Biophysics

Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of ABHD5 Membrane Targeting

1. Amit Kumar
2. Matthew Sanders
3. Huamei Zhang
4. Li Zhou
5. Shahnaz Parveen
6. Miriam C Jensen
7. Thomas JD Jørgensen
8. Christopher V Kelly
9. James G Granneman
10. Yu-ming M Huang

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This study makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of how the lipase regulator ABHD5 may control lipase activity through interactions with lipid droplets and cellular membranes. By combining multiscale molecular dynamics simulations with experimental approaches, the authors provide novel molecular insights into this membrane-protein interaction and present evidence suggesting that the regulatory mechanism depends on protein conformational changes and local membrane remodeling. While much of the evidence supporting the main conclusions is convincing, several aspects of the analysis, interpretation, and discussion remain incomplete. Overall, this work will be of interest to structural and molecular biologists working on lipid metabolism and membrane biophysics.

Reviewed by eLife

Conformational Changes of the ABC Transporter BmrA Depend on Membrane Curvature

1. Alicia Damm
2. Kemil Belhadji
3. Raj Kumar Sadhu
4. Su-Jin Paik
5. Aurélie Di-Cicco
6. John Manzi
7. Michele Castellana
8. Raju Regmi
9. Emmanuel Margeat
10. Maxime Dahan
11. Pierre Sens
12. Daniel Lévy
13. Patricia Bassereau

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This valuable study investigates whether the activity of an ABC transporter, BmrA, can be modulated by mechanical stimuli. The authors develop a single-molecule experimental system to address this question, although aspects of the methodological framework are incomplete. This work also develops a convincing theoretical model to explain the effect of membrane curvature on the conformational transitions observed during the activity cycle of this membrane protein. This study is of interest to the fields of membrane biophysics and membrane transport.

Reviewed by eLife

Invasive cancer cells soften collagen networks and disrupt stress-stiffening via volume exclusion, contractility and adhesion

1. Irène Nagle
2. Margherita Tavasso
3. Ankur D. Bordoloi
4. Iain A.A. Muntz
5. Gijsje H. Koenderink
6. Pouyan E. Boukany

Reviewed by PREreview