M. Cai

FITM2 deficiency results in ER lipid accumulation, ER stress, reduced apolipoprotein B lipidation, and VLDL triglyceride secretion in vitro and in mouse liver

This study shows FITM2 deficiency reduces VLDL triglyceride secretion and causes ER stress and lipid accumulation in liver cells and mice.

Phosphoproteomic identification of Mos-MAPK targets in meiotic cell cycle and asymmetric oocyte divisions

The paper identifies Mos-MAPK targets in starfish oocytes using phosphoproteomics, revealing roles in mRNA polyadenylation and cytoskeletal regulation during meiosis.

Diversity of Bathyarchaeia viruses in metagenomes and virus-encoded CRISPR system components

The paper identifies 56 metagenome-assembled genomes of Bathyarchaeia viruses and describes their CRISPR system components, revealing potential counter-defense mechanisms.

α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Regulates Pathological Cardiac Remodeling by Activating Melanocortin 5 Receptor in Cardiomyocytes

This study shows that α-MSH protects against cardiac remodeling by activating MC5-R in cardiomyocytes, suggesting potential therapeutic use of its analogs in heart failure.

EB1 decoration of microtubule lattice facilitates spindle-kinetochore lateral attachment in Plasmodium male gametogenesis

This study identifies Plasmodium EB1's unique MT-lattice binding role in facilitating spindle-kinetochore lateral attachment during male gametogenesis, essential for proper chromosome segregation and parasite transmission.

3D co-culture of macrophages and fibroblasts in a sessile drop chip for unveiling the role of macrophages in skin wound-healing

This study develops a sessile drop chip to create 3D spheroids of fibroblasts and macrophages, showing that M2 macrophages enhance fibroblast proliferation and differentiation in a wound-healing model.

Melanocortin 1 receptor regulates cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in the liver

This study shows that MC1-R in hepatocytes regulates cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, with its deficiency causing hypercholesterolemia and liver fibrosis.

A 4-bp natural deletion of maize Na+/H+ exchanger gene alters maize salt stress tolerance

This paper identifies a 4-bp deletion in the maize ZmSOS1 gene that causes salt sensitivity and develops a molecular marker to improve salt tolerance in breeding programs.

RPG interacts with E3-ligase CERBERUS to mediate rhizobial infection in Lotus japonicus

The paper identifies RPG as required for infection thread formation in Lotus japonicus and shows it interacts with CERBERUS to mediate polarity growth driven by nuclear migration.

Expansion and Adaptive Evolution of the mTERF Gene Family in Plants

The paper analyzes the expansion and adaptive evolution of mTERF genes in plants, finding that M-class mTERF genes expanded via tandem duplication and evolved rapidly with positive selection in nucleic acid-binding sites.

A live attenuated influenza virus-vectored intranasal COVID-19 vaccine provides rapid, prolonged, and broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection

This study develops an intranasal vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 using an influenza virus vector and shows it provides rapid, prolonged, and broad protection against multiple variants in hamsters.

Water Pollution and Administrative Division Adjustments: A Quasi-natural Experiment in Chaohu Lake of China

This study examines the environmental impact of administrative division adjustments on Chaohu Lake using a quasi-natural experiment and synthetic control method, finding mixed effects on water quality indicators.

Sterilizing immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in hamsters conferred by a novel recombinant subunit vaccine

This paper develops a subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 that induces sterilizing immunity in hamsters, with high neutralizing antibody titers and protection against infection and symptoms.

Proto-sex locus in large yellow croaker provides insights into early evolution of the sex chromosome

The paper identifies a proto-sex locus in large yellow croaker, showing reduced recombination and dmrt1 expression in testis development and shared functional links between genetic sex determination and environmental sex reversal.

Dual oxidase gene Duox and Toll-like receptor 3 gene TLR3 in the Toll pathway suppress zoonotic pathogens through regulating the intestinal bacterial community homeostasis in Hermetia illucens L.

This study investigates how Duox and TLR3 genes in Hermetia illucens larvae suppress zoonotic pathogens by modulating intestinal bacterial community homeostasis through immune signaling pathways.

Highly diverse Asgard archaea participate in organic matter degradation in coastal sediments

This study identifies a new Asgard archaeal phylum, Gerdarchaeota, and shows their role in organic matter degradation in coastal sediments through genomic and transcriptomic analysis.

Consideration of species-specific diatom indicators of anthropogenic stress in the Great Lakes

The paper evaluates diatom species in Great Lakes sediment cores to determine their ability to indicate anthropogenic stress, finding some species reliably correlate with stressors while others are ambiguous.

Asgard archaea are diverse, ubiquitous, and transcriptionally active microbes

This study identifies 13 Asgard archaeal subgroups, reveals their widespread distribution in anaerobic environments, and provides evidence of their transcriptionally active mixotrophic lifestyle.