MP
Structures and mechanism of the AUX/LAX transporters involved in auxin import.
Ung KL, Schulz L, Zuzic L, Amsinck BL, Koutnik-Abele S, Benhammouche I, Andersen CG, Nel L, Schiøtt B, Stokes DL, Hammes UZ, Pedersen BP.
Nat Plants. 2025 Aug 4.
doi: 10.1038/s41477-025-02056-z. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40759769.
Cryo‑EM structures of plant AUX/LAX transporters => architecture of auxin importers + key elements for proton‑coupled IAA uptake.
Mapping of substrate and proton pathways + identification of residues that tune specificity and transport efficiency.
Mutational analyses validate the structural mechanism by linking conserved motifs to transport activity in cells.
Oligomer-based functions of mitochondrial porin.
Takeda H, Shinoda S, Goto C, Tsutsumi A, Sakaue H, Zhang C, Hirashima T, Konishi Y, Ono H, Yamamori Y, Tomii K, Shiino H, Tamura Y, Zuttion S, Senger B, Friant S, Becker HD, Araiso Y, Kobayashi N, Kodera N, Kikkawa M, Endo T.
Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 25;16(1):6854.
doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-62021-4.
PMID: 40715117.
Hexameric assembly of yeast mitochondrial porin (VDAC/Por1)
=> oligomerization underlies functions beyond simple metabolite diffusion.
Cryo‑EM suggests how oligomers participate in apoptosis‑related signaling. Biochemistry => state‑dependent transitions between monomeric and higher‑order forms.
Structure of human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier MPC1 and MPC2 complex.
Sun Y, Wang Y, Xing Z, Li D, Wang R, Chen B, Zhou N, Ayala A, Tu BP, Qi X.
Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 21;16(1):6700.
doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-61939-z.
PMID: 40691140.
Cryo‑EM of human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier in intermembrane‑space / open and matrix‑open states => heterodimeric MPC1–MPC2 complex.
Inhibitor‑bound structures => conformational gating.
Structures of Chaetomium thermophilum TOM complexes with bound preproteins.
Agip AA, Ornelas P, Yang TJ, Uboldi E, Häder S, McDowell MA, Kühlbrandt W.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Jul 22;122(29):e2507279122.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.2507279122. Epub 2025 Jul 17.
PMID: 40674418.
Structures of Chaetomium thermophilum TOM complexes in the presence od in the absence of preproteins => symmetric arrangement of dual Tom20 receptors + conformational flexibility.
Presequence binding => Tom20 conformations ”choreograph” early translocation steps.
The core channel remains stable while receptor dynamics adapt to cargo.
Structural basis of lipopolysaccharide translocon assembly mediated by the small lipoprotein LptM.
Miyazaki R, Kimoto M, Kohga H, Tsukazaki T.
Cell Rep. 2025 Jul 15;44(8):116013.
doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116013. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40674207.
OM lipoprotein LptM is shown to mediate assembly of the LPS translocon by engaging LptD/E and promoting their maturation.
Structural and biochemical analyses: LptM mimics LPS contacts to stabilize assembly intermediates.
Disruption of LptM interactions impairs LPS transport.
A heterotrimeric protein complex assembles the metazoan V-ATPase upon dissipation of proton gradients.
Nardone C, Mintseris J, He D, Rutter JC, Ebert BL, Gygi SP, Rapoport T.
Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2025 Jul 11.
doi: 10.1038/s41594-025-01610-9. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40646309.
Upon dissipation of proton gradients, an heterotrimeric protein complex assembles the metazoan V‑ATPase => energy‑sensing assembly pathway.
Complex = regulated chaperone coordinating subunit association when ΔpH is lost.
=> dedicated assembly route coupling organelle acidification to pump biogenesis.
Consensus structure prediction of A. thaliana’s MCTP4 structure using prediction tools and coarse grained simulations of transmembrane domain dynamics.
Sritharan S, Versini R, Petit JD, Bayer EE, Taly A.
PLoS One. 2025 Jul 15;20(7):e0326993.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326993. eCollection 2025.
PMID: 40663537.
Multiple deep‑learning predictors + coarse‑grained MD => consensus model for Arabidopsis MCTP4’s ER‑anchoring TM region that comprises 2 helical hairpins + amphipathic helices.
