4/ We propose that this conserved architecture reveals a strategy for metabolic compartmentalization that couples efficient catalysis with increased molecular robustness.
3/ Structure-guided perturbation abolishes the assembly in vivo without measurably altering intrinsic catalytic activity, suggesting that the main role of the assembly is spatial organization rather than allosteric regulation.
2/ Urate oxidase homotetramers assemble into helical fibers that laterally tile into a stable, porous lamellar scaffold. This organization preserves accessible surface area while allowing substrate and product exchange.
Excited to share our new study:
rRNA expansion segments are not passive structural elements — they mediate hibernating ribosome interfaces and reshape translation under stress. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
Preprint with new server~ Using in situ cryo-ET, we identify a previously uncharacterized higher-order architecture of urate oxidase in mouse liver.
langtaosha.org.cn/lts/en/prepr...
The peer reviewed version is out. Our study suggests this process is not limited to a single dimer architecture: we identified an additional dimeric arrangement, pointing to greater structural diversity in stress-induced ribosome hibernation-like states. doi.org/10.1093/nar/...
It is exciting to see closely related biology highlighted in a recent Science paper as well, underscoring the importance of this field. science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Excited to share what we uncovered using in-tissue cryo-ET in mouse liver: a structural snapshot of lipid droplet biogenesis in situ. Timely reading—particularly after a lipid-rich Chinese New Year😂 The lipid homeostasis story governed by CLCC1 with more details here: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
How do cells trigger an antiviral response so quickly? 🤔 Our new paper proposes an "Intermitochondrial Activation" model. By visualizing MAVS with Cryo-ET, we saw that activated mitochondria use MAVS fibrils to "fish" for dormant mitochondria, spreading the alarm signal fast. doi.org/10.1038/s414...
But it’s self-limiting! We found that fibrils "stuck" between mitochondria are inaccessible to downstream signaling proteins (IRF3/TBK1), preventing immune overactivation. A perfect structural control mechanism. #TEAMTOMO #Immunology #Mitochondria