Discovering Cathodic Biocompatibility for Aqueous Zn–MnO_(2) Battery:An Integrating Biomass Carbon Strategy

Developing high-performance aqueous Zn-ion batteries from sustainable biomass becomes increasingly vital for large-scale energy storage in the foreseeable future.Therefore,γ-MnO_(2) uniformly loaded on N-doped carbon derived from grapefruit peel is successfully fabricated in this work,and particularly the composite cathode with carbon carrier quality percentage of 20 wt%delivers the specific capacity of 391.2 mAh g^(−1)at 0.1 A g^(−1),outstanding cyclic stability of 92.17%after 3000 cycles at 5 A g^(−1),and remarkable energy density of 553.12 Wh kg^(−1) together with superior coulombic efficiency of~100%.Additionally,the cathodic biosafety is further explored specifically through in vitro cell toxicity experiments,which verifies its tremendous potential in the application of clinical medicine.Besides,Zinc ion energy storage mechanism of the cathode is mainly discussed from the aspects of Jahn–Teller effect and Mn domains distribution combined with theoretical analysis and experimental data.Thus,a novel perspective of the conversion from biomass waste to biocompatible Mn-based cathode is successfully developed.

Extending the spatiotemporal resolution of super-resolution microscopies using photomodulatable °uorescent proteins

In the past two decades,various super-resolution(SR)microscopy techniques have been developed to break the di®raction limit using subdi®raction excitation to spatially modulate the°uorescence emission.Photomodulatable°uorescent proteins(FPs)can be activated by light of speci¯c wavelengths to produce either stochastic or patterned subdi®raction excitation,resulting in improved optical resolution.In this review,we focus on the recently developed photomodulatable FPs or commonly used SR microscopies and discuss the concepts and strategies for optimizing and selecting the biochemical and photophysical properties of PMFPs to improve the spatiotemporal resolution of SR techniques,especially time-lapse live-cell SR techniques.

Phosphoglucose isomerase gene expression as a prognostic biomarker of gastric cancer

Objective: Tumor heterogeneity renders identification of suitable biomarkers of gastric cancer(GC)challenging. Here, we aimed to identify prognostic genes of GC using computational analysis.Methods: We first used microarray technology to profile gene expression of GC and paired nontumor tissues from 198 patients. Based on these profiles and patients’ clinical information, we next identified prognostic genes using novel computational approaches. Phosphoglucose isomerase, also known as glucose-6-phosphate isomerase(GPI), which ranked first among 27 candidate genes, was further investigated by a new analytical tool namely enviro-geno-pheno-state(E-GPS) analysis. Suitability of GPI as a prognostic marker, and its relationship with physiological processes such as metabolism, epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT), as well as drug sensitivity were evaluated using both our own and independent public datasets.Results: We found that higher expression of GPI in GC correlated with prolonged survival of patients.Particularly, a combination of CDH2 and GPI expression effectively stratified the outcomes of patients with TNM stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ. Down-regulation of GPI in tumor tissues correlated well with depressed glucose metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, as well as enhanced fatty acid oxidation and creatine metabolism, indicating that GPI represents a suitable marker for increased probability of EMT in GC cells.Conclusions: Our findings strongly suggest that GPI acts as a novel biomarker candidate for GC prognosis,allowing greatly enhanced clinical management of GC patients. The potential metabolic rewiring correlated with GPI also provides new insights into studying the relationship between cancer metabolism and patient survival.

AlphaFold2 and its applications in the fields of biology and medicine

AlphaFold2(AF2)is an artificial intelligence(AI)system developed by DeepMind that can predict three-dimensional(3D)structures of proteins from amino acid sequences with atomic-level accuracy.Protein structure prediction is one of the most challenging problems in computational biology and chemistry,and has puzzled scientists for 50 years.The advent of AF2 presents an unprecedented progress in protein structure prediction and has attracted much attention.Subsequent release of structures of more than 200 million proteins predicted by AF2 further aroused great enthusiasm in the science community,especially in the fields of biology and medicine.AF2 is thought to have a significant impact on structural biology and research areas that need protein structure information,such as drug discovery,protein design,prediction of protein function,et al.Though the time is not long since AF2 was developed,there are already quite a few application studies of AF2 in the fields of biology and medicine,with many of them having preliminarily proved the potential of AF2.To better understand AF2 and promote its applications,we will in this article summarize the principle and system architecture of AF2 as well as the recipe of its success,and particularly focus on reviewing its applications in the fields of biology and medicine.Limitations of current AF2 prediction will also be discussed.

