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Samuel Maiwald

@samuelmaiwald.bsky.social

BIF PhD student in Schulman lab @mpibiochem.bsky.social, interested in structural biology and ubiquitin system

151 Followers  |  367 Following  |  18 Posts  |  Joined: 19.03.2025
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Posts by Samuel Maiwald (@samuelmaiwald.bsky.social)

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I am incredibly excited to share that I will start my independent lab at the @unidue-zmb.bsky.social at the @unidue.bsky.social as Junior Professor of Cellular Biochemistry. Research in my lab has the goal to decipher the ubiquitin code!
There are multiple open positions!
(1/3)

05.03.2026 11:00 β€” πŸ‘ 62    πŸ” 19    πŸ’¬ 10    πŸ“Œ 3
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Formation & function of #MembranelessOrganelles! #CryoET structures of #proteasome storage granules inside cells!
Read our paper @cp-cell.bsky.social!

❕Publication: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
❕Press Release: www.biochem.mpg.de/en/pressroom

@uoftmedicine.bsky.social
@erc.europa.eu #UPSmeetMet

28.01.2026 16:39 β€” πŸ‘ 68    πŸ” 26    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
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LLOMe has long been used to study lysosomal damage, yet how it works has remained a mystery.
Using cryo-electron tomography, we show it forms amyloid structures inside lysosomes that mechanically rupture membranes – revealing a new paradigm for lysosomal failure.

πŸ”— doi.org/10.64898/202...

#CryoET

20.01.2026 10:01 β€” πŸ‘ 111    πŸ” 40    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 2
A CK2-FBXW11 kinase-E3 ubiquitin ligase cascade is a metabolic sensor regulating Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase stability Small molecules toggling the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) are powerful regulators of protein degradation. Yet, mechanistic knowledge of how endogenous ligands gate UPS decisions remains rudimentary. Here, we define control of UPS access to Tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2), which converts the essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) to N-formylkynurenine. When Trp concentrations are limiting, TDO2 is degraded to avert tryptophanemia. Using CRISPRi screening and biochemistry, we identify a CK2-FBXW11 kinase-E3 ligase cascade that generates and recognizes tandem TDO2 phosphodegrons when not protected by Trp. Trp binding to an exosite safeguards TDO2 from phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitylation. Effects of Trp analogs on CK2-FBXW11-dependent ubiquitylation indicated that the indole, amino, and carboxylate groups are necessary for substrate shielding. Cryo-EM reveals how these moieties order a region proximal to the phosphodegrons; without Trp, this segment is flexible, enabling phosphorylation-coupled ubiquitylation. Overall, our data uncovered an endogenous small molecule allosterically stabilizing its own metabolizing enzyme through protection from a phosphorylation-ubiquitylation cascade. ### Competing Interest Statement B.A.S. is a member of the scientific advisory boards of Proxygen and Lyterian. The other authors declare no competing interests. Max Planck Society, https://ror.org/01hhn8329 European Union, ERC AdvG, UPSmeetMet, 101098161 to BAS Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds, https://ror.org/00dkye506

New year, new preprint! 🎊

We are excited to share our recent work on #E3 ligase regulation in #metabolism!

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...

#ubiquitin #targetedproteindegradation #chemicalbiology

1/6

13.01.2026 13:49 β€” πŸ‘ 43    πŸ” 17    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 5
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When RNA Degradation 🀝 meets 🀝 Protein Degradation! tinyurl.com/E3TDMD In a collaboration of @bartellab.bsky.social and Schulman lab, we show that, in target-directed microRNA degradation (TDMD), 2-RNA-factors recruit an E3 ligase and induce the degradation of not only a protein but also RNA (1/5).

06.01.2026 08:04 β€” πŸ‘ 117    πŸ” 50    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 4

Cysteine availability tunes ubiquitin signaling via inverse stability of LRRC58 E3 ligase and its substrate CDO1 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.14.688510v1

15.11.2025 02:45 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Structural basis for E4 enzyme Ufd2-catalyzed K48/K29 branched ubiquitin chains - Nature Chemical Biology Tong et al. chemically trapped the structure of the E4 enzyme Ufd2, which mediates K48 branched ubiquitination on K29diUb and K29triUb, identifying Ufd2’s core region as a K29diUb binding domain and a...

A new paper reports the structure of the E4 enzyme Ufd2, which mediates K48 branched ubiquitination on K29diUb and K29triUb, identifying Ufd2’s core region as a K29diUb binding domain and a dimeric conformation for distal ubiquitin stabilization

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

18.08.2025 16:44 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Structural basis of an EMC:Spf1 insertase-dislocase complex in the eukaryotic endoplasmic reticulum Most eukaryotic membrane proteins are inserted into the membrane at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This essential but error-prone process relies on molecular quality control machineries to prevent mi...

Super excited to share our new #preprint on #BioRxiv ✨
We reveal the structural basis of a partnership between the ER membrane complex (EMC) and the P5A-ATPase Spf1 β€” an insertase–dislocase duo that coordinates membrane protein biogenesis and quality control.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

11.08.2025 12:35 β€” πŸ‘ 24    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 1
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The EMC acts as a chaperone for membrane proteins - Nature Communications Membrane proteins are essential for any cell but difficult to fold. Here, the authors show that the EMC acts as a chaperone for membrane proteins. They dissect client recognition and provide a molecul...

