Katsumi Maenaka

RBD-down stabilization of SARS-CoV-2 spike enhances cross-neutralizing antibody responses by redirecting immunodominance toward conserved epitopes

The continuous emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has enabled partial escape from neutralizing antibodies, necessitating frequent updates of vaccine antigens. These observations motivate vaccine strategies that can redirect antibody responses toward conserved regions of the spike (...

Structural basis of lenacapavir-induced HIV-1 capsid defects during virion maturation

Abstract Long-acting lenacapavir (LEN) has emerged as a highly effective, potentially game-changing therapy for HIV treatment and prevention. Its mechanism of action in the early phase of HIV-1 replication, when the capsid directs key post-entry steps such as reverse transcriptio...