Zhe Chen

Replication competition drives the selective mtDNA inheritance in Drosophila ovary

The paper uses in situ imaging to show that mtDNA selection in Drosophila ovaries is driven by replication competition, not active elimination.

Mitochondrial DNA removal is essential for sperm development and activity

This study shows that mitochondrial DNA removal is essential for sperm development and activity, revealing a novel exonuclease, ExoA, required for mtDNA elimination and preventing nuclear-mito imbalance.

Epigenetic reprogramming induced by Acetyl-CoA and SAM depletion is an evolutionarily-ancient path to malignant growth

This study identifies common metabolic and epigenetic changes in fly and human tumors, showing that metabolite depletion drives tumorigenesis across species.

A transcription network underlies the dual genomic coordination of mitochondrial biogenesis

The paper identifies a transcriptional network regulating mitochondrial biogenesis in Drosophila by combining RNAi screening and ChIP-seq analysis, revealing key factors like CG1603 and YL-1.

FRET monitoring of transcription factor activities in living bacteria

This paper develops a FRET-based assay to monitor TF-promoter interactions in living bacteria and demonstrates its application in identifying modulators and studying bacterial-host interactions.

The PPR domain of mitochondrial RNA polymerase is a ribonuclease required for mtDNA replication

This study identifies the PPR domain of POLRMT as an exoribonuclease essential for mtDNA replication and transcription proofreading in Drosophila and humans.

An ancient deletion in the ABO gene affects the composition of the porcine microbiome by altering intestinal N-acetyl-galactosamine concentrations