A Novel {psi}-χ Fusion Protein for Unravelling the Contributions of χ to DNA Replication and Repair

This study demonstrates that while engineered {psi}-{chi} fusion proteins are biochemically active, they fail to restore AZT tolerance in *E. coli* because the drug resistance mechanism requires {chi} to dynamically interact with SSB and the YoaA helicase independently of its stable association within the DNA polymerase III clamp loader complex.

Padgett-Pagliai, K. A., Wimer, E., Grant, J. D. + 5 more2026-04-14⚗️ biochemistry

Structural Basis of Mitochondrial Transcription Regulation via Interactions of PolRMT and TFAM with Upstream Promoter DNA

This study elucidates how TFAM-induced promoter bending creates a transcription-stimulatory interface between PolRMT and upstream DNA, while a PolRMT tether helix acts as an autoinhibitory element to ensure promoter specificity, thereby defining the structural mechanisms governing mitochondrial transcription regulation.

Sharkey, R. E., Schroeder, C., Deng, X. + 3 more2026-04-12⚗️ biochemistry

Phosphorylation of UBE2J1 at serine residue S184 contributes towards infection and cellular syncytialization by Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

This study demonstrates that Vesicular Stomatitis Virus infection promotes the phosphorylation of UBE2J1 at serine residue S184, a modification that enhances both viral replication and cellular syncytialization, with soluble forms of the protein potentially playing an even more significant role in these processes.

Algoufi, N. D., Walsh, E. B., Fallata, Z. I. + 3 more2026-04-12⚗️ biochemistry

Competing forms of protein-protein association and DNA binding exhibited by BrxC from the BREX phage restriction system

This study reveals that the BrxC AAA+ ATPase protein in Type I BREX systems regulates the balance between host genome protection and phage restriction by forming competing self-associating and heteromeric complexes whose assembly and DNA-binding activities are modulated by ATP hydrolysis and interactions with BrxB and PglZ.

Kaiser, A. J., Readshaw, J. J., Doyle, L. A. + 13 more2026-04-11⚗️ biochemistry

Enzymatic Ligation Strategy to Enhance Electrospray Ionization Efficiency and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of DNA and RNA Oligonucleotides

This paper presents an enzymatic ligation strategy that attaches short, decyl-functionalized DNA oligonucleotides to RNA fragments to significantly enhance their electrospray ionization efficiency and liquid chromatography retention, thereby enabling more sensitive mass spectrometry characterization of low-abundance RNA samples and their modifications.

Sharin, M., Fitzgerald, N. J., Kennedy, S. M. + 2 more2026-04-11⚗️ biochemistry

Structural conservation and expanded functionality of hyper-stable human serum albumin variants

This study demonstrates that three extensively engineered, hyper-stable human serum albumin variants (hSA1, hSA2, and hSA3) produced in *E. coli* retain the native protein's structural integrity, FcRn-mediated recycling, and drug-binding capabilities while offering a sustainable, animal-free alternative for biotechnological and therapeutic applications.

De Felice, S., Buratto, C., Savio, A. + 9 more2026-04-11⚗️ biochemistry

Structural basis of substrate recognition for proteasome degradation by prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein ligase PafA

This study reveals that the prokaryotic ligase PafA achieves broad substrate specificity for proteasomal degradation through an ensemble-driven recognition mechanism, where dynamic conformational sampling and distributed structural contacts enable geometric compatibility with diverse substrates rather than relying on conserved sequence motifs.

Plourde, A., Uday, A. B., Forrester, T. J. B. + 2 more2026-04-11⚗️ biochemistry

Ubiquitylated H2A.Z is associated with diverse types of silenced chromatin including methylated CpG islands and homopurine/homopyrimidine sequences

This study demonstrates that monoubiquitylated H2A.Z (H2A.Zub) functions as a global transcriptional repressor by associating with diverse silenced chromatin states, including those marked by H3K27me3, DNA methylation at CpG islands, and homopurine/homopyrimidine sequences.

Taghizada, B., Ng, M. K., Braunschweig, U. + 2 more2026-04-10⚗️ biochemistry