Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jiuer Liu, Feng-Zhu Wang, Chong Li, Yujia Li, Jian-Feng Li
Summary: TAGs constitute a significant portion of plant genomes and the multiplex CRISPR system is commonly used for targeted TAG deletions. However, it has been discovered that a large percentage of CRISPR-mediated TAG knockout alleles are actually delinver bi-alleles, which are commonly misidentified as homozygous deletion alleles. This misunderstanding can lead to incorrect interpretation of experimental data and the production of genetically heterogeneous progenies. Delinver mutations are primarily correlated with deletion frequencies, rather than chromosomal locations or deletion sizes, and can also occur at non-TAG loci during multiplexed CRISPR editing.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Takenobu Katagiri, Sho Tsukamoto, Mai Kuratani, Shinnosuke Tsuji, Kensuke Nakamura, Satoshi Ohte, Yoshiro Kawaguchi, Kiyosumi Takaishi
Summary: Mutations in the transmembrane receptor activin receptor-like kinase 2 (ALK2) cause abnormal signaling in various genetic diseases. The authors found that disease-associated ALK2 forms can dimerize intracellularly upon ligand binding. They developed a blocking antibody that inhibits ALK2 signaling and demonstrated its potential in suppressing pathological bone formation in a mouse model of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Savannah E. Butler, Colin J. Hartman, Yina H. Huang, Margaret E. Ackerman
Summary: A novel screening method was developed to identify intracellular domain variants that drive selective induction of transcription factors. A library of chimeric antigen receptors signaling domain variants was constructed and used to demonstrate the ability to discern amongst different co-stimulatory domains. This study highlights the prospects and limitations of mammalian display methods for chimeric antigen receptors signaling domain discovery.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Romain Villoutreix, Diego Ayala, Mathieu Joron, Zachariah Gompert, Jeffrey L. Feder, Patrik Nosil
Summary: This review examines the coexistence of discrete morphs associated with chromosomal inversions and the presence of mutations at inversion breakpoints. Evidence for the role of recombination suppression and breakpoint mutations in driving the evolution of inversions is often indirect and incomplete, highlighting the need for direct testing of these hypotheses. The integration of recombination suppression and breakpoint mutations may have implications for understanding the emergence of supergenes and their evolutionary dynamics in nature.
Review
Immunology
Merijn Braams, Karin Pike-Overzet, Frank J. T. Staal
Summary: The mature lymphocyte population of a healthy individual can recognize a wide range of antigens through gene rearrangements known as V(D)J recombination. This process is critical for lymphocyte development and relies on the regulation of recombination-activating genes-1 (RAG1) and RAG2, collectively referred to as RAG. Dysregulation of RAG has been associated with cancer, autoimmunity, and SCID. This review discusses the functional domains of RAG, advances in understanding RAG's function and regulation, therapeutic options for RAG deficiencies, and methods for determining RAG activity and target specificity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ze Zhang, Danyi Xiong, Xinlei Wang, Hongyu Liu, Tao Wang
Summary: Tessa is a tool that integrates TCR with gene expression of T cells to estimate the effect of TCRs on T cell phenotypes. It can predict the functional dichotomization of T cells and weakening in tumor contexts.
