L. Zhai

Cell Type Specific Responses of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Dynamics to Environmental Stress

This study develops a super-resolution imaging and analysis method to study ER dynamics in Arabidopsis under environmental stress, revealing correlations between ER structure parameters and growth features.

Rho of plant GTPase MxROP1 regulates Fe deficiency responses by targeting Zinc Ribbon 3 in apple rootstock

This study identifies MxROP1 as a regulator of Fe deficiency responses in apple rootstock by interacting with ZR3.1 and modulating its stability and interaction with MxbHLH39.

The histone lysine demethylase KDM5C fine-tunes gene expression to regulate dendritic cell heterogeneity and function

This study shows KDM5C regulates dendritic cell (DC) heterogeneity and function by modulating epigenetic programming and subset balance, affecting immune responses to infection.

Surf4 deficiency reduces intestinal lipid absorption and secretion and decreases metabolism in mice

This study shows that intestinal Surf4 deficiency reduces lipid absorption, secretion, and metabolism in mice, leading to weight loss and altered lipid levels.

Semi-rational evolution of a recombinant DNA polymerase for modified nucleotide incorporation efficiency

This study improves a DNA polymerase's ability to incorporate modified nucleotides through combinatorial mutagenesis, resulting in a 20-fold efficiency gain.

The histone demethylase KDM5C controls female bone mass by promoting energy metabolism in osteoclasts

This study shows that KDM5C, an X-linked demethylase, promotes energy metabolism in osteoclasts to regulate female bone mass, offering a new target for osteoporosis treatment in women.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveal distinct subsets of activated dendritic cells in the tumor microenvironment

The paper identifies an interferon-regulated activated sessile subset of dendritic cells in tumors using single-cell RNA sequencing.

A cell-permeant nanobody-based degrader that induces fetal hemoglobin

A cell-permeant nanobody-based degrader depletes BCL11A in erythroid cells, inducing fetal hemoglobin expression.

Novel sterol binding domains in bacteria

This study identifies three novel bacterial proteins involved in sterol transport, revealing their structural and functional specificity for 4-methylsterols and their widespread presence in bacterial genomes.

Gut microbiota-derived tryptamine impairs insulin sensitivity

This study identifies tryptamine, a gut microbiota-derived metabolite, as a contributor to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes through TAAR1-ERK signaling.

Phenethylamine-producing gut bacteria induces diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome by increasing serotonin biosynthesis

This study identifies Ruminococcus gnavus as a gut bacterium that contributes to IBS-D by increasing serotonin biosynthesis through phenethylamine production.

Rational evolution of a recombinant DNA polymerase for efficient incorporation of unnatural nucleotides by dual-site boosting

The paper improves a DNA polymerase's efficiency for unnatural nucleotide incorporation by identifying two key mutations through machine learning and mechanistic analysis.

Single-cell transcriptomic profile reveals macrophage heterogeneity in medulloblastoma and their treatment-dependent recruitment

The paper uses single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing to study macrophage heterogeneity in medulloblastoma and shows differential recruitment with targeted vs. radiation therapy.

A Clostridia-rich microbiota contributes to increased excretion of bile acids in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

This study identifies a Clostridia-rich microbiota as a contributor to excessive bile acid excretion in IBS-D patients through metagenomic and metabolomic analyses.