Excited to share our latest study in @natcomms.nature.com , where we characterize the chaperone function of the ER membrane protein complex (EMC)β€”supporting membrane protein biogenesis beyond insertion!
1/9

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

05.08.2025 13:18 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 9    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 3
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Schulman lab is ready for the GRK2243 Symposium: Understanding ubiquitination: from molecular mechanisms to disease in wΓΌrzburg

#wUeBI2025 @grk2243.bsky.social
@jakobfarnung.bsky.social @samuelmaiwald.bsky.social @hannahbkmpr.bsky.social

02.06.2025 10:15 β€” πŸ‘ 27    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you!

26.05.2025 14:49 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Check out our latest study @natsmb.nature.com‬: Establishing a consensus model for #ubiquitin chain assembly by HECT #E3 ligases: #cryoEM structures of #TRIP12 forming K29-linked and K29/K48-branched chains!

❕ www.nature.com/articles/s41...

@samuelmaiwald.bsky.social @unileiden.bsky.social

26.05.2025 14:36 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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TRIP12 structures reveal HECT E3 formation of K29 linkages and branched ubiquitin chains Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Published online: 26 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41594-025-01561-1Using biochemistry, chemical biology, and cryo-EM, Maiwald et al. elucidate how TRIP12 forms K29 linkages and K29/K48-linked branched ubiquitin chains, revealing a mechanism for polyubiquitylation shared by some HECT E3s.

New online: TRIP12 structures reveal HECT E3 formation of K29 linkages and branched ubiquitin chains

26.05.2025 11:48 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you Dawa! :)

26.05.2025 11:21 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you Jakob! :)

26.05.2025 10:06 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks Leo! :)

26.05.2025 10:04 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Many thanks to Brenda and all other coauthors from the Schulman lab @mpibiochem.bsky.social as well as our collaborators Matthew and Monique β€ͺ@unileiden.bsky.social‬, who made this work possible!

7/7

26.05.2025 09:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Comparison to our previous structure showing K48 chain formation by UBR5 suggests a consensus architecture for linkage-specific chain formation by HECT E3s.

6/7

26.05.2025 09:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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On the other side, acceptor and donor ubiquitins come together with the TRIP12 HECT domain to establish the active site. Both sides cooperate to precisely place K29 of the proximal acceptor ubiquitin for catalysis.

5/7

26.05.2025 09:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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One TRIP12 side avidly recruits the K48-linked chain, explaining preference for the proximal ubiquitin.

4/7

26.05.2025 09:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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We used activity-based probes to trap TRIP12 in the act of forming a K29/K48-branched triUb and a K29-linked diUb. Visualizing these complexes using cryo-EM revealed TRIP12s catalytic mechanism.

3/7

26.05.2025 09:36 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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TRIP12 adds K29-linked ubiquitin onto K48-linked ubiquitin chains. We show that TRIP12 preferentially modifies the proximal ubiquitin to form branched chains.

2/7

26.05.2025 09:36 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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TRIP12 structures reveal HECT E3 formation of K29 linkages and branched ubiquitin chains - Nature Structural & Molecular Biology Using biochemistry, chemical biology, and cryo-EM, Maiwald et al. elucidate how TRIP12 forms K29 linkages and K29/K48-linked branched ubiquitin chains, revealing a mechanism for polyubiquitylation sha...

Excited to share our latest study on how K29/K48-branched #ubiquitin chains are forged by the #E3 ligase TRIP12, and how this suggests a consensus mechanism for chain formation by HECT E3s!

@natsmb.nature.com

1/7

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

26.05.2025 09:36 β€” πŸ‘ 44    πŸ” 17    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 3

@natsmb.nature.com

26.05.2025 09:27 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Many thanks to Brenda and all other coauthors from the Schulman lab @mpibiochem.bsky.social as well as our collaborators Matthew and Monique β€ͺ@unileiden.bsky.social‬, who made this work possible!

7/7

26.05.2025 09:25 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Comparison to our previous structure showing K48 chain formation by UBR5 suggests a consensus architecture for linkage-specific chain formation by HECT E3s.

6/7

26.05.2025 09:25 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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On the other side, acceptor and donor ubiquitins come together with the TRIP12 HECT domain to establish the active site. Both sides cooperate to precisely place K29 of the proximal acceptor ubiquitin for catalysis.

5/7

26.05.2025 09:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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One TRIP12 side avidly recruits the K48-linked chain, explaining preference for the proximal ubiquitin.

4/7

26.05.2025 09:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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We used activity-based probes to trap TRIP12 in the act of forming a K29/K48-branched triUb and a K29-linked diUb. Visualizing these complexes using cryo-EM revealed TRIP12s catalytic mechanism.

3/7

26.05.2025 09:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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TRIP12 adds K29-linked ubiquitin onto K48-linked ubiquitin chains. We show that TRIP12 preferentially modifies the proximal ubiquitin to form branched chains.

2/7

26.05.2025 09:20 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0