David Barford

Abstract Human kinetochores assemble onto centromeric DNA comprising repetitive arrays of the 171 bp α-satellite sequence. To understand the higher-order architecture of the inner kinetochore assembled onto α-satellite arrays, we show cryo-EM structures of CCAN with free DNA, and α-satellite repeat monomers and dimers with CENP-A nucleosomes. CCAN bound to free DNA and a monomeric CENP-A nucleosome engages 70 bp of DNA comprising 30 bp of an upstream α-satellite repeat.

Abstract The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) is a large multi-subunit E3 ubiquitin ligase that controls progression through the cell cycle by orchestrating the timely proteolysis of mitotic cyclins and other cell cycle regulatory proteins. Although structures of multiple human APC/C complexes have been extensively studied over the past decade, the S. cerevisiae APC/C has been less extensively investigated. Here, we describe medium resolution structures of three S.

Abstract Myoblast fusion is fundamental for the development of multinucleated myofibers. Evolutionarily conserved proteins required for myoblast fusion include RAC1 and its activator DOCK1. In the current study we analyzed the contribution of the DOCK1-interacting ELMO scaffold proteins to myoblast fusion. When Elmo1−/− mice underwent muscle-specific Elmo2 genetic ablation, they exhibited severe myoblast fusion defects.