RNA biology and therapeutics

Eukaryotic genomes undergo pervasive transcription,generating vast amounts of noncoding RNAs alongside protein-coding mRNAs[1].These noncoding RNAs,including small noncoding RNAs,long noncoding RNAs(lncRNAs),and circular RNAs,have been shown to play critical roles in gene regulation,chromatin remodeling,assembly of membraneless organelles,and other essential biological processes.They function through a diverse range of mechanisms[2],[3],[4],[5].Dysregulation of noncoding RNAs contributes to human disease pathogenesis and affects plant development and stress response[6],[7],[8].Over the past decade,significant progress has been made in unraveling the functions of noncoding RNAs and elucidating the molecular mechanisms by which they operate.The involvement of noncoding RNAs in human disease pathogenesis and agronomic trait regulation has garnered increasing attention.

Circular RNA circZbtb20 maintains ILC3 homeostasis and function via Alkbh5-dependent m6A demethylation of Nr4a1 mRNA

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells(ILC3s)play critical roles in innate immunity and gut homeostasis.However,how ILC3 homeostasis is regulated remains elusive.Here,we identified a novel circular RNA,circZbtb20,that is highly expressed in ILC3s and required for their maintenance and function.CircZbtb20 deletion causes reduced ILC3 numbers,increasing susceptibility to C.rodentium infection.Mechanistically,circZbtb20 enhances the interaction of Alkbh5 with Nr4a1 mRNA,leading to ablation of the m6A modification of Nr4a1 mRNA to promote its stability.Nr4a1 initiates Notch2 signaling activation,which contributes to the maintenance of ILC3 homeostasis.Deletion of Alkbh5 or Nr4a1 also impairs ILC3 homeostasis and increases susceptibilities to bacterial infection.Thus,our findings reveal an important role of circular RNA in the regulation of innate lymphoid cell homeostasis.

Structural insights reveal the specific recognition of meiRNA by the Mei2 protein

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe,Mei2,an RNA-binding protein essential for entry into meiosis,regulates meiosis initiation.Mei2 binds to a specific non-coding RNA species,meiRNA,and accumulates at the sme2 gene locus,which encodes meiRNA.Previous research has shown that the Mei2 C-terminal RNA recognition motif(RRM3)physically interacts with the meiRNA 5'region in vitro and stimulates meiosis in vivo.However,the underlying mechanisms still remain elusive.We first employed an in vitro crosslinking and immunoprecipitation sequencing(CLIP-seq)assay and demonstrated a preference for U-rich motifs of meiRNA by Mei2 RRM3.We then solved the crystal structures of Mei2 RRM3 in the apo form and complex with an 8 mer RNA fragment,derived from meiRNA,as detected by in vitro CLIP-seq.These results provide structural insights into the Mei2 RRM3-meiRNA complex and reveal that Mei2 RRM3 binds specifically to the Uuc(U)sequence.Furthermore,a structure-based Mei2 mutation,Mei2F644A causes defective karyogamy,suggesting an essential role of the RNA-binding ability of Mei2 in regulating meiosis.

Anti-CRISPRs: The natural inhibitors for CRISPR-Cas systems

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)‐Cas (CRISPR associated protein) systems serve as the adaptive immune system by which prokaryotes defend themselves against phages. It has also been developed into a series of powerful gene‐editing tools. As the natural inhibitors of CRISPR‐Cas systems, anti‐CRISPRs (Acrs) can be used as the “off‐switch” for CRISPR‐Cas systems to limit the off‐target effects caused by Cas9. Since the discovery of CRISPR‐Cas systems, much research has focused on the identification, mechanisms and applications of Acrs. In light of the rapid development and scientific significance of this field, this review summarizes the history and research status of Acrs, and considers future applications.

