Uli Schwarz-Linek
Group Highlights
Bacteria and viruses use proteins (virulence factors) to colonise their hosts, avoid the immune system, and spread in infected organisms. We use structural biology (NMR, X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM) combined with cell-based assays, biophysical and biochemical methods to investigate the molecular basis for interactions between pathogens and hosts. We focus on surface proteins of Gram-positive bacteria and interferon antagonists of negative-strand RNA viruses. Our most important discoveries to date:
- Identification and characterisation of TIE proteins as a common class of adhesins of Gram-positive bacteria
- Covalent binding of bacterial TIE proteins to a host protein
- Structural basis of intranuclear filament formation of Rift Valley fever phlebovirus NSs protein
Research
Structures and binding targets of TIE proteins Structures of group A streptococcal M proteins and their interactions with host extracellular matrix components Molecular basis of Rift Valley fever phlebovirus NSs protein (MRC funded)
Publications
Articles
Structural and biochemical characterisation of Co2+-binding sites on serum albumins and their interplay with fatty acids
Wu, D., Gucwa, M., Czub, M. P., Cooper, D. R., Shabalin, I. G., Fritzen, R., Arya, S., Schwarz-Linek, U., Blindauer, C. A., Minor, W. & Stewart, A. J., 21 Jun 2023, In: Chemical Science. 14, 23, p. 6244-6258 15 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Insights into the mechanism of the cyanobactin heterocyclase enzyme
Ge, Y., Czekster, C. M., Miller, O. K., Botting, C. H., Schwarz-Linek, U. & Naismith, J. H., 23 Apr 2019, In: Biochemistry. 58, 16, p. 2125-2132 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A new structural class of bacterial thioester domains reveals a slipknot topology
Miller, O. K., Banfield, M. & Schwarz-Linek, U., Sept 2018, In: Protein Science. 27, 9, p. 1651-1660
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Oxidation of the cyanobactin precursor peptide is independent of the leader peptide and operates in a defined order
Gao, S., Ge, Y., Bent, A. F., Schwarz-Linek, U. & Naismith, J. H., 16 Oct 2018, In: Biochemistry. 57, 41, p. 5996-6002 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A new method for post-translationally labeling proteins in live cells for fluorescence imaging and tracking
Hinrichsen, M., Lenz, M., Edwards, J. M., Miller, O. K., Mochrie, S. G. J., Swain, P. S., Schwarz-Linek, U. & Regan, L., Dec 2017, In: Protein Engineering, Design & Selection. 30, 12, p. 771-780
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Rift Valley fever phlebovirus NSs protein core domain structure suggests molecular basis for nuclear filaments
Barski, M., Brennan, B., Miller, O. K., Potter, J. A., Vijayakrishnan, S., Bhella, D., Naismith, J. H., Elliott, R. M. & Schwarz-Linek, U., 15 Sept 2017, In: eLife. 6, 20 p., e29236.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
An internal thioester in a pathogen surface protein mediates covalent host binding
Walden, M., Edwards, J. M., Dziewulska, A. M., Bergmann, R., Saalbach, G., Kan, S-Y., Miller, O. K., Weckener, M., Jackson, R. J., Shirran, S. L., Botting, C. H., Florence, G. J., Rohde, M., Banfield, M. J. & Schwarz-Linek, U., 2 Jun 2015, In: eLife. 4, 24 p., e06638.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Plasma free fatty acid levels influence Zn2+-dependent histidine-rich glycoprotein-heparin interactions via an allosteric switch on serum albumin
Kassaar, O., Schwarz-Linek, U., Blindauer, C. A. & Stewart, A. J., Jan 2015, In: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 13, 1, p. 101-110 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
An efficient method for the in vitro production of Azol(in)e-based cyclic peptides
Houssen, W. E., Bent, A. F., McEwan, A. R., Pieiller, N., Tabudravu, J., Koehnke, J., Mann, G., Adaba, R. I., Thomas, L., Hawas, U. W., Liu, H., Schwarz-Linek, U., Smith, M. C. M., Naismith, J. H. & Jaspars, M., 15 Dec 2014, In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 53, 51, p. 14171-14174 4 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Covalent host-targeting by thioester domains of Gram-positive pathogens
Walden, M., Edwards, J., Dziewulska, A., Schwarz-Linek, U. & Banfield, M., 1 Aug 2014, In: Acta Crystallographica Section A: Foundations and Advances. 70, a1, p. C848
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Other publications
Yet more intramolecular cross-links in Gram-positive surface proteins
Schwarz-Linek, U. & Banfield, M. J., 28 Jan 2014, In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 111, 4, p. 1229-1230 2 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review
Contact
Dr Uli Schwarz-Linek
Biomedical Sciences Research Complex
University of St Andrews
twitter @UliSchwarzLinek
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0526-223X
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