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The trRosetta neural network was used to iteratively optimise model proteins from random 100-amino-acid sequences, resulting in ‘hallucinated’ proteins, which when expressed in bacteria closely resembled the model structures.

RNA binding protein HDLBP (or Vigilin) localizes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Here the authors show that HDLBP contributes to translation of ER-targeted mRNAs.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) elicits the signalling function after dimerization and activation of its kinase activity and perturbations in this pathway are often found in cancer. Here the authors describe two distinct and mutually exclusive modes of EGFR signalling due to a switch of EGFR-associated proteins with the ligand.

This study identifies EFHC1 as a microtubule-associated protein that regulates neuronal cell division and migration. Mutations in EHC1 have been linked to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

A genome-wide screen has identified a frequent region of amplification on chromosome 5p13 in a number of cancer types. Functional studies now identify a protein localized to the Golgi apparatus, GOLPH3, as a novel oncogene affected by this amplification which can transform cells in vitro and lead to tumour formation in vivo. GOLPH3 overexpression activates the mTOR signalling pathway and renders cancer cells sensitive to the drug rapamycin.

Hayabusa holds lessons for future sample-return missions.

Canon et al. offer insights into the auto-inhibition and activation of the minus-end directed motor myosin VI. The work highlights how differential relief of auto-inhibition allows for fine control of myosin VI activity in vivo.

Trapped ion mobility (TIMS)-mass spectrometry with parallel accumulation-serial fragmentation (PASEF) facilitates high-sensitivity proteomics experiments. Here, the authors expand TIMS and PASEF to small molecules and demonstrate fast and comprehensive lipidomics of low biological sample amounts.

IRSp53 is a key regulator of filopodia formation and cell migration. Here, the authors elucidate a mechanism of phosphorylation-dependent inhibition of IRSp53 by 14-3-3, which impedes the interactions of IRSp53 with membranes and downstream cytoskeletal effectors.

A technique for the de novo design of switchable protein systems controlled by induced conformational change is demonstrated for three functional motifs, in vitro and in yeast and mammalian cells.

Baker, Marcos and colleagues analyze β-arches (loops connecting unpaired β-strands) and derive rules used for de novo design of a hyperthermostable jellyroll structure, with eight antiparallel β-strands forming double-stranded β-helices.

In retroviruses, the capsid protein (CA) forms a shell surrounding the viral core. Here the authors combine cryo-electron microscopy with NMR and X-ray crystallography to examine the CA structure from the human endogenous retrovirus HML2 (HERV-K) and determine the structures of four Fullerene CA closed shells that reveal the molecular basis of capsid assembly.

Structural analyses of fibrils formed by segments from human TDP-43 RRM2 reveal extensive packing and positional polymorphism.

Using a multi-OMICS approach, Haas et al identify 54 human genes and 16 host-targeting chemical compounds that regulate influenza A virus infection in lung epithelial cells, including AHNAK and COBP1 which are also essential for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Genetic and functional studies implicate allele-specific regulation of OAS1 splicing and nonsense-mediated decay in COVID-19 severity. The OAS1 risk haplotype is also associated with reduced SARS-CoV-2 clearance in a clinical trial with pegIFN-λ1.

Cheng et al. demonstrate that an extra copy of the X-linked epigenetic regulator UTX in females increases natural killer (NK) cell effector function. As NK cells are critical for antiviral immunity, this may explain decreased severity of viral infections in females compared to males.

Molecular systems with coincident cyclic and superhelical symmetry axes have considerable advantages for materials design as they can be lengthened or shortened by changing the length of the monomers. Now a systematic approach to generate modular repeat protein oligomers with combined symmetry that can be extended by repeat propagation has been developed.

Staphylococcal biofilm formation is promoted by the surface protein SasG. Here, the authors characterize the structure and remarkable mechanical strength of the repeat region of SasG, and show how elongation is achieved by obligate folding of the disordered regions within the repeating units.

The transmembrane export apparatus regulates protein secretion through bacterial type III secretion systems. New structural data indicate that MxiA, a major component of the apparatus, assembles in a nonameric ring. This and additional structural information provide a framework for understanding how protein secretion is controlled.

Phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau is associated with disease, but other post-translational modifications of tau are not well studied. Here, Cohenet al. study the acetylation of tau and suggest that this form of the protein may be associated with tauopathies.

New agonists of the serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor (5-HT_2AR) confer high brain permeability and antidepressant activity and—in contrast to classic 5-HT_2AR agonists—lack psychedelic activity.