RNA structure determination:From 2D to 3D

RNA molecules serve a wide range of functions that are closely linked to their structures.The basic structural units of RNA consist of single-and double-stranded regions.In order to carry out advanced functions such as catalysis and ligand binding,certain types of RNAs can adopt higher-order structures.The analysis of RNA structures has progressed alongside advancements in structural biology techniques,but it comes with its own set of challenges and corresponding solutions.In this review,we will discuss recent advances in RNA structure analysis techniques,including structural probing methods,X-ray crystallography,nuclear magnetic resonance,cryo-electron microscopy,and small-angle X-ray scattering.Often,a combination of multiple techniques is employed for the integrated analysis of RNA structures.We also survey important RNA structures that have been recently determined using various techniques.

Mechanosensing via Immunereceptors

The immune response is orchestrated by a variety of immune cells,the function of which then is determined by the collective signals from different immunoreceptors.Recent studies have highlighted the presence of mechanical force on these receptor-ligand pairs and its important role in regulating antigen recognition/discrimination and function.In this perspective,we use the T cell receptor as an example to review the current understanding of the mechanosensing properties of immunoreceptors.We discuss the types of forces that immunoreceptors may encounter,the effects on ligand recognition,conformational changes and mechanosensing mechanisms,as well as the consequences in downstream signal transduction and function.

Identification and analysis of intermediate-size noncoding RNAs in the rhesus macaque fetal brain

Although only about 2%of the human genome has proved to be protein-coding genes,recent advances in genome wide analysis have revealed that the majority of the genome is transcribed,mainly from noncoding segments that were once considered＂junk sequences＂or＂dark matters＂（Liu et al.,2011a;Zhang et al.,2014b）. In addition to the well-characterized housekeeping non- coding RNAs （ncRNAs） （tRNA, rRNA, small nuclear RNA and small nucleolar RNAs） and some small regulatory ncRNAs （microRNAs and small interfering RNAs）, the transcriptome of mammals could also pervasively have been transcribed long noncoding RNAs （lncRNAs, at least 200 nt） （Rinn and Chang, 2012; Xie et al., 2012）.

ADAR1:a mast regulator of aging and immunity

Recently,Nature and Nature Cell Biology published five papers on the function and molecular mechanism of ADAR1(adenosine deaminases acting on RNA)in aging,cancer,and autoimmune diseases.1,2,3,4,5 Among them,four papers published in Nature revealed that ADAR1 regulates autoimmune disease and cancer immunotherapy through canonical adenosine-to-inosine(A-to-I)RNA editing.

秀丽隐杆线虫RNA结合蛋白复合物AMG-1/SLRP-1通过线粒体稳态维持实现调控生殖腺发育和精子发生

RNA结合蛋白(mtRBP)介导的mRNA转录后调节对精子发生必不可少但却鲜有报道.在本文中,我们鉴定到一个在生殖腺中特异性表达的线粒体RNA结合蛋白AMG-1,它是秀丽隐杆线虫精子发生过程中必需的蛋白,同时与哺乳动物LRPPRC蛋白同源.amg-1突变会阻碍生殖腺的发育,最终导致生殖细胞的线粒体形态和结构异常以及线粒体功能障碍.通过测序鉴定RNA结合蛋白的靶点发现,AMG-1更倾向于与mtDNA编码的参与线粒体核糖体组装的12S和16S核糖体RNA(rRNA)结合,12S rRNA对于维持生殖细胞线粒体蛋白稳态至关重要,而12S rRNA的表达却受AMG-1蛋白调节.此外,哺乳动物SLIRP在秀丽线虫中的同源蛋白SLRP-1蛋白与AMG-1在遗传上存在互作关系,它们可共同调节秀丽线虫的精子发生和育性.综上所述,这些发现揭示了mtRBP蛋白AMG-1在线粒体调控中的新机制,这可能为由线粒体功能障碍引发的男性不育治疗提供新的理论基础.

