Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics

Aarhus University Seal
 Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Research Research areas Protein Science Jan J. Enghild

Jan J. Enghild

Jan J. Enghild

Professor
M
H 1874, 261
P +4587155449

Research project: Proteome analysis and protein characterization

The laboratory seeks to describe the "structure–activity–function" algorithm of proteins. Our research is located at the interface between other structure analyses methods (NMR and X-ray crystallography) and we use a combination of protein chemistry, proteomics, enzymology, and recombinant DNA techniques.


We are interested in extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis and the identification and characterization of post-translational modifications. Available structural and functional information concerning ECM proteins is limited due to the inherent insolubility.

Granular corneal dystrophy, Type I. 

A superposition of the crystal structures of bovine TAFI (green) and porcine carboxypeptidase B (purple). Read more.

Protein Characterization

Our research is located at the interface between other structure analyses methods (NMR and X-ray crystallography) and we use a combination of protein chemistry, proteomics, enzymology, and recombinant DNA techniques.

  • Bikunin Proteins
  • Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD)
  • Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)
  • Novel proteolytic enzymes
  • Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF)
  • Thrombin Activatable Fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI)
  • Transforming growth factor beta induced protein (TGFBIP) and cornea dystrophies
  • Transglutaminase

Peer-reviewed articles

Sort by: Date | Author | Title

Gadeberg, T. A. F., Jørgensen, M. H., Olesen, H. G., Lorentzen, J., Harwood, S. L., Almeida, A. V., Fruergaard, M. U., Jensen, R. K., Kanis, P., Pedersen, H., Tranchant, E., Petersen, S. V., Thøgersen, I. B., Kragelund, B. B., Lyons, J. A., Enghild, J. J. & Andersen, G. R. (2025). Cryo-EM analysis of complement C3 reveals a reversible major opening of the macroglobulin ring. Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, 32(5), 884-895. Article 872536. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-024-01467-4
Chrenková, A., Nashier, P., Madsen, C. L., Singh, M., Nielsen, J., Otzen, D. E., Enghild, J. J., Macek, B., Skjerning, R. B. & Brodersen, D. E. (2025). Homologous HipA-like kinases are controlled by internal translational initiation and genetic organisation. FEBS Letters. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.70234
Bryzek, D., Gasiorek, A., Kowalczyk, D., Santocki, M., Ciaston, I., Dobosz, E., Kolaczkowska, E., Kjøge, K., Kantyka, T., Lech, M., Potempa, B., Enghild, J. J., Potempa, J. & Koziel, J. (2025). Non-classical neutrophil extracellular traps induced by PAR2-signaling proteases. Cell Death & Disease, 16(1), Article 109. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-025-07428-z
Waligórska, I., Żak, K. M., Mikrut, N., Budziaszek, J., Medviediev, V., Bielecka, E., Kantyka, T., Kozieł, J., Thøgersen, I. B., Enghild, J. J., Grudnik, P., Potempa, J. & Książek, M. (2025). Periodontopathogens degrade angiotensin I from the human renin-angiotensin system through surface-attached proteases. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article 43309. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-27891-0
Silale, A., Madej, M., Mikruta, K., Frey, A. M., Hart, A. J., Baslé, A., Scavenius, C., Enghild, J. J., Trost, M., Hirt, R. P. & van den Berg, B. (2025). Structure of a distinct β-barrel assembly machinery complex in the Bacteroidota. Nature Microbiology, 10(11), 2845-2859. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-025-02132-2
McLain, A., Kowalczyk, A., Baran-Rachwalska, P., Sutera, F. M., Robertson, L. J., Nielsen, N. S., Enghild, J. J., Cobice, D., Bonelli, F., Barbaro, V., Ferrari, S., Patterson, B., Moore, L., Marshall, J., Nesbit, M. A. & Moore, T. (2025). TGFBI R124H mutant allele silencing in granular corneal dystrophy type 2 using topical siRNA delivery. Journal of Controlled Release, 382, Article 113681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.113681
Poulsen, E. T., Nielsen, N. S. & Enghild, J. J. (2025). The role of the extracellular matrix in TGFBI-related corneal dystrophy development. In E. K. Kim & R. D. Stulting (Eds.), TGFBI-related Corneal Dystrophies: Clinical Findings, Cell Biology, and Genetics (pp. 77-94). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-0131-8_9
Shah, A., Zhang, X., Snee, M., Lockhart-Cairns, M. P., Levy, C. W., Jowitt, T. A., Birchenough, H. L., Dean, L., Collins, R., Dodd, R. J., Roberts, A. R. E., Enghild, J. J., Mantovani, A., Fontana, J., Baldock, C., Inforzato, A., Richter, R. P. & Day, A. J. (2025). The structural organisation of pentraxin-3 and its interactions with heavy chains of inter-α-inhibitor regulate crosslinking of the hyaluronan matrix. Matrix biology : journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology, 136, 52-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2025.01.002
Almeida, A. V., Jensen, K. T., Harwood, S. L., Jørgensen, M. H., Nielsen, N. S., Thøgersen, I. B., Enghild, J. J. & Andersen, G. R. (2025). Three cryo-EM structures of CD109 reveal its mechanism of protease inhibition. Cell Reports, 44(6), Article 115787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115787
McLain, A., Saffie-Siebert, S. R., Nielsen, N. S., Patterson, B., Scavenius, C., Enghild, J. J., Marshall, J., Baran-Rachwalska, P., Welsh, M., Sutera, F. M., Moore, L., Willoughby, C., Nesbit, M. A. & Moore, T. (2025). Topical mutant allele-specific siRNA delivery for treatment of Meesmann epithelial corneal dystrophy and elucidation of disease biomarkers. Journal of Controlled Release, 388, Article 114315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.114315

Displaying results 1 to 10 out of 401

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Next

Research results in the media

Here you can read a popular description of the group's research results sent to the media.

Revised 15.08.2023
-
Lisbeth Heilesen