Y. Itoh

Molecular basis of ligand promiscuity, structural mimicry, and atypical dimerization in the chemokine receptors

This study investigates ligand promiscuity and signaling bias in chemokine receptors by analyzing binding modes and determining cryo-EM structures of receptor-ligand complexes.

Importin-7-dependent nuclear localization of the Flavivirus core protein is required for infectious virus production.

This study identifies importin-7 as a nuclear carrier for Flaviviridae core proteins and shows its requirement for infectious virus production.

Degradomic identification of membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP/MMP14) as an ADAMTS9 and ADAMTS20 substrate

This study identifies ADAMTS9 and ADAMTS20 as substrates of MT1-MMP using N-terminomics, showing their role in regulating MT1-MMP activity and cell-surface function.

Structure of mitoribosome reveals mechanism of mRNA binding, tRNA interactions with L1 stalk, roles of cofactors and rRNA modifications

The paper presents a high-resolution structure of the human mitoribosome, revealing mechanisms of mRNA binding, tRNA interactions, and roles of cofactors and rRNA modifications.

An engineered ACE2 decoy broadly neutralizes Omicron subvariants and shows therapeutic effect in SARS-CoV-2-infected cynomolgus macaques

This paper shows an engineered ACE2 decoy neutralizes Omicron subvariants and is effective in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in macaques.

METTL17 is an Fe-S cluster checkpoint for mitochondrial translation

The paper identifies METTL17 as an Fe-S cluster checkpoint that regulates mitochondrial translation and bioenergetics in the absence of frataxin.

Onecut1 partially contributes to liver progenitor cell transition and acquisition of metastatic potential in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Increased mitochondrial Ca2+ contributes to health decline with age and Duchene muscular dystrophy in C. elegans.

This study shows that reducing mitochondrial calcium influx in C. elegans improves age-related and muscular dystrophy muscle decline by mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction.

Fc-modified SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with therapeutic effects in two animal models.

The paper develops Fc-modified SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies effective against variants, showing reduced viral titers and lung damage in animal models.

Structural basis of LRPPRC-SLIRP-dependent translation by the mitoribosome

The paper determines the cryo-EM structure of LRPPRC-SLIRP complex with mRNA and mitoribosome, showing its role in mRNA delivery and translation regulation.

An attenuated vaccinia vaccine encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein elicits broad and durable immune responses, and protects cynomolgus macaques and human ACE2 transgenic mice from SARS-CoV-2 and its variants

This study develops a vaccinia-based vaccine encoding SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that induces broad and durable immunity, protecting against multiple variants in non-human primates and transgenic mice.

Mmp14 is required for matrisome homeostasis and circadian rhythm in fibroblasts

This study shows that Mmp14 regulates circadian rhythms and matrisome homeostasis in tendon fibroblasts by controlling collagen fibril synthesis and crosslinking.

Differences in environmental stability among SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: Omicron has higher stability

This study compares the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 variants, finding Omicron has the longest survival time on surfaces and is more resistant to ethanol than the Wuhan strain.

Engineered ACE2 counteracts vaccine-evading SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

This paper shows engineered ACE2 neutralizes Omicron and other sarbecoviruses effectively despite its high number of spike mutations.

Coordination of KIF3A and KIF13A regulates leading edge localization of MT1-MMP in cancer cells

The paper identifies KIF3A and KIF13A coordination in transporting MT1-MMP vesicles to the leading edge, inhibiting cancer cell invasion when knocked down.

Optimization of an LNP-mRNA vaccine candidate targeting SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain

This study optimizes an LNP-mRNA vaccine targeting SARS-CoV-2 RBD by removing reactogenic materials, improving immunogenicity and protection in macaques.

SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 disturbs nucleocytoplasmic trafficking to advance the viral replication

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 ORF6 disrupts nucleocytoplasmic trafficking by inhibiting STAT1 nuclear translocation and binding importin 1, enhancing viral replication, particularly in older individuals.

High affinity modified ACE2 receptors protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters

The paper engineers high-affinity ACE2 receptors to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in hamsters, showing protection against infection without viral escape mutations.

Neutralizing antibody-dependent and -independent immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 in cynomolgus macaques

This study examines immune responses in cynomolgus macaques infected with SARS-CoV-2, showing both neutralizing antibodies and IFN-γ-producing T-cells contribute to viral clearance.

An SNP variant MT1-MMP with a defect in its collagenolytic activity confers the fibrotic phenotype of Dupuytren's Disease

This study identifies an SNP variant in MMP14 that reduces collagenolytic activity, contributing to the fibrotic phenotype of Dupuytren's Disease.

Analysis of translating mitoribosome reveals functional characteristics of translation in mitochondria of fungi

The paper models the translating fungal mitoribosome and its assembly intermediate, revealing mechanisms of mRNA binding, tRNA translocation, and nascent polypeptide exit.