Formation of the mitotic checkpoint complex (MCC) is catalysed by a phosphorylation-dependent scaffold. This work provides structural details of how a tripartite Mad1:Bub1:Cdc20 complex presents Cdc20 to Mad2, triggering open-to-closed conversion of Mad2 to assemble the MCC.

Confusion surrounds cause of veterans' ill-health

A chemical genomics approach was used to identify regulators of drug sensitivity for pyrvinium, a cytotoxic agent with anti-cancer potential, revealing mitochondrial complex I sensitivities and a role for C1orf115 in regulating ABCB1 activity.

Arrigoni et al. present non-canonical voltage-gated ion channel pore domain (PD) structures demonstrating that the PD is an autonomously folded unit found in diverse proteins and show that PDs can adopt non-canonical forms in full-length channels.

The transfer of a phosphate group from a CDP-linked donor to an acceptor alcohol is catalysed by CDP-alcohol phosphotransferases. Here, Sciara et al. report crystal structures of a CDP-alcohol phosphotransferase, define roles of conserved residues and propose a mechanism of action for this protein family.

The mucus layer is an important physical niche within the gut which harbours a distinct microbial community. Here the authors show that specific carbohydrate-binding modules associated with bacterial carbohydrate-active enzymes are mucus adhesins that target regions of the distal colon rich in sialomucins.

Saliency maps have been proposed to guide visual attention, yet the underlying neural correlates remain undetermined. Here, the authors record from monkeys as they watch videos of natural scenes, and find superior colliculus superficial visual-layer neurons exhibit activity patterns consistent with a visual saliency map.

Unphosphorylated PINK1 of Pediculus humanus corporis forms a dimerized state before undergoing trans-autophosphorylation, and phosphorylated PINK1 undergoes a conformational change in the N-lobe to produce its phosphorylated, ubiquitin-binding state.

The post-translational modification O-GlcNAc on amyloid-forming proteins can inhibit their aggregation. Now, it has been shown that O-GlcNAc modification of small heat shock proteins HSP27, αA- and αB-crystallin can increase their anti-amyloid activity and block the amyloid formation of both α-synuclein and Aβ(1–42). A mechanism for this protective effect based on decreased physical interactions is also proposed.

The cryo-electron microscopy structure of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-loading complex—a complex in which Hsp70 loads GR onto Hsp90 and Hop—is described, providing insights into how the chaperones Hsp90 and Hsp70 coordinate to facilitate GR remodelling for activation.

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, unchecked proliferation of Ty1 retrotransposons is controlled by the process of copy number control (CNC), which requires the p22/p18 protein, translated from an internal transcript within the Ty1 GAG gene. Here, the authors present the 2.8 Å crystal structure of a minimal p18 from Ty1-Gag that is able to restrict Ty1 transposition and identify two dimer interfaces in p18, whose roles were probed by mutagenesis both in vitro and in vivo. As p22/p18 contains only one of two conserved domains required for retroelement Gag assembly, they propose that p22/p18-Gag interactions block the Ty1 virus-like particle assembly pathway, resulting in defective particles incapable of supporting retrotransposition.

The mechanism behind Trim-Away, a protein-depletion approach using E3 ligase, TRIM21 and an antibody against the target, is now clarified, allowing expansion of the toolbox.

Adoptive cell therapy with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in metastatic lung cancer patients is safe and elicits antitumor activity, including ongoing complete responses, in association with polyclonal T cell responses against tumor antigens.

To increase the chances of stumbling on existing drugs that can double as brain treatments, a systematic search is needed, says David Nutt.

Decade-long study involving 21 million smallholders shows how evidence-based approaches could improve food security.

A cryo-electron microscopy structure of the yeast pheromone receptor Ste2, a class D G-protein-coupled receptor, in its active state reveals that Ste2 is a homodimer that couples to two G proteins.

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) limit the aggregation of proteins, such as tau. Here the authors show that Hsp27 recognizes two aggregation-prone regions of tau and that this interaction competes with Hsp27 oligomerization.

Porcupine (PORCN) is an endoplasmic reticulum-resident membrane-bound O-acyltransferase that plays a crucial role in Wnt signalling and is as a therapeutic target for Wnt-driven cancers. Here, the authors use cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate the structures of human PORCN with inhibitors, uncovering key interactions mediating inhibitor binding and catalysis.

A PROTAC termed P4B targeting BRAF V600E mutant has been developed, which displays enhanced inhibitory function in cell lines carrying BRAF mutations that impart resistance to conventional BRAF inhibitors.

Adenine base editors are evolved to be more efficient and more compatible with Cas9 variants.