Sign in

Diorge Souza

@diorgeps.bsky.social
256 followers 407 following 31 posts

Structural biochemist and evolutionary microbiologist 🇺🇸 MIT / Brandeis University Formerly 🇬🇧 MRC LMB / University College London 🇧🇷 University of São Paulo / University of Brasília

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Jackson Carrion @jacksoncarrion.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It was great working with such a fun group of people on this project! Check out our newest paper below on the evolution and structure of ribosome hibernation in archaea 🦠😴
051
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
A dual-factor complex governs archaeal ribosome hibernation by sensing energy status
Efficient coupling of cellular energy status to ribosome regulation is fundamental for cellular survival. Here, we identify the Archaeal Ribosome regulatory Complex (ARC)—a previously uncharacterized ...
000
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
A family of ribosome hibernation factors widespread in Archaea - Nature Communications
Ribosome hibernation preserves translation machinery during stress. Here, the authors identify a ribosome hibernation factor that is widespread in archaea and combines bacterial HPF/RaiA-like and cyst...
100
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Related studies that have recently explored archaeal ribosome hibernation: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
A family of archaeal hibernation factors that bind in tandem and protect ribosomes in dormant cells - Nature Communications
Hibernation factors preserve ribosomes during cellular dormancy. Here, the authors identify a family of archaeal hibernation factors and use genetic, biochemical, and structural studies to show how th...
100
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
A huge thank you to all the co-authors, Mira May, @jacksoncarrion.bsky.social , @vikramalva.bsky.social, @archaeon-alex.bsky.social, and Joey Davis - it was a pleasure working with all of you!
120
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Finally out! Our work uncovers evolutionary links between bacterial and archaeal ribosome hibernation and eukaryotic energy sensing, through the archaeal hibernation factor AHA link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
A conserved archaeal protein with evolutionary links to bacterial ribosome hibernation and eukaryotic energy sensing - The EMBO Journal
Ribosome hibernation helps cells survive stress by reversibly silencing translation and preserving ribosomal complexes. Although well characterized in bacteria and eukaryotes, archaeal hibernation rem...
14316
Reposted by Diorge Souza
The EMBO Journal @embojournal.org · 02/10/2026
How about stress-induced ribosome hibernation in archaea? @diorgeps.bsky.social, @archaeon-alex.bsky.social, Joey Davis et al identify conserved archaeal factor AHA with evolutionary link to bacterial hibernation-promoting factor HPF & eukaryotic energy sensor AMPKγ link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
A conserved archaeal protein with evolutionary links to bacterial ribosome hibernation and eukaryotic energy sensing - The EMBO Journal
Ribosome hibernation helps cells survive stress by reversibly silencing translation and preserving ribosomal complexes. Although well characterized in bacteria and eukaryotes, archaeal hibernation rem...
0238
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Gabriel Oka @okagu.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
🧬 Happy to share our new preprint: ppigFinder, a desktop tool integrating bacterial genome analysis with large-scale AlphaFold 3 protein–protein interaction screening. We showcase it by exploring the VirD4 interactome of Xanthomonas citri. 💻 github.com/leepusp/ppig...
github.com
GitHub - leepusp/ppigfinder
Contribute to leepusp/ppigfinder development by creating an account on GitHub.
0114
Reposted by Diorge Souza
cryoEM papers @cryoempapers.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
ppigFinder: an integrated desktop application for bacterial genome annotation and AlphaFold 3 based protein protein interaction screening www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.23.746524v1 #cryoEM
052
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
How do bacteria avoid killing their own siblings while using contact-dependent weapons? In this work, a conserved DUF4189 protein (Xac2611/Tpf) blocks X-T4SS mediated killing, likely via interaction with VirB5. Great work led by my friend @okagu.bsky.social at the @chuckfarah.bsky.social lab
010
Reposted by Diorge Souza
cryoEM papers @cryoempapers.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
A conserved archaeal ribosome-associated factor linking bacterial hibernation and eukaryotic energy sensing pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41757010/ #cryoEM
083
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Alex Bisson @archaeon-alex.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Another paper on a topic we never worked on before: a new ribosomal hibernation! Under the leadership of the super-postdoc Diorge, Davis Lab (ribo-cryoEM master), and @vikramalva.bsky.social (protein-evo whisperer), we identified AHA (not the song, but archaeal hibernation AMPKγ factor). (1/2)
1195
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
A fantastic position! The dream place to do science! 🤩
020
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Thank you, Ricardo! 😃
010
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Thank you, Javi!!!
010
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Vikram Alva @vikramalva.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Very cool work led by @diorgeps.bsky.social from the labs of @archaeon-alex.bsky.social & Joey Davis (MIT)! They solved the Haloferax volcanii ribosome and characterize AHA, a conserved archaeal hibernation factor. With several recent related preprints, it’s an exciting moment for the field!
0124
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
And Hib (same domain composition of AHA): www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
010
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
ARC-A/ARC-P: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
110
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
SriA-D: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
110
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
And here are links to the other recent manuscripts describing related archaeal hibernation factors. Thrilled to be part of this wave of discoveries! Dri: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Structure of an archaeal ribosome reveals a divergent active site and hibernation factor - Nature Microbiology
Sequence and structural analyses reveal a divergent peptidyl transferase centre and a hibernation factor in archaea.
120
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Huge shout out to the amazing co-authors Mira May @jacksoncarrion.bsky.social @vikramalva.bsky.social You are all superstars ⭐
120
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
In other words: ancient ribosome hibernation machinery and the eukaryotic AMPK energy-sensing pathway may share common evolutionary roots. Energy-responsive translational shutdown might be a deeply ancestral strategy.