Simulations => a flexible, non‑rigid anchor whose dynamics may regulate organelle tethering.
Two stages of substrate discrimination dictate selectivity in the E. coli MetNI-Q ABC transporter system.
Yang JG, Chen HY, Guardado JH, Gardner M, Foronda MS.
J Biol Chem. 2025 Jul 17:110493.
doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2025.110493. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40683449.
MetQ binding and MetNI translocation => selectivity in the MetNI‑Q methionine ABC importer.
MetQ binds L‑ and D‑Met but kinetic and structural analyses explain the strong in vivo preference for L‑Met.
proteoliposome transport assays + biophysical measurements => SBP affinity versus transporter gating.
ATP synthesis driven by atmospheric hydrogen concentrations.
Soom S, Moning SU, Cook GM, Lingford JP, Kropp A, Tran S, Grinter R, Greening C, von Ballmoos C.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Jul 29;122(30):e2506353122.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.2506353122. Epub 2025 Jul 24.
PMID: 40705430.
Reconstitution of a minimal respiratory chain driven by high‑affinity hydrogenase => trace‑gas oxidation can sustain a proton‑motive force and power ATP synthase in air.
Biochemical and bioenergetic measurements quantify coupling efficiency across ultra‑low H₂ concentrations.
X-ray diffraction images for two membrane protein crystals presenting high anisotropy; the B. subtilis ABC transporter BmrA and the S. pneumoniae NADPH oxidase.
Zampieri V, Vermot A, Thepaut M, Petit-Hartlein I, Fieschi F, Falson P, Chaptal V.
IUCrdata. 2025 Jul 4;10(Pt 7):x250591.
doi: 10.1107/S2414314625005917. eCollection 2025 Jul.
PMID: 40777615.
Raw diffraction images from two highly anisotropic MP crystals: BmrA and pneumococcal NADPH oxidase.
Datasets illustrate anisotropy patterns and provide benchmarks for processing strategies.
No two are alike: on the role of Klebsiella pneumoniae permeability barriers in antibiotic susceptibility and persistence.
Leus IV, Zgurskaya HI.
Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2025 Aug 6;69(8):e0008525.
doi: 10.1128/aac.00085-25. Epub 2025 Jun 17.
PMID: 40525411.
Review how OM porins, LPS, capsule, and efflux collectively shape antibiotic susceptibility and persistence in Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Comparative analyses with E. coli => species‑specific differences in accumulation and efflux.
Media composition and compound physicochemistry modulate barrier contributions.
A Tumor-Specific Membrane Protein Degradation Platform via Covalent Reaction-Induced Aggregation.
Xu Y, Zhang Y, Song B, Liu Y, Hao Y, Duan Z, Qiao ZY, Wang H.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2025 Aug 7.
doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c09287. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40773662.
CMPATACs = covalent membrane‑protein aggregate‑targeting chimeras.
=> trigger receptor‑independent lysosomal degradation of tumor MPs.
Demonstrations with degradation of HER2, EGFR, EphA2, and ALP with improved anticancer activity.
The Latent Membrane Protein 1 (LMP1): Biological Functions and Molecular Mechanisms.
Kieser A.
Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2025 Aug 8.
doi: 10.1007/82_2025_321. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40773109.
Review of current knowledge on EBV LMP1.
Details how its signaling motifs engage NF‑κB, MAPK, PI3K, IRF, and STAT pathways via post‑translational modifications.
LMP1 = central interface in virus–host interactions driving transformation and immune evasion.
Membranes
Evaluation of aquaporin Z water permeability in bilayers using droplet interface systems with internal-pressure-defined membrane tension.
Ueki M, Maki T, Iwamoto M.
Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr. 2025 Jun;1867(5-6):184425.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2025.184425. Epub 2025 May 21.
PMID: 40409660.
Quantification of AqpZ water permeability under controlled membrane tension, using droplet‑interface bilayers with precisely defined internal pressure.
=> tension‑dependent modulation of channel conductance independent of gating artifacts.
Influence of lipid saturation on the structural properties of styrene maleic acid lipid nanoparticles (SMALPs).
Okorafor EA, Gordon EA, Sahu ID, Shah MZ, Konkolewicz D, Lorigan GA.
Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr. 2025 Jun;1867(5-6):184424.
doi: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2025.184424. Epub 2025 May 22.
PMID: 40412742.
CW‑EPR and DLS => lipid saturation and SMA hydrophobicity reshape SMALP ND order and fluidity.
Fully saturated DSPC and longer SMA tails yield more rigid, ordered assemblies.
Depth‑resolved spin labels show position‑specific alterations across the bilayer.
The hit-and-run of cell wall synthesis: LpoB transiently binds and activates PBP1b through a conserved allosteric switch.
Shlosman I, Vettiger A, Bernhardt TG, Kruse AC, Loparo JJ.
Nat Commun. 2025 Jul 21;16(1):6723.
doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-62051-y.
PMID: 40691462.
Single‑molecule and structural analyses show that E. coli LpoB activates PBP1b through transient binding that allosterically switches the synthase on.
The interaction is short‑lived yet sufficient to stimulate PG synthesis, decoupling activation from stable complex formation.
Explains how low‑abundance OM lipoproteins can coordinate cell‑wall assembly efficiently.
The lateral stress profile of fluid lipid membranes as revealed by the diffuse interface approach.
Bottacchiari M, Gallo M, Bussoletti M, Casciola CM.
Biophys J. 2025 Aug 5:S0006-3495(25)00490-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2025.07.041. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40770880.
Diffuse‑interface theoretical framework to compute lateral stress profiles in fluid membranes.
Reproduces metastable hemifusion intermediates and links elastic constants to stress distribution.
Membrane Partition and Structural Reorganization Induced by Antipsychotics with Distinct Clinical Profiles.
Gorse A, Yordanova V, Bodosa J, Mathelié-Guinlet M, Walrant A, Taib-Mamaar N, Grélard A, François-Martin C, Baccouch R, Rascol E, Salgado GF, Moreno MJ, Bastos M, Klauda JB, Staneva G, Nuss P, Alves ID.
ACS Chem Neurosci. 2025 Aug 6.
doi: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5c00339. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40767439.
A panel of antipsychotics => differential partitioning into model membranes and induces drug‑specific lipid reorganization.
Biophysical studies correlate membrane remodeling with pharmacodynamic traits.
Nonsubstrate PI(4,5)P2 interacts with the interdomain linker to control electrochemical coupling in voltage-sensing phosphatase (VSP).
Mizutani N, Yonezawa Y, Nakagawa A, Okamura Y.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Aug 5;122(31):e2500651122.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.2500651122. Epub 2025 Jul 29.
PMID: 40729387.
non‑substrate PI(4,5)P₂ binds the VSD–catalytic‑region linker to stabilize electrochemical coupling, independent of catalytic turnover.
Fluorescent unnatural aa probes and MD => conserved Tyr and basic residues mediating the interaction.
Molecules
Highly phase-separated alternating copolymer of alkyl vinyl ether and sulfonic acid group-containing trifluoro vinyl ether.
Hori K, Miyanishi S, Yamaguchi T.
RSC Adv. 2025 Aug 6;15(34):27924-27932.
doi: 10.1039/d5ra04403k. eCollection 2025 Aug 1.
PMID: 40772011
Alternating copolymers of perfluorosulfonic acid–containing trifluorovinyl ether and alkyl vinyl ethers => self‑assembly into lamellae with strong phase separation.
Enables tunable ion‑transport pathways.
Microbio
Precision Mapping of Direct Membrane Protein Interactions via Binding-Induced DNA Barcode Transfer Labeling.
Li W, Chen X, Wen N, Chen Z, Yang W, Guo W, Zhang Q, Wang Z, Zhai X, Qiu L, Tan W.
Nano Lett. 2025 Aug 4.
doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c03014. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 40758411.
Binding‑induced DNA‑barcode transfer assay that maps direct membrane / protein interactions at cell / cell interfaces.
1:1 transfer improves specificity over diffusible reporters and enables spatially resolved interaction readouts.
Dynamic Regulation of Efflux Pump Protein AcrA by Quorum Sensing System to Improve Free Fatty Acids Production in Escherichia coli.
Fang L, Wen P, Zhang J, Cao Y.
Biotechnol Bioeng. 2025 Sep;122(9):2499-2510.
doi: 10.1002/bit.29041. Epub 2025 May 29.
