Q. Cui

Click-free imaging of carbohydrate trafficking in live cells using an azido photothermal probe

This paper demonstrates click-free imaging of carbohydrate trafficking in live cells using azido photothermal probes, revealing trehalose recycling and protein interactions in mycobacteria and other organisms.

Delineating the shape of COPII coated membrane bud

The paper uses simulations to show that Sec23 and Sec24 act as spacers to determine the shape of COPII-coated membrane buds by dispersing Sar1 protomers.

The molecular basis for the increased stability of the FUS-LC fibril at the anionic membrane- and air-water interfaces

This study investigates how anionic membranes and air-water interfaces affect the stability of FUS-LC fibrils, showing increased stability at these interfaces.

The catalytic mechanism of the RNA methyltransferase METTL3

This study reveals the catalytic mechanism of METTL3-14 by identifying two adenosine binding conformations, the methyl transfer transition state, and the roles of key residues in catalysis.

Modulation of Allostery with Multiple Mechanisms by Hotspot Mutations in TetR

This study evaluates allostery hotspot mutations in TetR using molecular dynamics simulations to understand their effects on allosteric coupling and functional free energy landscapes.

A parametrized two-domain thermodynamic model explains diverse mutational effects on protein allostery

This study develops a two-domain thermodynamic model to explain mutational effects on protein allostery in TetR, revealing intra- and inter-domain interactions and epistasis.

Comparative Analysis of Molecular Pathogenic Mechanisms and Antiviral Development Targeting Old and New World Hantaviruses

This study compares molecular mechanisms and antiviral targets of Old and New World hantaviruses using human cell models and identifies potential therapeutic compounds.

Integrin beta4 promotes DNA damage drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer via TNFAIP2/IQGAP1/Rac1

This study identifies the Integrin β4/TNFAIP2/IQGAP1/RAC1 pathway as a mechanism for DNA damage drug resistance in triple-negative breast cancer.

Extended regulation interface coupled to the allosteric network and disease mutations in the PP2A-B56δ holoenzyme

The paper investigates the structural and functional dynamics of the PP2A-B56δ holoenzyme, showing how mutations linked to intellectual disability affect its allosteric network and phosphorylation rates.

The IRE1α-endonuclease regulates PD-1 expression through a novel XBP1/miRNA-34a axis within Natural Killer cells

This study identifies a novel IRE1α-endonuclease regulated XBP1/miR-34a axis that modulates PD-1 expression in NK-cells, with implications for cancer immunotherapy.

An alternative malonyl-CoA producing pathway in nature

The paper identifies an alternative pathway for malonyl-CoA production using oxaloacetate dehydrogenase in Streptomyces, enabling efficient bioproduction of malonyl-CoA-derived chemicals in E. coli.

Tunable image-mapping optical coherence tomography

This paper introduces TIM-OCT, a tunable imaging technique that provides high resolution in either lateral or axial dimensions or across all dimensions, and demonstrates its application on biological samples.

Combating pancreatic cancer with ovarian cancer cells

This study shows ovarian cancer cells inhibit pancreatic cancer growth in vitro and in vivo, with enhanced effects from elephant TP53 gene expression, suggesting a novel non-immunotherapy approach for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Molecular mechanism of GTP binding- anddimerization-induced enhancement ofSar1-mediated membrane remodeling

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to show that GTP binding enhances Sar1's membrane curvature generation by enabling full insertion of its amphipathic helix, while GDP-bound Sar1 only partially inserts, and dimerization further amplifies curvature.

Sensitive and Selective Polymer Condensation at Membrane Surface Driven by Positive Co-operativity

The paper shows that positive co-operativity between membrane phase separation and surface polymer reorganization drives sensitive and selective condensate formation.

Thermodynamic analysis of the GASright transmembrane motif supports energetic model of dimerization

The paper quantitatively validates a thermodynamic model of GASright dimerization by correlating experimental dimerization propensities with calculated free energies of association.

Deep mutational scanning and machine learning reveal structural and molecular rules governing allosteric hotspots in homologous proteins

The paper identifies allosteric hotspots in bacterial transcription factors using deep mutational scanning and machine learning, finding that structural and dynamic properties are key predictors.

Omicron escapes the majority of existing SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies

This study identifies how Omicron evades neutralizing antibodies by analyzing mutations and their effects on different epitope groups, showing over 85% of tested antibodies are escaped.

Communication determines population-level fitness under cation stress by modulating the ratio of motile to sessile B. subtilis cells

The paper shows that motile B. subtilis cells are more susceptible to cation stress than sessile cells, and that population fitness under stress is influenced by communication via ComX-pheromone signaling.

The coiled-coil domain of E. coli FtsLB is a structurally detuned element critical for modulating its activation in bacterial cell division

This study investigates the role of the coiled-coil domain in E. coli FtsLB, showing that polar amino acids reduce structural stability, and that mutations to hydrophobic residues increase stability but cause cell division defects.

Structural insights into the activation of human calcium-sensing receptor

The paper presents cryo-EM structures of the human calcium-sensing receptor in inactive and active states, revealing structural changes during activation.

Liver Electrical Impedance Tomography for Early Identification of Fatty Infiltrate in Obesity

This study uses liver electrical impedance tomography to detect fatty infiltration in obese individuals, finding a negative correlation between EIT conductivity and MRI-measured fat fraction.

Three-Dimensional Impedance Tomographic Mapping of Metabolically Active Endolumen

This work demonstrates in vivo mapping of oxidized LDL-laden endolumen using an intravascular dual-sensor in a swine model of atherosclerosis.

Substrate deformation regulates DRM2-mediated DNA methylation in plants

This study identifies DNA deformation as a mechanism regulating DRM2-mediated methylation specificity in plants, showing how substrate deformation influences substrate preference.

Functional Plasticity and Evolutionary Adaptation of Allosteric Regulation

This study uses deep mutational scanning to show that allosteric signaling has high functional plasticity and redundancy, with structural residues more conserved than functional ones.

Metabolic remodeling by TIGAR overexpression is a therapeutic target in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma

This study identifies TIGAR as a driver of metabolic remodeling in ESCC, showing that targeting the glutamine pathway improves therapeutic outcomes in TIGAR-overexpressed tumors.

Photo-Disassembly of Membrane Microdomains Revives Conventional Antibiotics against MRSA

This study uses photo-disassembly of membrane microdomains to restore antibiotic susceptibility in MRSA, enabling conventional antibiotics to inhibit resistance development.

Germline genomic patterns are associated with cancer risk, oncogenic pathways and clinical outcomes

This study identifies seven germline genomic patterns associated with cancer risk, oncogenic pathways, and clinical outcomes across 22 cancer types.

PGC-1α coordinates with Bcl-2 to control cell cycle in U251 cells through reducing ROS

The paper shows PGC-1α and Bcl-2 work together to reduce ROS and delay cell cycle progression in U251 cells after serum depletion.