M. Liu

Adjacent Z-DNA contributes to the formation of homologous DNA triplex

The paper demonstrates that a stable homologous parallel triplex (HP-triplex) can be formed using a Z-DNA/B-DNA junction, suggesting it may act as an intermediate in DNA recombination and other interactions.

The C terminus of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) VP3 encodes a predicted intrinsically disordered region (IDR), which promotes the formation of cytoplasmic puncta and modulates their physical properties.

RetINaBox: A hands-on learning tool for experimental neuroscience

RetINaBox provides a low-cost open-source tool for hands-on learning about visual system feature detectors through interactive experiments.

Efficacy and mechanism of action of cipargamin as an antibabesial drug candidate

This study evaluates cipargamin's efficacy against Babesia species and identifies resistance mechanisms, showing its effectiveness as an anti-babesial drug but limitations due to resistance, with combination therapy with tafenoquine offering potential.

A vacuolar invertase gene SlVI modulates sugar metabolism and postharvest fruit quality and resistance in tomato

This study investigates the role of the tomato vacuolar invertase gene SlVI in sugar metabolism, fruit quality, and postharvest resistance, finding that its knockout increases sucrose content, firmness, and resistance to Botrytis cinerea.

Perfringolysin O pore-forming complexes are predominantly integral multiples of six subunits

The paper investigates the structural composition of Perfringolysin O (PFO) complexes, finding that they are predominantly hexameric and built from hexameric sub-complexes.

Oligopeptide (FK)4 facilitates the determination of the absolute stereochemistry of chiral organic compounds via NMR Spectroscopy

This study demonstrates how the oligopeptide (FK)4 enables the determination of absolute stereochemistry of chiral compounds using NMR spectroscopy by combining alignment medium and chiral differentiating properties.

Structural basis for membrane remodelling by the AP5:SPG11-SPG15 complex

This study determines the structure of the AP5:SPG11-SPG15 complex and shows it binds PI3P, senses membrane curvature, and drives membrane remodeling in vitro.

c-di-GMP modulates ribosome assembly by inhibiting rRNA methylation

This study shows c-di-GMP inhibits rRNA methylation by binding to RlmI, modulates ribosome assembly, and promotes antibiotic tolerance in E. coli.

Estropausal gut microbiota transplant improves measures of ovarian function in adult mice

This study shows that transferring gut microbiota from young and estropausal mice improves ovarian function and fertility in adult mice.

Distinct effects of CDK8 module subunits on cellular growth and proliferation in Drosophila

This study investigates the distinct roles of CDK8 module subunits in Drosophila, showing that Med12-Med13 disruption severely impacts ribosome biogenesis and growth, while CDK8-CycC affects cell-cycle progression.

Phase Contrast Tomography (PCT)

This paper introduces phase contrast tomography (PCT) for 3D phase imaging, demonstrating its high resolution and stability for imaging microspheres and sub-organelles.

Divergent effects of C4a, C4adesArg, and thrombin on platelet aggregation and phosphorylation of ERK and Akt in human endothelial cells.

This study compares the effects of C4a, C4adesArg, and thrombin on ERK and Akt phosphorylation and platelet aggregation in human endothelial cells, revealing differences in receptor activation and signaling outcomes.

Methylmalonic acid induces metabolic abnormalities and exhaustion in CD8+ T cells to suppress anti-tumor immunity

This study shows that methylmalonic acid impairs CD8+ T cell function and promotes tumor growth by inducing metabolic dysfunction and exhaustion.

PPTC7 antagonizes mitophagy by promoting BNIP3 and NIX degradation via SCFFBXL4

This study identifies PPTC7 as a cofactor for SCFFBXL4-mediated degradation of BNIP3 and NIX, suppressing mitophagy and revealing a feedback mechanism to regulate mitochondrial homeostasis.

Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 Variants in H11-K18-hACE2 Hamsters

This study characterizes SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 variants in H11-K18 hACE2 golden hamsters, showing disease progression and severity similar to human infections, supporting the model's utility for research.

Visualizing the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor activation regulated by aromatic ring dynamics

This study uses atomic-level simulations to show how ligand binding modulates conformational dynamics of the M2 muscarinic receptor, revealing key aromatic residue interactions involved in activation.

DOPAMINE D4 RECEPTOR DOWN-REGULATES RENAL SODIUM CHLORIDE COTRANSPORTER VIA UBIQUITINATION-ASSOCIATED LYSOSOME DEGRADATION

This study shows that dopamine D4 receptor reduces NCC protein levels by promoting its ubiquitination and lysosomal degradation in mice.

Ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate alleviates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice through regulation of mitochondrial fission and reduction of oxidative stress

This study shows that 3-hydroxybutyrate reduces liver fibrosis in mice by improving mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress.

Mechanism and regulation of cargo entry into the Commander recycling pathway

The paper identifies the mechanism by which SNX17 cargo is selected for entry into the Commander recycling pathway through direct binding to the Retriever sub-complex.

Targeting transcription factors through an IMiD independent zinc finger domain

This study identifies a new IMiD-independent drug targeting SALL4's ZFC4 domain, leading to significant tumor growth inhibition in vivo.

Branched-chain keto acids promote an immune-suppressive and neurodegenerative microenvironment in leptomeningeal disease

This study identifies branched-chain keto acid accumulation in leptomeningeal disease CSF, showing immune suppression and neurodegeneration, and shows that reducing BCKA improves outcomes in mouse models.

Modulation of Salmonella virulence by a novel SPI-2 injectisome effector that interacts with the dystrophin-associated protein complex.

This paper identifies a novel SPI-2 effector, SseM, in Salmonella that interacts with the dystrophin-associated protein complex and modulates bacterial growth in mice.

Expansion of human hematopoietic stem cells by inhibiting translation

This paper identifies translation inhibitors that enable ex vivo expansion of human hematopoietic stem cells from umbilical cord blood while maintaining their function and enabling gene editing.

Floral scent emission of Epiphyllum oxypetalum: identification of a novel cytosol-localized geraniol biosynthesis pathway

This study identifies a novel cytosol-localized geraniol biosynthesis pathway in Epiphyllum oxypetalum using volatilomic, transcriptomic, and biochemical approaches.

Unveiling unique microbial nitrogen cycling and novel nitrification drivers in coastal Antarctica

This study identifies unique microbial nitrogen cycling mechanisms in coastal Antarctica, highlighting the role of comammox Nitrospira in nitrification.

Transcriptional coupling of telomeric retrotransposons with the cell cycle

This study identifies Mediator complex subunits, Scalloped, and E2F1-Dp as regulators of telomeric retrotransposon transcription and telomere length in Drosophila, linking TR expression to the cell cycle.

Requirement of microtubules for secretion of a micronemal protein CpTSP4 in the invasive stage of the apicomplexan Cryptosporidium parvum

This study identifies CpTSP4, a new micronemal protein in Cryptosporidium parvum, showing its secretion during invasion and dependence on microtubular trafficking and heparin-binding for host interaction.

KRAS inhibition activates an actionable CD24 do-not-eat-me signal in pancreatic cancer

This study identifies CD24 as an actionable signal activated by KRASG12C inhibition in pancreatic cancer, enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and sensitizing tumors to therapy.

IgG-inspired, multivalent protein-DNA nanostructures for high-affinity, tunable, and reversible binding to biomolecular targets

This paper designs and tests a DNA-based synthetic antibody (nano-synbody) that binds SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins with high affinity and reversibility through multivalency.