K. Dong

A domain-swapped CaMKII conformation facilitates linker-mediated allosteric regulation

This study identifies a domain-swapped conformation in CaMKII that enables linker-mediated allosteric regulation, demonstrated through structural, computational, and live-cell analyses.

Prevalence and preferred niche of small eukaryotes with mixotrophic potentials in the global ocean

This study examines the prevalence and niche preferences of mixotrophic eukaryotes in the ocean, finding they thrive under low nutrients and light but depend on prey availability.

Relative importance of bacterivorous mixotrophs in an estuary-coast environment

The paper investigates the role of mixotrophic eukaryotes as bacterivores in a coastal region, finding they contribute significantly to bacterivory despite being less dominant than heterotrophs.

Human Saliva Modifies Growth, Biofilm Architecture and Competitive Behaviors of Oral Streptococci

This study shows that human saliva affects growth, biofilm structure, and competitive interactions between oral streptococci species.

Bacterial pathogens deliver water/solute-permeable channels as a virulence strategy

This study identifies AvrE/DspE-family effectors as water/solute-permeable channels that facilitate bacterial virulence by causing host cell swelling and death.

Coronary Artery Disease Risk Gene PRDM16 is Preferentially Expressed in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and a Potential Novel Regulator of Smooth Muscle Homeostasis

This study identifies PRDM16 as a novel regulator of vascular smooth muscle cell homeostasis, showing its preferential expression in contractile VSMCs and its role in modulating CAD risk genes.

Novel Viroid-like RNAs Naturally Infect a Filamentous Fungus

The paper identifies novel viroid-like circular RNAs in a fungal host, showing they replicate autonomously and modulate host biology, suggesting a new class of viroid-like entities in fungi.

The LncRNA Carmn is a Critical Regulator for Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscle Contractile Function and Motility

This study identifies Carmn, a SMC-specific lncRNA, as critical for maintaining GI smooth muscle contractile function and motility, with loss of function leading to impaired contractility and pseudo-obstruction.

The C-terminal tail of polycystin-1 suppresses cystic disease in a mitochondrial enzyme-dependent fashion

The study shows that a C-terminal fragment of PC1 suppresses cystic disease in a murine model by interacting with a mitochondrial enzyme, affecting metabolism and mitochondrial function.

Wild pigs mediate far-reaching agricultural impacts on tropical forest soil microbial communities

The paper shows that wild pigs, influenced by agriculture, alter soil microbial communities over 1 km into protected areas, affecting diversity and fungal abundance through leaf litter removal and plant changes.

Elevation-related climate trends dominate fungal co-occurrence patterns on Mt. Norikura, Japan

This study examines fungal co-occurrence networks along an elevation gradient on Mt. Norikura, finding that climate factors dominate network connectivity patterns, with significant declines between 700 m and 1500 m elevation.

Characterisation of bacteriophage JD419, a Staphylococcal phage with an unusual morphology and broad host range

This paper characterizes bacteriophage JD419, which has a broad host range and retains lytic activity under various conditions, and reports its genome lacking virulence or antibiotic resistance genes.

Low Replication Capacity Virus Is Preferentially Transmitted In Mother-To-Child-Transmission But Not In Adult-To-Adult-Transmission Of HIV-1

The paper compares viral replicative capacity in mother-to-child and adult-to-adult HIV-1 transmission, finding lower replicative capacity in MTCT viruses.