Exploring noncoding variants in genetic diseases:from detection to functional insights

Previous studies on genetic diseases predominantly focused on protein-coding variations, overlooking the vast noncoding regions in the human genome. The development of high-throughput sequencing technologies and functional genomics tools has enabled the systematic identification of functional noncoding variants. These variants can impact gene expression, regulation, and chromatin conformation, thereby contributing to disease pathogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the impact of noncoding variants on genetic diseases is indispensable for the development of precisely targeted therapies and the implementation of personalized medicine strategies. The intricacies of noncoding regions introduce a multitude of challenges and research opportunities. In this review, we introduce a spectrum of noncoding variants involved in genetic diseases, along with research strategies and advanced technologies for their precise identification and in-depth understanding of the complexity of the noncoding genome. We will delve into the research challenges and propose potential solutions for unraveling the genetic basis of rare and complex diseases.

Molecular characteristics and evolutionary analysis of a very virulent infectious bursal disease virus

Infectious bursal disease virus （IBDV） poses a significant threat to the poultry industry. Viral protein 2 （VP2）, the major struc- tural protein of IBDV, has been subjected to frequent mutations that have imparted tremendous genetic diversity to the virus. To determine how amino acid mutations may affect the virulence of IBDV, we built a structural model of VP2 of a very virulent strain of IBDV identified in China, vvIBDV Gx, and performed a molecular dynamics simulation of the interaction between virulence sites. The study showed that the amino acid substitutions that distinguish vvlBDV from attenuated IBDV （H253Q and T284A） favor a hydrophobic and flexible conformation of β-barrel loops in VP2, which could promote interac- tions between the virus and potential IBDV-specific receptors. Population sequence analysis revealed that the IBDV strains prevalent in East Asia show a significant signal of positive selection at virulence sites 253 and 284. In addition, a signal of co-evolution between sites 253 and 284 was identified. These results suggest that changes in the virulence of IBDV may result from both the interaction and the co-evolution of multiple amino acid substitutions at virulence sites.

Noncoding RNA:from dark matter to bright star

The central dogma states that genes encoded in the DNA should be first transcribed into messenger RNA(mRNA)and then translated into functional proteins(Crick,1970).This dogma has been written in numerous textbooks and learned by myriad students.However,along with the completion of the human genome project in June 2000,an astonishing fact was revealed:only 1.5%of the human genome encodes for proteins(Lander et al.,2001;Venter et al.,2001).This fact raised three fundamental questions:(i)why does the human genome have so few protein-coding genes?(ii)how to explain the apparent differences between humans and other species using the limited coding genes?(iii)what are the roles of the noncoding regions in our genome?

Liquid-liquid phase separation in biology: mechanisms,physiological functions and human diseases

Cells are compartmentalized by numerous membrane-enclosed organelles and membraneless compartments to ensure that a wide variety of cellular activities occur in a spatially and temporally controlled manner. The molecular mechanisms underlying the dynamics of membrane-bound organelles, such as their fusion and fission, vesicle-mediated trafficking and membrane contactmediated inter-organelle interactions, have been extensively characterized. However, the molecular details of the assembly and functions of membraneless compartments remain elusive. Mounting evidence has emerged recently that a large number of membraneless compartments, collectively called biomacromolecular condensates, are assembled via liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS). Phase-separated condensates participate in various biological activities, including higher-order chromatin organization,gene expression, triage of misfolded or unwanted proteins for autophagic degradation, assembly of signaling clusters and actin-and microtubule-based cytoskeletal networks, asymmetric segregations of cell fate determinants and formation of pre-and post-synaptic density signaling assemblies. Biomacromolecular condensates can transition into different material states such as gel-like structures and solid aggregates. The material properties of condensates are crucial for fulfilment of their distinct functions, such as biochemical reaction centers, signaling hubs and supporting architectures. Cells have evolved multiple mechanisms to ensure that biomacromolecular condensates are assembled and disassembled in a tightly controlled manner. Aberrant phase separation and transition are causatively associated with a variety of human diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. This review summarizes recent major progress in elucidating the roles of LLPS in various biological pathways and diseases.