Article
Cell Biology
Matheus Henrique dos Santos, Michele Procopio Machado, Pappanaicken R. Kumaresan, Thiago Aparecido da Silva
Summary: Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) play a crucial role in redirecting T cells to target specific antigens. In this study, novel second-generation CARs (GXMR-8-28 zeta and GXMR-8-BB zeta) were developed by replacing the IgG4-hinge and CD28-transmembrane domains with CD8 alpha molecule as the hinge/transmembrane and using CD28 or 4-1BB molecules as co-stimulatory domains. The optimized CARs showed improved CAR expression, antigen recognition, and signal strength in T-cell activation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Indu Kohaar, Xijun Zhang, Shyh-Han Tan, Darryl Nousome, Kevin Babcock, Lakshmi Ravindranath, Gauthaman Sukumar, Elisa Mcgrath-Martinez, John Rosenberger, Camille Alba, Amina Ali, Denise Young, Yongmei Chen, Jennifer Cullen, Inger L. Rosner, Isabell A. Sesterhenn, Albert Dobi, Gregory Chesnut, Clesson Turner, Clifton Dalgard, Matthew D. Wilkerson, Harvey B. Pollard, Shiv Srivastava, Gyorgy Petrovics
Summary: This study found higher mutation rates in specific DNA repair genes in African American prostate cancer patients compared to those with European ancestry. RAD family genes and PMS2, BRCA1 genes were among the most frequently mutated DNA repair genes in African American patients. This could have important implications for specific targeted therapies.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biology
Assaf Elazar, Nicholas J. Chandler, Ashleigh S. Davey, Jonathan Y. Weinstein, Julie Nguyen, Raphael Trenker, Ryan S. Cross, Misty R. Jenkins, Melissa J. Call, Matthew E. Call, Sarel J. Fleishman
Summary: De novo-designed receptor transmembrane domains (TMDs) offer precise control over cellular receptor functions and can be used to program specific oligomeric interactions into chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), resulting in tunable cytokine release and antitumor activity of CAR T cells. This precise design approach provides a new way to engineer receptor structure and activity in synthetic biology.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Stephanie Choi, Melissa A. Pegues, Norris Lam, Claudia Geldres, Danielle Vanasse, James N. Kochenderfer
Summary: The study compared three different anti-CD30 CAR designs and found that 5F11-28Z CAR was most effective at eradicating tumors, while 5F11-CD8BBZ CAR was the least effective. T cells expressing 5F11-CD8BBZ exhibited higher levels of nonspecific functional activity compared to CD28-containing CARs when stimulated with CD30-negative target cells.
HUMAN GENE THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qiong Mei, Yu Wen Fu, Tian Miao Li, Yuan Hu Xuan
Summary: This study identified a mutant related to Xoo, in which the deletion of RLK19-22 genes resulted in broad-spectrum resistance. The mutant showed induced expression of pathogenesis-related genes and increased cellular H2O2 levels compared to wild-type plants. Further analysis revealed the interaction between RLK20 and RBOHB, and co-expression of RLK20 and RBOHB reduced ROS accumulation. The findings provide important theoretical basis and valuable information for breeding rice cultivars resistant to bacterial blight.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yang Zou, Jie Luo, Zongxiang Tang, Shulan Fu
Summary: By studying the effects of structural alterations of chromosomes caused by tandem repeats on meiotic recombination, it was found that smaller structural differences between the distal regions of the two arms of the 5A chromosomes resulted in higher recombination frequencies in the interstitial region, and vice versa. Additionally, 5A chromosomes with complex cytological structure can be used to induce genetic variations of the wheat genome.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David A. Hernandez-Espinosa, Rocio Alcantara-Hernandez, K. Helivier Solis, J. Adolfo Garcia-Sainz
Summary: By substituting phosphorylation sites with non-phosphorylatable amino acids, the function of the alpha(1B)-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation sites in mediating receptor function was evaluated. The results showed that phosphorylation sites in the IL3 and Ctail domains play a significant role in regulating receptor function and mediating desensitization in response to phorbol ester.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Przemyslaw T. Kaczor, Aleksandra D. Wolska, Jerzy W. Mozrzymas
Summary: The GABA(A) receptor, a member of the Cys-loop family, plays a crucial role in brain inhibition, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its conformational transitions remain uncertain. In this study, mutations of H55 were found to primarily affect preactivation and desensitization transitions of the receptor, likely through influencing local electrostatic interactions at the receptor interface. Positive and negative residue substitutions at H55 resulted in opposite effects on receptor gating, indicating the involvement of electrostatic interactions in these processes.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paula G. Cerqueira, Damon Meyer, Lilin Zhang, Benjamin Mallory, Jie Liu, Becky Xu Hua Fu, Xiaoping Zhang, Wolf-Dietrich Heyer
