Warwicker J

Activation of p53: How phosphorylated Ser15 triggers sequential phosphorylation of p53 at Thr18 by CK1δ

The N-terminal transactivation domain (TAD) of p53 is a disordered region with multiple phosphorylation sites. Phosphorylation at Thr18 is crucial for the release of p53 from its negative regulator, MDM2.

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Activation of p53: how phosphorylated Ser15 triggers sequential phosphorylation of p53 at Thr18 by CK1δ

The N-terminal transactivation domain (TAD) of p53 is a disordered region with multiple phosphorylation sites. Phosphorylation at Thr18 is crucial for the release of p53 from its negative regulator, MDM2. In stressed cells, CK1δ is responsible for phosphorylating Thr18, but requires Ser15 to be phosphorylated.

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Uncovering cryptic pockets in the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a rapid response in vaccine and drug development. Herein, we modeled a complete membrane-embedded SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and used molecular dynamics simulations with benzene probes designed to enhance discovery of cryptic pockets.

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PhosIDP: a web tool to visualize the location of phosphorylation sites in disordered regions

Charge is a key determinant of intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) and intrinsically disordered region (IDR) properties. IDPs and IDRs are enriched in sites of phosphorylation, which alters charge. Visualizing the degree to which phosphorylation modulates the charge profile of a sequence would assist in the functional interpretation of IDPs and IDRs.

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A benzene-mapping approach for uncovering cryptic pockets in membrane-bound proteins

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in combination with small organic probes present in the solvent have previously been used as a method to reveal cryptic pockets that may not have been identified in experimental structures. We report such a method implemented within the CHARMM forcefield to effectively explore cryptic pockets on the surfaces of membrane-embedded proteins using benzene as a probe molecule.

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Energetic Fingerprinting of Ligand Binding to Paralogous Proteins: The Case of the Apoptotic Pathway

Networks of biological molecules are key to cellular function, governing processes ranging from signal cascade propagation to metabolic pathway regulation. Genetic duplication processes give rise to sets of regulatory proteins that have evolved from a common ancestor, leading to interactomes whose dysregulation is often associated with disease. A better understanding of the determinants of specificity at 21 interfaces shared by functionally related proteins is crucial to the rational design of novel pharmacotherapeutic agents.

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