TDP-43 regulates cancer-associated microRNAs

regulation of miRNA genes contributes to pathogenesis of a wide range of human diseases, including cancer. The TAR DNA binding protein 43 （TDP- 43）, a RNAJDNA binding protein associated with neu- rodegeneration, is involved in miRNA biogenesis. Here, we systematically examined miRNAs regulated by TDP- 43 using RNA-Seq coupled with an siRNA-mediated knockdown approach. TDP-43 knockdown affected the expression of a number of miRNAs. In addition, TDP-43 down-regulation led to alterations in the patterns of dif- ferent isoforms of miRNAs （isomiRs） and miRNA arm selection, suggesting a previously unknown role of TDP- 43 in miRNA processing. A number of TDP-43 associ- ated miRNAs, and their candidate target genes, are associated with human cancers. Our data reveal highly complex roles of TDP-43 in regulating different miRNAs and their target genes. Our results suggest that TDP-43 may promote migration of lung cancer cells by regulat- ing miR-423-3p. In contrast, TDP-43 increases miR-500a- 3p expression and binds to the mature miR-500a-3p sequence. Reduced expression of miR-500a-3p is associated with poor survival of lung cancer patients,suggesting that TDP-43 may have a suppressive role in cancer by regulating miR-500a-3p. Cancer-associated genes LIF and PAPPA are possible targets of miR-500a- 3p. Our work suggests that TDP-43-regulated miRNAs may play multifaceted roles in the pathogenesis of cancer.

Crystal structure of Cas1 in complex with branched DNA

Cas1 is a key component of the CRISPR adaptation complex,which captures and integrates foreign DNA into the CRISPR array,resulting in the generation of new spacers.We have determined crystal structures of Thermus thermophilus Cas1 involved in new spacer acquisition both in complex with branched DNA and in the free state.Cas1 forms an asymmetric dimer without DNA.Conversely,two asymmetrical dimers bound to two branched DNAs result in the formation of a DNA-mediated tetramer,dimer of structurally asymmetrical dimers,in which the two subunits markedly present different conformations.In the DNA binding complex,the N-terminal domain adopts different orientations with respect to the C-terminal domain in the two monomers that form the dimer.Substrate binding triggers a conformational change in the loop 164–177 segment.This loop is also involved in the 3′fork arm and 5′fork arm strand recognition in monomer A and B,respectively.This study provides important insights into the molecular mechanism of new spacer adaptation.

SmProt: A Reliable Repository with Comprehensive Annotation of Small Proteins Identified from Ribosome Profiling

Small proteins specifically refer to proteins consisting of less than 100 amino acids translated from small open reading frames(s ORFs),which were usually missed in previous genome annotation.The significance of small proteins has been revealed in current years,along with the discovery of their diverse functions.However,systematic annotation of small proteins is still insufficient.Sm Prot was specially developed to provide valuable information on small proteins for scientific community.Here we present the update of Sm Prot,which emphasizes reliability of translated s ORFs,genetic variants in translated s ORFs,disease-specific s ORF translation events or sequences,and remarkably increased data volume.More components such as non-ATG translation initiation,function,and new sources are also included.Sm Prot incorporated638,958 unique small proteins curated from 3,165,229 primary records,which were computationally predicted from 419 ribosome profiling(Ribo-seq)datasets or collected from literature and other sources from 370 cell lines or tissues in 8 species(Homo sapiens,Mus musculus,Rattus norvegicus,Drosophila melanogaster,Danio rerio,Saccharomyces cerevisiae,Caenorhabditis elegans,and Escherichia coli).In addition,small protein families identified from human microbiomes were also collected.All datasets in Sm Prot are free to access,and available for browse,search,and bulk downloads at http://bigdata.ibp.ac.cn/SmProt/.