Summary: The study reveals the critical role of yeast DNA polymerase IV (Pol4) in homology-directed DNA repair, particularly in Rad52-dependent/Rad51-independent direct-repeat recombination. It is found that Pol4 counteracts the Rad51 inhibition of Rad52-mediated repeat recombination events. In vitro experiments show that Rad51 directly inhibits Pol delta DNA synthesis, while Pol4 aids Pol delta in overcoming the DNA synthesis inhibition by Rad51.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Yan, Si Chen, Zhengyan Pan, Weichen Zhao, Yukui Rui, Lijuan Zhao
Summary: Seeds are facing more difficult conditions due to climate change. Enhancing seeds' stress resilience is crucial for reducing yield loss. In this study, researchers propose using ROS-generating nanoparticles (NPs) to stimulate seeds, which can enhance their stress resilience by triggering stress/immune responses. The results show that pre-stimulated seeds with AgNPs exhibit faster germination, increased seedling vigor, biomass, and root length compared to seeds treated with hydropriming. Additionally, the researchers found that AgNPs stimulation activated stress signaling and defense-related pathways in rice seeds, and this stress memory can last weeks, providing protection to rice seedlings against salt stress and rice blast fungus. This simple nanobiostimulant-based strategy can contribute to sustainable agriculture by maintaining agricultural production and reducing the use of pesticides.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Wang, Yuanjie Xie, Xiangyan Xie, Di Wu, Haitao Wu, Xingqi Luo, Qi Wu, Lijuan Zhao, Jinrong Wu
Summary: A novel strategy of ferric ion-induced salting out and coordination cross-linking is proposed to prepare a hierarchical hydrogel network with tissue-like mechanical properties. The hydrogel shows low elastic modulus, high strength, high toughness, excellent self-recovery ability, fatigue resistance, high water content, good biocompatibility, and multi-sensory capabilities.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Qiang Ma, Wenxuan Fu, Lijuan Zhao, Zhenqian Chen, Huaneng Su, Qian Xu
Summary: This work presents a double-layer porous electrode made of carbon paper and graphite felt for a vanadium-iron redox flow battery. A low-porosity carbon paper electrode near the membrane promotes the kinetics of the vanadium redox reaction and improves the hydrophilicity for better mass transfer. A high-porosity graphite felt electrode deposited with copper nanoparticles reduces resistances and enhances electrochemical activity. Experimental results show that the modified battery achieves higher energy efficiency and peak power density compared to a pristine graphite electrode, demonstrating the superiority of this double-layer electrode design.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hong Zhao, Linxin Ran, Yuanjie Xie, Furong Sun, Longfei Yi, Lijuan Zhao, Jinrong Wu
Summary: In this study, multilayer boron nitride/graphene composites were successfully fabricated using a sequentially layered assembly strategy. These composites exhibited excellent properties in terms of thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, and anti-static capacity. Furthermore, their practical application in dissipating heat generated by electronic devices was demonstrated. The findings of this study have the potential to inspire the design and fabrication of intelligent electronic devices with superior heat dissipation capacity.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shuming Yin, Mei Zhang, Yang Liu, Xiaoyue Sun, Yuting Guan, Xi Chen, Lei Yang, Yanan Huo, Jing Yang, Xiaohui Zhang, Honghui Han, Jiqin Zhang, Min -Min Xiao, Mingyao Liu, Jiazhi Hu, Liren Wang, Dali Li
Summary: Editing efficiency is crucial for CRISPR-based gene therapies, and this study demonstrates that fusing an HMG-D domain to the N terminus of SpCas9 significantly enhances editing efficiency. The HMG-D domain also improves the activity of other Cas9 orthologs and Cas9-based epigenetic regulators. It is found that eeCas9 exhibits comparable off-target effects with Cas9, but its specificity can be increased through different methods. In vivo and ex vivo experiments show that eeCas9 and its derivatives have higher editing activity and therapeutic efficacy in mice and human cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yunlong Cao, Fanchong Jian, Jing Wang, Yuanling Yu, Weiliang Song, Ayijiang Yisimayi, Jing Wang, Ran An, Xiaosu Chen, Na Zhang, Yao Wang, Peng Wang, Lijuan Zhao, Haiyan Sun, Lingling Yu, Sijie Yang, Xiao Niu, Tianhe Xiao, Qingqing Gu, Fei Shao, Xiaohua Hao, Yanli Xu, Ronghua Jin, Zhongyang Shen, Youchun Wang, Xiaoliang Sunney Xie
Summary: Continuous evolution of Omicron has led to the emergence of multiple variants with growth advantages, and mutations in their receptor-binding domain have converged on several hotspots, allowing them to evade neutralizing antibody drugs and convalescent plasma. Breakthrough infections of BA.2 and BA.5 have reduced the diversity of neutralizing antibody binding sites and promoted convergent evolution in the RBD.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Guangbing Luo, Bo Pang, Xingqi Luo, Xianguang Zeng, Yi Wang, Lijuan Zhao
Summary: A self-healing anticorrosion coating based on graphene-reinforced brominated butyl rubber is proposed. The coating exhibits high protection efficiency and self-healing effectiveness, providing excellent corrosion protection for steel substrates in strong acid, strong alkali, or high salt corrosive solutions, thus improving the service life of metallic equipment and components.
