{
  "id": 3905555,
  "title": "Structural basis for nutrient-activated channel opening in bacterial spore germination receptors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/structural-basis-for-nutrient-activated-channel-opening-in-bacterial",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "bioRxiv",
    "slug": "biorxiv",
    "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.27.747515v1?rss=1"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "GerA-family germinant receptors were recently identified as ion channels that initiate germination of dormant bacterial spores in response to nutrients. Here we report 2.0-[A] cryo-electron microscopy structures of apo, agonist-bound, and antagonist-bound GerA, revealing a symmetric pentamer of heterotrimers. Signaling relies on two allosteric switches that radiate from the LeuT-type…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}