Cryo-EM of macromolecular machines

Our laboratory is interested in understanding how macromolecular machines control the flow of genetic information and modulate genome integrity. One of our research aims is to investigate the molecular mechanisms that regulate horizontal gene transfer. Transposable elements often depend on the assembly of large and dynamic multisubunit complexes to prevent spurious double-strand breaks and promote efficient DNA transposition. Our group combines cryo-electron microscopy, x-ray crystallography, together with biochemical and functional assays, to develop atomic-level models to explain how these elements disseminate antibiotic resistance genes, modify gene expression, and generate genomic instability.

Artistic representation of macromolecular machines implicated in DNA transposition.

Staff Scientists
Ernesto Arias Palomo

Postdoctorals
Lidia Araujo Bazan

Predoctoral Students
Mercedes Spinola Amilibia

Visitors
David Catala Merino

de la Gándara Á, Spínola-Amilibia M, Araújo-Bazán L, Núñez-Ramírez R, Berger JM, Arias-Palomo E. [2024]. Molecular basis for transposase activation by a dedicated AAA+ ATPase. Nature. 630:1003-1011.

Spínola-Amilibia M, Illanes-Vicioso R, Ruiz-López E, Colomer-Vidal P, Rodriguez-Ventura F, Peces Pérez R, Arias CF, Torroba T, Solà M, Arias-Palomo E, Bertocchini F. [2023]. Plastic degradation by insect hexamerins: Near-atomic resolution structures of the polyethylene-degrading proteins from the wax worm saliva. Sci Adv. 2023 Sep 22;9(38):eadi6813.

Spínola-Amilibia, M., Araújo-Bazán, L., de la Gándara, Á., Berger, J.M., Arias-Palomo, E. [2023]. IS21 family transposase cleaved donor complex traps two right-handed superhelical crossings. Nature Communications. 14:2335.

Lázaro-Berenguer, M., Paredes-Martínez, F., Bel, Y., Núñez-Ramírez, R., Arias-Palomo, E., Casino, P., Ferré, J. [2022]. Structural and functional role of Domain I for the insecticidal activity of the Vip3Aa protein from Bacillus thuringiensis. Microbial Biotechnology. 15:2607-2618.

Sanluis-Verdes, A., Colomer-Vidal, P., Rodriguez-Ventura, F., Bello-Villarino, M., Spinola-Amilibia, M., Ruiz-Lopez, E., Illanes-Vicioso, R., Castroviejo, P., Aiese Cigliano, R., Montoya, M., Falabella, P., Pesquera, C., Gonzalez-Legarreta, L., Arias-Palomo, E., Solà, M., Torroba, T., Arias, C.F., Bertocchini, F. [2022]. Wax worm saliva and the enzymes therein are the key to polyethylene degradation by Galleria mellonella. Nature Communications. 13:5568.

Pinar, M., Alonso, A., de los Ríos, V., Bravo-Plaza, I., de la Gandara, Á., Galindo, A., Arias-Palomo, E., Peñalva, M.Á. [2022]. The type V myosin-containing complex HUM is a RAB11 effector powering movement of secretory vesicles. iScience. 25:104514.

Claeys Bouuaert, C., Tischfield, S.E., Pu, S., Mimitou, E.P., Arias-Palomo, E., Berger, J.M., Keeney, S. [2021]. Structural and functional characterization of the Spo11 core complex. Nature Structural and Molecular Biology. 28:92-102.

Núñez-Ramírez, R., Huesa, J., Bel, Y., Ferré, J., Casino, P., Arias-Palomo, E. [2020]. Molecular architecture and activation of the insecticidal protein Vip3Aa from Bacillus thuringiensis. Nature Communications. 11:3974.

Arias-Palomo, E., Puri, N., O'Shea Murray, V.L., Yan, Q., Berger, J.M. [2019]. Physical Basis for the Loading of a Bacterial Replicative Helicase onto DNA. Molecular Cell. 74:173-184.e4.

Arias-Palomo, E., Berger, J.M. [2015]. An Atypical AAA+ ATPase Assembly Controls Efficient Transposition through DNA Remodeling and Transposase Recruitment. Cell. 162:860-871.

All Publications

- Visualizing DNA Transposition: Structural and Molecular Mechanisms. PID2023-152248NB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF/EU". 01/09/2024 - 31/08/2027.

- MolSwitch - Análisis estructural y funcional de interruptores macromoleculares implicados en transmisión genética horizontal y diseminación de resistencia a antibióticos. PID2020-120275GB-I00 financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2024.

- Crio-microscopio electrónico de transmisión para el estudio de sistemas biológicos. Adquisición de Equipamiento Científico-Técnico 2021. EQC2021-006930-P financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por la Unión Europea "NextGenerationEU"/ "PRTR". 01/06/2021 - 31/12/2023.

- Unraveling the molecular and structural mechanisms of ATP-dependent transposition. BFU2017-89143-P. MINECO. 2018-2020.

- “Subvenciones a la contratación de doctores por centros de I+D. Ramón y Cajal 2015”. Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO).

Group Leader/s

Ernesto Arias Palomo

intro

Research lines

Members

Selected Publications