S. Watanabe

Disruption of Epithelium Integrity by Inflammation-Associated Fibroblasts through Prostaglandin Signaling

This study shows inflammation-associated fibroblasts disrupt colon epithelial barrier integrity and genome stability via PGE2-EP4 signaling, and EP4 inhibitors can reverse these effects.

Temperament in early childhood is associated with gut microbiota composition and diversity

This study links temperament traits in preschool children to gut microbiota composition and diversity using 16S rRNA sequencing.

Discovery of Novel Replication Proteins for Large Plasmids in Cyanobacteria and Their Potential Applications in Genetic Engineering

This study identifies two novel replication proteins, CyRepX1 and CyRepX2, from a cyanobacterial plasmid and demonstrates their compatibility with existing replication systems, suggesting potential applications in genetic engineering.

Dynamin 1xA interacts with Endophilin A1 via its spliced long C-terminus for ultrafast endocytosis

This study identifies a phospho-regulated interaction between Dyn1xA and Endophilin A1 via a unique C-terminal extension, essential for ultrafast endocytosis.

Structure of full-length ERGIC-53 in complex with MCFD2 for cargo transport

This study determines the cryo-EM structure of full-length ERGIC-53 complexed with MCFD2, revealing its tetrameric architecture and mechanism of cargo transport.

Isoxanthohumol improves obesity and glucose metabolism via inhibiting intestinal lipid absorption with a bloom of Akkermansia muciniphila in mice

Visualization of spatial distribution of hemoglobin with various oxygen saturations in small animals using a photoacoustic imaging scanner with a hemispherical detector array

This study uses photoacoustic imaging to visualize oxygen saturation distribution in mice, showing changes in hemoglobin oxygen saturation in normal and tumor vessels over time.

Genistein enhances NAD+ biosynthesis by binding to Prohibitin 1 and upregulating nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase in adipocytes

This study shows genistein increases NAD+ biosynthesis in adipocytes by upregulating NAMPT through PHB1 binding and stabilization of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β.

Elevation and topography shape the diversity of mesoscale landscape-level woody plant species found in temperate evergreen forests

The paper examines how elevation and topography influence woody plant species diversity at the mesoscale landscape level in temperate evergreen forests, finding they drive species richness and composition differently.

Weight loss improves skeletal muscle mitochondrial energy efficiency

This study shows weight loss increases skeletal muscle mitochondrial energy efficiency by altering cardiolipin composition, which reduces energy expenditure and prevents weight regain.

Regulation of pSYSA defense plasmid copy number in Synechocystis through RNase E and a highly transcribed asRNA

The paper identifies a regulatory mechanism for pSYSA plasmid copy number in Synechocystis involving RNase E and an antisense RNA, revealing a novel replication system with implications for synthetic biology.

The conserved upstream ORF of the Arabidopsis ANAC082 gene mediates translational upregulation in response to nucleolar stress

This study shows that the upstream ORF of the Arabidopsis ANAC082 gene enhances translation under nucleolar stress but not ER stress, indicating evolutionary loss of this regulatory mechanism in ANAC103.

Use of the particle agglutination/particle agglutination-inhibition test for antigenic analysis of SARS-CoV-2

This study develops a PA/PAI test to rapidly assess SARS-CoV-2 antigenicity using hACE2-bound latex beads, showing it can detect antigenic differences between variants.

The Intestinal Microbiome, Dietary Habits, and Physical and Psychological Resilience in Postpartum Women

This study examines the relationship between intestinal microbiota, physical condition, and psychological resilience in postpartum Japanese women, finding links between specific microbial genera and mental health risks.

Impact of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in previously infected hamsters

This study investigates reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants in previously infected hamsters, finding that immunity prevents pneumonia but allows viral replication in the upper airways with increased mutation diversity.

Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 clinical isolates

This study evaluates the replicative ability and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.75 isolates in Syrian hamsters, finding higher lung replication and focal pneumonia compared to BA.2 and BA.5.

Membrane compression by synaptic vesicle exocytosis triggers ultrafast endocytosis

The paper shows that actin filaments and membrane compression from synaptic vesicle exocytosis drive ultrafast endocytosis at synapses.

Cryo-sensitive aggregation triggers NLRP3 inflammasome assemblyin cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome

This study identifies cryo-sensitive NLRP3 aggregates as a scaffold for inflammasome activation in CAPS, showing Ca2+ influx is essential for this process.

Secreted dengue virus NS1 from infection is predominantly dimeric and in complex with high-density lipoprotein

The paper determines the structure of secreted dengue virus NS1 from infected cells, showing it forms dimers complexed with HDL.

Different efficacies of neutralizing antibodies and antiviral drugs on SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, BA.1 and BA.2

The paper compares the efficacy of neutralizing antibodies and antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants BA.1 and BA.2, finding differential responses to specific treatments.

Feedback regulation of RNase E during UV-stress response in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803

The paper investigates RNase E feedback regulation in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under UV stress, finding increased enzymatic activity and stabilized rne mRNA via 5' UTR autoregulation.

Skeletal muscle releases extracellular vesicles with distinct protein and miRNA signatures that accumulate and function within the muscle microenvironment

This study identifies markers for skeletal muscle-derived extracellular vesicles (SkM-EVs) and shows they mainly function within the muscle microenvironment rather than contributing significantly to plasma EVs.

In vivo label-free observation of tumor-related blood vessels in small animals using a newly designed photoacoustic 3D imaging system

This study demonstrates a photoacoustic 3D imaging system for non-invasive visualization of tumor-related blood vessels in small animals.

Metastatic profiling of HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines in xenograft models

This study evaluates the metastatic abilities of HER2-positive breast cancer cell lines in xenograft models and identifies gene signatures associated with metastatic preferences.

Guanosine-specific single-stranded ribonuclease effectors of a phytopathogenic fungus potentiate host immune responses

This study identifies two ribonuclease effectors from a fungal pathogen that induce plant immune responses by cleaving single-stranded RNA at guanosine.

Defunctionalizing Intracellular Organelles with Genetically-Encoded Molecular Tools Based on Engineered Phospholipase A/Acyltransferases (PLAATs)

The paper introduces PLAATs, engineered phospholipase A/acyltransferases, to rapidly defunctionalize organelles by remodeling membrane phospholipids, demonstrating effectiveness in mitochondria and peroxisomes.

Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 controls the mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation and survival of the retinal photoreceptor cells

This study shows that Lpcat1 deletion causes photoreceptor-specific apoptosis and increased mitochondrial ROS in mice, highlighting its role in lipid metabolism and retinal health.

Aberrant accumulation of NIK promotes tumorigenicity by dysregulating post-translational modifications in breast cancer

This study identifies NIK upregulation in breast cancer due to translational dysregulation, which promotes tumorigenicity by activating the non-canonical NF-κB pathway.

HOXB7 induces STAT3-mediated transformation and lung metastasis in immortalized mammary gland NMuMG cells

This study shows HOXB7 promotes transformation and lung metastasis in NMuMG cells via STAT3 activation.

Frequent coexistence of closely related tree species on a small scale in temperate evergreen forests in Japan

The paper investigates coexistence of closely related tree species in temperate evergreen forests, finding that congenic species often coexist at fine spatial scales, contradicting the hypothesis that reproductive interference would prevent this.