R-loop:The new genome regulatory element in plants

An R-loop is a three-stranded chromatin structure that consists of a displaced single strand of DNA and an RNA:DNA hybrid duplex,which was thought to be a rare by-product of transcription.However,recent genome-wide data have shown that R-loops are widespread and pervasive in a variety of genomes,and a growing body of experimental evidence indicates that R-loops have both beneficial and harmful effects on an organism.To maximize benefit and avoid harm,organisms have evolved several means by which they tightly regulate R-loop levels.Here,we summarize our current understanding of the biogenesis and effects of R-loops,the mechanisms that regulate them,and methods of R-loop profiling,reviewing recent research advances on R-loops in plants.Furthermore,we provide perspectives on future research directions for R-loop biology in plants,which might lead to a more comprehensive understanding of R-loop functions in plant genome regulation and contribute to future agricultural improvements.

T-cell immunity:a barrier to Omicron immune evasion

A recent study published in Cell by Naranbhai et al.disclosed that although the extent may vary,T-cell responses induced by infection by or vaccination against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)are cross-reactive toward the Omicron variant in most individuals,highlighting the role T-cell immunity plays in preventing immune evasion by the Omicron and even future variants.

Old and new damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in autoimmune diseases

All organisms living in complex environments have evolved effective mechanisms of dynamic responses to extracellular stimuli.The immune system activates when damaged or injured cells release damage‐associated molecular patterns(DAMPs).In addition to well‐characterized DAMPs such as high‐mobility group box 1 and adenosine triphosphate,studies on new classes of DAMPs have emerged.Here,we review recent reports of a new class of isoprenoid‐derived DAMPs,including farnesyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate,both of which are pivotal metabolic inter-mediates of the mevalonate pathway.We also explore the roles of old and new DAMPs in autoimmune diseases that result from dysregulated inflammation.The findings highlight that understanding the functional mechanisms of DAMPs is important to enrich the DAMP family and decipher their immunoregulatory mechanisms to provide new therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases.