D. Ding

Diaminopurine in Nonenzymatic RNA Template Copying

This study investigates whether replacing adenine with diaminopurine in nonenzymatic RNA template copying improves efficiency and reduces bias.

Transient states during the annealing of mismatched and bulged oligonucleotides

This study examines how mismatches and bulges in DNA/RNA duplexes affect hybridization kinetics and shows that transient low-specificity states can support prebiotic copying reactions.

A map of the rubisco biochemical landscape

The paper maps the sequence-to-function relationship of rubisco by assaying single amino acid mutants in E. coli, identifying conserved positions and mutations that improve CO2 affinity.

Enhanced nonenzymatic RNA copying with in-situ activation of short oligonucleotides

This study shows that eutectic phase phospho-Passerini chemistry activates short oligonucleotides, enabling efficient nonenzymatic template-directed RNA copying during freeze-thaw cycles.

Experimental Tests of the Virtual Circular Genome Model for Non-enzymatic RNA Replication

The paper tests a non-enzymatic RNA replication model using a virtual circular genome, finding that environmental fluctuations and pre-activation enhance replication.

Protein design using structure-based residue preferences

This paper introduces a method to design functional proteins using residue preferences derived from structural data, showing high accuracy in predicting combinatorial mutation effects.

Testis-specific H2BFWT disrupts nucleosome integrity through reductions of DNA-histone interactions

This study identifies H2BFWT's role in spermatogenesis by showing its impact on nucleosome stability and gene expression through structural and functional analyses.

Structural insights into the mechanism of nucleotide regulation of pancreatic KATP channel

This study presents cryo-EM structures of pancreatic KATP channels in closed and pre-open states, revealing nucleotide binding mechanisms and activation by Mg-ADP and diazoxide-type openers.

Non-canonical Function of a Hif-1α Splice Variant Contributes to the Sustained Flight of Locusts

This study identifies a non-canonical Hif-1 splice variant in locusts that supports sustained flight by promoting glucose oxidation and redox homeostasis under aerobic conditions.

Coevolution of interacting proteins through non-contacting and non-specific mutations

The paper identifies enabling mutations in a bacterial toxin that tolerate antitoxin mutations, showing non-specific tolerance despite covariation primarily between contacting residues.

Kinetic Explanations for the Sequence Biases Observed in the Nonenzymatic Copying of RNA Templates

The paper investigates nonenzymatic RNA copying using 2AI-bridged dinucleotides, finding that sequence-dependent differences in binding and reaction rates limit template copying.

Destruction of DNA-binding proteins by programmable O'PROTAC: Oligonucleotide-based PROTAC

This paper develops OPROTACs, programmable molecules that degrade DNA-binding proteins like ERG and LEF1, showing potential for targeting undruggable transcription factors in cancer.

Acute noise causes down-regulation of ECM protein expression in guinea pig cochlea

This study uses proteomics to identify down-regulated ECM proteins in guinea pig cochleae after noise exposure, linking them to hearing loss mechanisms.

NTR 2.0: a rationally-engineered prodrug converting enzyme with substantially enhanced efficacy for targeted cell ablation

This paper describes the development of NTR 2.0, a modified nitroreductase with significantly improved efficacy for targeted cell ablation using metronidazole.

Ligand binding and conformational changes of SUR1 subunit in pancreatic ATP-sensitive potassium channels

The paper presents three cryo-EM structures of pancreatic KATP channels, revealing drug binding sites, subunit interactions, and conformational changes related to metabolic regulation.