PMID: 40443020.
Engineering E. coli with QS control of acrA expression => enhance export and titers of free FA.
An auto‑induced circuit boosts extracellular FFAs while maintaining growth and membrane integrity.
Synergistic effects of antibiotics and efflux pump inhibitors on multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Devi BT, Aditya V, Kini S, Kumar BK, Deekshit VK.
J Appl Microbiol. 2025 Jul 1;136(7):lxaf169.
doi: 10.1093/jambio/lxaf169.
PMID: 40613831.
Screening combinations of antibiotics with EPIs against MDR E. coli and K. pneumoniae => synergistic pairs that lower MICs.
The extent of synergy varies by species and compound class, underscoring diverse efflux landscapes.
Miscellaneous
Vaccination with mRNA-encoded membrane-anchored HIV envelope trimers elicited tier 2 neutralizing antibodies in a phase 1 clinical trial.
Parks KR, Moodie Z, Allen MA, Yen C, Furch BD, MacPhee KJ, Ozorowski G, Heptinstall J, Hahn WO, Zheng Z, Lu H, Grant S, Domin E, Duff MO, Seese A, Marini-Macouzet C, Ballweber-Fleming L, Lee WH, Cottrell CA, Liguori A, Georgeson E, Alavi N, Kubitz M, Phelps N, Seaton KE, Cohen KW, Anderson MA, Mondal K, Laufer DS, Kublin JG, Ward AB, Hyrien O, De Rosa SC, Himansu S, Leav B, Reuter C, Tomaras GD, Montefiori D, Walsh SR, Frank I, Sobieszczyk ME, Goepfert PA, Stephenson KE, Baden LR, Van Tieu H, Keefer MC, Clark J, Riddler SA, Schief WR, McElrath MJ.
Sci Transl Med. 2025 Jul 30;17(809):eady6831.
doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.ady6831. Epub 2025 Jul 30.
PMID: 40737434.
Two vaccine candidates that use mRNA technology elicit a potent immune response against HIV. These vaccines use mRNA to instruct a cell to make proteins called envelope proteins that are attached to the cell membrane — similar to how they are found in live HIV. In a small trial, some 80% of the participants who received three doses of either of the vaccines went on to produce antibodies that could block that protein from entering cells.
How the brain wakes up from sleep – and produces that morning feeling.
Kavanagh K.
Nature. 2025 Jul 17.
doi: 10.1038/d41586-025-02225-2. Epub ahead of print.
PMID: 40676232.
When we wake from the dream-laden phase of sleep, the brain boots up step by step. The first brain regions to rouse are those associated with executive function and decision-making, located at the front of the head. A wave of wakefulness then spreads to the back, ending with an area associated with vision. This precise understanding of how the brain transitions from slumber to alertness could help to manage sleep inertia — the grogginess that many people feel when hitting the snooze button.
Global earthquake detection and warning using Android phones.
Allen RM, Barski A, Berman M, Bosch R, Cho Y, Jiang XS, Lee YL, Malkos S, Mousavi SM, Robertson P, Spooner B, Stogaitis M, Thiruverahan N, Wimpey G.
Science. 2025 Jul 17;389(6757):254-259.
doi: 10.1126/science.ads4779. Epub 2025 Jul 17.
PMID: 40674485.
Between 2021 and 2024, Google harnessed motion sensors on more than two billion smartphones to detect earthquakes, and then sent automated warnings to millions of people in 98 countries. Google scientists say the system performed on par with standard seismometers. “It’s very impressive: most countries don’t have an earthquake early-warning system, and this can help provide that service,” says seismologist Allen Husker. But, Husker says, he would feel better if Google would provide independent scientists with more access to the data and algorithms.
Made-to-order DNA goes big: new tech doubles size of custom genetic sequences.
Seydel C.
Nature. 2025 Jul;643(8073):1146-1147.
doi: 10.1038/d41586-025-02261-y.
PMID: 40696021.
Scientists are perfecting their methods for making industrial volumes of custom DNA — the raw material of synthetic biology. Advances in both enzymatic and chemical synthesis are making it easier to generate highly repetitive or complex sequences. Ultimately this could help tackle a range of challenges, from cleaning up pollutants with designer bacteria to the creation of bespoke gene therapies.