PROGRESS IN ORGANIC COATINGS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Si Chen, Zhao Kang, Jose R. Peralta-Videa, Lijuan Zhao
Summary: Research has found that molybdenum disulfide nanosheets have toxic effects on maize seedlings, including inhibiting plant growth and interfering with nutrient uptake. Additionally, the nanosheets have been shown to alter the structure of soil microbial communities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Si Chen, Xin Yan, Jose R. Peralta-Videa, Ziyao Su, Jie Hong, Lijuan Zhao
Summary: The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in agriculture has been explored as an alternative pesticide, with potential benefits to crop plants. However, further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of interaction between AgNPs and plants. The environmental implications of AgNPs as a replacement for pesticides also need to be assessed.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xing-Jie Dai, Li-Juan Zhao, Long-Hua Yang, Ting Guo, Lei-Peng Xue, Hong-Mei Ren, Zhi-Li Yin, Xiao-Peng Xiong, Ying Zhou, Shi-Kun Ji, Hui-Min Liu, Hong-Min Liu, Ying Liu, Yi-Chao Zheng
Summary: In this study, the antipsychotic drug chlorpromazine was identified as an LSD1 inhibitor, and a series of chlorpromazine derivatives were synthesized. Among them, compound 3s showed the most potent inhibitory activity. Compound 3s inhibited LSD1 at the cellular level, downregulated PD-L1 expression in gastric cancer cells, and enhanced T-cell killing response. Animal studies confirmed that compound 3s can inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation without significant toxicity in immunocompetent mice. These findings suggest that compound 3s may serve as a lead compound for further development to activate T-cell immunity in gastric cancer.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yue Hong, Wei Xu, Lijuan Zhao
Summary: This study examined the internal influencing mechanism of grandchild care on the depression levels of Chinese grandparents. It found that the experience of caring for grandchildren had a significant negative correlation with the depression level of Chinese grandparents. Furthermore, children's support played an important mediating role in the relationship between caregiving experience and grandparents' depression.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinglong Wang, Julien Le Gall, Richard L. Frock, Terence R. Strick
Summary: Using Sanger sequencing, high-throughput genome sequencing, and single-molecule experiments, the authors observe that the Streptococcus pyogenes SpCas9 complex generates overhanging DNA ends in response to internal mechanical strain. They also find that the dissociation of the complex and release of broken DNA ends are rate-limiting steps of the reaction.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Optics
Zhao Lijuan, Wu Yujing, Xu Zhiniu, Liu Qi
Summary: Optical fiber sensors are highly valued for their simplicity and resistance to interference. Sagnac interferometer based temperature sensors are widely used due to their high sensitivity and ease of production. Special fiber design in Sagnac rings can improve the sensing performance of Sagnac-type temperature sensors.
ACTA PHOTONICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Li-Juan Zhao, Ying LI, Hong-Fei Duan
Summary: To solve the dust treatment problem of the Permian extra thick coal seam mined by Tashan Coal Mine, a comprehensive dust treatment technology research was conducted focusing on the 8106 and 8210 comprehensive discharge faces of the mine. The research analyzed and studied four aspects, including coal seam water injection process, determination of water injection parameters, inspection of water injection and dust reduction effect, and application promotion prospects.
Article
Oncology
Paul G. Barghouth, Stavros Melemenidis, Pierre Montay-Gruel, Jonathan Ollivier, Vignesh Viswanathan, Patrik G. Jorge, Luis A. Soto, Brianna C. Lau, Cheyenne Sadeghi, Anushka Edlabadkar, Richard Zhang, Ning Ru, Janet E. Baulch, Rakesh Manjappa, Jinghui Wang, Marie Le Bouteiller, Murat Surucu, Amy Yu, Karl Bush, Lawrie Skinner, Peter G. Maxim, Billy W. Loo Jr, Charles L. Limoli, Marie-Catherine Vozenin, Richard L. Frock
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the effects of radiotherapy at different dose rates on DNA double strand breaks. The results showed that both ultra high dose rate and conventional dose rate radiotherapy produced chromosomal translocations, and the levels and structures were not significantly different from those produced by conventional dose rate radiotherapy.
RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
(2023)