140
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
This suggests something remarkable: archaeal ribosome hibernation factors may directly link translational silencing to cellular energy sensing. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that AMPKγ evolved from the archaeal CBS-tetrad lineage that includes AHA.
120
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The N-terminal 4×CBS domain binds two AMP molecules. Structurally and evolutionarily, it is related to AMPKγ, the main energy sensor in eukaryotes.
110
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
The C-t domain is homologous to HPF, previously described as a highly conserved bacterial hibernation factor. HPF-like domains are widespread in both bacteria and archaea + phylogeny → likely present in the Last Universal Common Ancestor. This may be the first universal ribosome hibernation module.
120
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
AHA is built from two evolutionarily distinct modules: A C-terminal HPF-like domain that binds the small subunit and an N-terminal 4×CBS domain that inserts into the large subunit’s peptidyl transferase center.
110
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Functionally, deleting AHA is costly. ΔAHA cells: • show reduced viability in stationary phase • lose ribosomal proteins • struggle to regrow after starvation • are outcompeted by wild type All consistent with a bona fide hibernation factor
120
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Using cryoEM directly on cell lysates, we found AHA bound at the functional core of the ribosome, blocking the A- and P-tRNA sites and the mRNA channel (fully incompatible with translation)
130
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
And then… an avalanche. Over the past few months, several preprints have described new archaeal ribosome hibernation factors. It’s an exciting moment for the field! I’ll link all of them at the end of this thread.
130
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Ribosome hibernation helps cells survive stress by reversibly silencing translation and protecting ribosomes from degradation. It’s well studied in bacteria and eukaryotes; but until very recently, archaeal hibernation remained largely mysterious.
130
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
A new preprint from the @archaeon-alex.bsky.social and Joey Davis (MIT) labs! We solved the structure of the ribosome from the archaeon Haloferax volcanii and discovered a new highly conserved ribosome hibernation factor that we named AHA (AMPKγ–HPF from Archaea) 🧵⬇️ www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
23316
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
So happy to see this come together! Huge congratulations to my friend @javierespadas.bsky.social and everyone involved. Amazing job!
020
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Buzz Baum @buzzbaum.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Javier has done beautiful work (following on from the study he did with Diorge Souza), showing how Asgard Escrt-III likely cut membranes. The answer: with Hofund.
1111
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Roux Lab, Geneva @rouxlab.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Fantastic work from Javier @javierespadas.bsky.social in collaboration with @buzzbaum.bsky.social and @kaksonen.bsky.social labs, thank you Chris Toret, thank you Diorge @diorgeps.bsky.social!
0113
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Javier Espadas @javierespadas.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
New preprint from the lab!!🎉 We show that Asgard archaea ESCRT-III proteins can trigger membrane fission and reveal its molecular mechanism, offering clues to how these cells may have built internal compartments. But do these organisms even have these compartments? www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
biorxiv.org
Molecular basis for cellular compartmentalization by an ancient membrane fission mechanism
The emergence of cell compartmentalization depends on membrane fission to create the endomembrane compartments. In eukaryotes, membrane fission is commonly executed by ESCRT-III, a protein complex con...
18432
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Javier Espadas @javierespadas.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Extremely happy to see our work finally out!🎉 Great collaboration between @rouxlab.bsky.social @buzzbaum.bsky.social labs and a real pleasure to work and share co-first authorship with incredible scientists and friends @diorgeps.bsky.social @sami-c.bsky.social. Big thanks to the rest of the authors!
0268
Reposted by Diorge Souza
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology @mrclmb.ac.uk · 11/02/2025
New research on ancient Asgard archaeal ESCRT-III proteins reveals evolutionary secrets of membrane remodelling. Diorge Souza, Javier Espadas and Sami Chaaban, investigated the ESCRT-III proteins with Buzz Baum and Aurelien Roux. Read more: www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/asgard-archa... #LMBResearch (1/2)
Evolution, structure and membrane remodelling function of the ESCRT-III superfamily in eukaryotes and their closest relatives Asgard archaea. The two subfamilies, B-type and A-type, have distinct structural properties to perform sequential steps of the membrane remodelling pathway.
13312
Reposted by Diorge Souza
Roux Lab, Geneva @rouxlab.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
ESCRT-III is an ancient complex, present in Archaea, with only two proteins and all membrane remodelling functions. Great work by @javierespadas.bsky.social, @diorgeps.bsky.social, @sami-c.bsky.social, thanks to the @buzzbaum.bsky.social lab! Drawing by Julie Polge. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
1238
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 09/02/2025
Thanks Harry!
010
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Great Oriol! Congrats!
010
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Adding a shout out to @tweethinking.bsky.social and @emoody.bsky.social! Thanks again to the amazing phylogenetics team! And our unique @mrclmb.bsky.social @cellbiol-mrclmb.bsky.social
042
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Also had the pleasure of collaborating with the great Edmund Moody, Tom Williams, Tomoyuki Hatano and @sporemohan.bsky.social! Please check out the original preprint thread on the other 👎 platform x.com/diorge_souza...
x.com
x.com
131
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
The highlight of this project was the collaboration between @buzzbaum.bsky.social and @rouxlab.bsky.social labs, especially working with my incredible friends @javierespadas.bsky.social and @sami-c.bsky.social ! You both rock! 🤜🤛🍻💪
142
Diorge Souza @diorgeps.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
Happy to share our paper’s final version on the evolution, structure, and membrane binding / remodeling of Asgard ESCRT-III proteins! And my first 🦋 post! www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
Asgard archaea reveal the conserved principles of ESCRT-III membrane remodeling
Asgard archaea have two ESCRT-III subunits with the conserved traits that drive stepwise membrane remodeling in eukaryotes.
19441