Nature Chemical Biology, Published online: 14 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41589-024-01619-zBiochemical pathways for aromatic amino acid synthesis are ancient and highly conserved. Directed evolution of the β-subunit of tryptophan synthase (TrpB)—a proficient biocatalyst that converts indole to l-tryptophan—enabled this enzyme to make l-tyrosines from phenols,...

Nature Chemical Biology, Published online: 14 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41589-024-01620-6A newly developed maternally selective nanobody antagonist against the angiotensin II type I receptor stabilizes the receptor in a hybrid conformation and simultaneously binds with specific small-molecule antagonists.

Nature Chemical Biology, Published online: 10 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41589-024-01625-1Natural ribozymes can cleave RNA and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) by transesterification or a blend of hydrolytic and transesterification reactions. Now, ribozymes have been discovered that catalyze the hydrolytic cleavage of ssDNA. Similar ribozymes could potentially...

Nature Chemical Biology, Published online: 08 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41589-024-01607-3Ferroptosis, a cell death mechanism induced by lipid peroxidation, is pivotal in tumor suppression. A recent study shows that tumor repopulating cells evade ferroptosis and develop resistance to therapy via subverting a lipid metabolism enzyme.

Nature Chemical Biology, Published online: 08 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41589-024-01612-6Phosphorylation of ACSL4 by mitochondria-located metabolic kinase PCK2 is critical to regulating ferroptosis-associated phospholipid remodeling in tumor-repopulating cells that are resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Nature Chemical Biology, Published online: 06 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41589-024-01610-8We present a discovery pipeline integrating chemical fragment screening and time-resolved, high-throughput small-angle X-ray scattering (TR-HT-SAXS). This approach identifies allosteric chemical leads targeting distinct allosteric states of the mitochondrial oxidoreductase...