H. S. Malik

Widespread fungal-bacterial competition for magnesium enhances antibiotic resistance

Fungi sequester magnesium from bacteria, reducing their fitness but increasing antibiotic resistance to colistin.

A single polymorphic residue in humans underlies species-specific restriction of HSV-1 by the antiviral protein MxB

The paper identifies a single amino acid variant in MxB that determines HSV-1 restriction in humans, showing that this variant is absent in other primates and has recently become common in humans.

Genetic conflicts between sex chromosomes drive expansion and loss of sperm nuclear basic protein genes in Drosophila

This study investigates SNBP gene evolution in Drosophila, finding that genetic conflicts between sex chromosomes drive their expansion and loss.

Recurrent but short-lived duplications of centromeric proteins in holocentric Caenorhabditis species

The paper identifies frequent gene duplications of centromeric proteins in Caenorhabditis species, showing short-term retention and subsequent degeneration.

Novel classes and evolutionary turnover of histone H2B variants in the mammalian germline

This study identifies two new H2B variants in mammals and shows their expression in the germline, suggesting roles in chromatin packaging or non-chromatin functions.

A rapidly evolving actin mediates fertility and developmental tradeoffs in Drosophila

This study identifies Arp53D as a rapidly evolving Drosophila actin-related protein that negatively affects male fertility but is essential for female fertility and early development.

The novel anti-CRISPR AcrIIA22 relieves DNA torsion in target plasmids and impairs SpyCas9 activity

The paper identifies AcrIIA22 as an anti-CRISPR protein that inhibits SpyCas9 by relieving DNA torsion in plasmids.

Mutational resilience of antiviral restriction favors primate TRIM5α in host-virus evolutionary arms races

The paper uses deep mutational scanning to assess how mutations in the TRIM5 v1 loop affect retroviral restriction, finding that most mutations enhance or preserve antiviral function.

A natural variant of the essential host gene MMS21 restricts the parasitic 2-micron plasmid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The paper identifies a natural variant of MMS21 that restricts 2-micron plasmids in S. cerevisiae by increasing plasmid instability through a single amino acid change.

Hybridization promotes asexual reproduction in Caenorhabditis nematodes

This paper investigates how hybridization between two Caenorhabditis nematode species leads to asexual reproduction through altered meiosis and genome inheritance.

Dynamic evolution of de novo DNA methyltransferases in rodent and primate genomes

This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of DNMT3C in rodents and DNMT3A in primates, revealing diversifying selection in their N-termini linked to retrotransposon repression.

P2X1 selective antagonists block HIV-1 infection through inhibition of envelope conformation-dependent fusion

This paper shows P2X1 antagonists block HIV-1 infection by inhibiting envelope conformation-dependent fusion across multiple viral clades.

Combinatorial mutagenesis of rapidly-evolving residues yields super-restrictor antiviral proteins

The paper uses combinatorial mutagenesis to generate super-restrictor antiviral proteins against Thogoto virus, finding variants with enhanced restriction activity compared to wild-type MxA.

A burst of genetic innovation in actin-related proteins (Arps) for testis-specific function in a Drosophila lineage

The paper identifies four lineage-specific Arp gene duplications in Drosophila obscura group, showing positive selection and male germline expression, with Arp2D potentially enhancing Arp2 function in sperm development.

Functional metagenomics-guided discovery of potent Cas9 inhibitors in the human microbiome

The paper identifies potent Cas9 inhibitors from human microbiomes using functional metagenomics, discovering AcrIIA11 as a strong inhibitor with a novel mechanism.

Density-dependent resistance protects Legionella pneumophila from its own antimicrobial metabolite, HGA

This study shows that Legionella pneumophila uses HGA, a self-produced antimicrobial, to inhibit competitors but is resistant to it when at high density, suggesting a density-dependent resistance mechanism.

Gametic specialization of centromeric histone paralogs in Drosophila virilis

This study shows that two CenH3 paralogs in Drosophila virilis are specialized for male and female gametes, with Cid1 retained in oogenesis and Cid5 in sperm, and that Cid1 replaces Cid5 after fertilization.

Evolutionary origins and diversification of testis-specific short histone H2A variants in mammals

This study investigates the evolutionary origins and diversification of testis-specific short H2A histone variants in mammals, identifying a novel variant and tracing their lineage-specific evolution.

Recurrent gene duplication leads to diverse repertoires of centromeric histones in Drosophila species

This study identifies four independent gene duplications of the centromeric histone gene Cid in Drosophila species, showing that duplicates localize to centromeres and may have subfunctionalized to perform distinct roles.