Browse our latest Structural Biology and Molecular Biophysics articles

Structures of RNA polymerase I transcription machinery revealed a ratcheting motion within the complex in coordination with three distinct functional states, implicating a novel mechanism for promoter bubble opening in the absence of ATP hydrolysis.

Ex vivo characterization of the interaction of human sperm with semen factors reveals that semen amyloids, previously discovered due to their ability to enhance HIV infection, serve a physiological function by promoting disposal of the defective sperm.

A molecular model of the assembled COPI coat, determined by cryo-electron tomography of an in vitro reconstituted budding reaction, reveals details of interactions mediating coat assembly and shows the binding site of ArfGAP2.

Three dimensional reconstructions of the mechanical energy stores of jumping insects reveal how the miniaturized components interact and function.

A novel microscopy-based assay shows that dendritic cells encountering pathogenic stimuli form increased complexes of specific SNARE proteins, driving release of large amounts of inflammatory cytokines.

Novel evidence on the molecular determinants of the dual function, anion permeation and substrate transport, of excitatory amino acid transporters opens avenues toward illuminating how these transporters regulate synaptic function and contribute to neurological conditions.

Single particle cryoEM structure of antibody complex with HIV-1 envelope trimer reveals new mode of asymmetric recognition of trimer apex.

Biophysical and functional data strongly support the notion that Munc18-1 acts as a template to assemble the neuronal SNARE complex, and that inhibition of this activity underlies diverse forms of regulation of neurotransmitter release.

Short peptides that bind tightly to anti-apoptotic protein Bfl-1 but not other Bcl-2 family members provide a tool for diagnosing cancer cell survival mechanisms and a lead for developing new therapeutics.

The COPII coat protein, in association with p24 machinery molecules, actively excludes misfolded and resident proteins from endoplasmic reticulum-derived transport vesicles.