Publications
.jpeg)
Discovery of an Antiviral Electron Transfer Process to Create Catalytically Self-Sufficient Viral Restriction Factors
Angewandte Chemie 2026
CYB5R3 is identified as a putative electron-transfer partner of viperin (RSAD2), explaining why ER localisation is required for antiviral activity. Its utilisation enabled the engineering of immune-silent, catalytically self-sufficient antiviral restriction factor enzymes (iCAREs) that produce an antiviral nucleoside triphosphate analogue (ANTA), thereby enabling the development of novel antiviral strategies.
Emerging role of mitoNEET as mitochondrial sensor of hypoxia
Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry 2026
In this perspective article, we discuss recent emerging evidence describing the mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] cluster role as a sensor of the cellular level of O2. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation of how mitochondria sense hypoxia, which affects their bioelectrochemistry and dynamics.
Controlling nanocage assembly, towards developing a one-health “plug & play” platform for targeted therapy
Chemical Communications 2025
In this review, we will take a fresh look at the application of natural protein nanocages in nanomedicine by discussing our current understanding of their self-assembly process. We highlight our recent progress in engineering ferritin subunits to create a one-health “plug and play” platform technology to develop various therapeutic or prophylactic nanomedicines.
The [2Fe-2S] cluster of mitochondrial outer membrane protein mitoNEET has an O2-regulated nitric oxide access tunnel
FEBS Letters 2025
The mitochondrial outer membrane iron–sulphur ([Fe-S]) protein mitoNEET is a target of the type-2 diabetes drug pioglitazone. Its unknown molecular function is linked to respiratory complex activity and mitochondrial function. We discovered that O2 protects the mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] cluster against NO oxidation and desensitization towards reduction by H2S. Our discovery suggests a molecular function of mitoNEET in sensing hypoxia by mitochondria.
A Versatile Virus-Mimetic Engineering Approach for Concurrent Protein Nanocage Surface-Functionalization and Cargo Encapsulation
Small 2024
The HIV-1 Gag polypeptide precursors are mimicked to create precursors of nanocages (PRECs). It is shown that in the presence of a protease, the precursors are cleaved to form subunits that are spontaneously self-assembled to generate PINCs (Protein-induced nanocages). The PINC formation is used to encapsulate a cargo and concurrently decorate the nanocages’ surface with a protein.
Ancient complexes of iron and sulfur modulate oncogenes and oncometabolism
Inorganic complexes of iron and sulfur, that is, iron-sulfur [FeS] clusters, have played a fundamental role in life on Earth since the prebiotic period. These clusters were involved in elementary reactions leading to the emergence of life and, since then, gained function in processes, such as respiration, replication, transcription, and the immune response. We discuss how three [FeS] proteins involved in the innate immune response play a role in oncogene expression/function and oncometabolism.
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 2023
VITAS, a sensitive in vivo selection assay to discover enzymes producing antiviral natural products
Chemical Communications 2023
To discover new broad-spectrum antiviral nucleotide analogues from natural resources or through protein engineering, we have developed a sensitive in vivo selection assay named Viral polymerase-Inhibition Toxin-Associated Selection (VITAS). We show that the assay works with enzymes from three Kingdoms of life.
Iron–sulfur clusters as inhibitors and catalysts of viral replication
Nature Chemistry 2022
Here we discuss how several [FeS] cluster-containing proteins activate, support and modulate the innate immune response to restrict viral infections, and how some of these proteins simultaneously support the replication of viruses. We also propose models of function of some proteins in the innate immune response and argue that [FeS] clusters in many of these proteins act as biological ‘fuses’ to control the response.