Category: Science Highlights

Exploring the Repeat Protein Universe through Computational Protein Design

The facilities and staff at the SYBILS beamline contributed to this breakthrough study exploring the extent to which naturally occurring proteins sample the space of folded structures accessible to the polypeptide chain. Naturally occurring proteins–chains of amino acids that fold into functional, three-dimensional shapes–are believed to represent just a small fraction of the universe of…
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Structural Basis for Marburg Virus Neutralization by a Cross-Reactive Human Antibody

The facilities and staff at the SIBYLS beamline contributed to this recent structural study of a human antibody that is able to neutralize Marburg and Ebola viruses. >The filoviruses, including Marburg and Ebola, express a single glycoprotein on their surface, termed GP, which is responsible for attachment and entry of target cells. Filovirus GPs differ…
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Protein flexibility linked to severity of Lou Gerhig’s disease

SAXS and MX data collected at SIBYLS enabled insights into protein flexibility in one of the proteins involved in Lou Gerigh’s disease. The results were recently published in PNAS and have been highlighted by [Today At Berkeley Lab](http://newscenter.lbl.gov/2014/10/13/berkeley-lab-and-scripps-research-institute-scientists-link-als-progression-to-increased-protein-instability/) and and [Daily Cal](http://www.dailycal.org/2014/10/16/berkeley-lab-scripps-institute-propose-cause-als/). >Protein framework alterations in heritable Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) mutants cause misassembly…
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SAXS and EM used to determine structure of Gold Nanopartice

Recently in Science: >Structure determination of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is necessary for understanding their physical and chemical properties, but only one AuNP larger than 1 nanometer in diameter [a 102-gold atom NP (Au102NP)] has been solved to atomic resolution. Whereas the Au102NP structure was determined by x-ray crystallography, other large AuNPs have proved refractory to…
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Practical High-throughput SAXS

A new publication is available that describes practical aspects of collecting High-throughput SAXS data at the SIBYLS beamline, with a focus on challenging low concentration samples. Additional practical advice is laid out with respect to interpreting the resulting data. Dyer KN, Hammel M, Rambo RP, Tsutakawa SE, Rodic I, Classen S, Tainer JA, Hura GL.…
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How a Shape-shifting DNA-repair Machine Fights Cancer

The SIBYLS beamline was instrumental in providing key structural data for two recent publications exploring the dynamic nature of DNA repair. >The Mre11‐Rad50 complex is highly conserved, yet the mechanisms by which Rad50 ATP‐driven states regulate the sensing, processing and signaling of DNA double‐strand breaks are largely unknown. Here we design structure‐based mutations in Pyrococcus…
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Nanogold labels used to characterize DNA bending in mismatch repair

Greg Hura and colleagues developed and applied nanogold labels for DNA complexes with proteins examined by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to follow DNA conformations acting in error detection by the mismatch repair (MMR) system in solution. This technique can examine short or long pieces of DNA and in most solution conditions, including those closest…
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New crystal structures of translocating ribosome

Several new crystal structures of the 70S ribosome in complex with EFG and non-hydrolyzable GTP analogs have revealed how the ribosome directionally translocates mRNA and the tRNAs through the A, P, and E sites and how specific features of EFG and ribosomal RNA act as pawls to enforce this ratcheting mechanism. The new structures were…
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