W. Lu

Discovery of Potent Degraders of the Dengue Virus Envelope Protein

This study develops small molecule degraders of the dengue virus envelope protein, demonstrating their ability to induce proteosome-mediated degradation and providing a foundation for antiviral drug development.

Sulfur Amino Acid Restriction Enhances Exercise Capacity in Mice by Boosting Fat Oxidation

SAAR improves exercise capacity in mice by enhancing fat oxidation and substrate availability through VEGF signaling and CD36-dependent fatty acid transport.

Digital pathology assessment of kidney glomerular filtration barrier ultrastructure in an animal model of podocytopathy

This paper develops a deep learning method to automate measurement of glomerular basement membrane and podocyte foot process widths in TEM images of podocytopathy mouse models, showing comparable accuracy to manual methods.

Short heat shock factor A2 confers heat sensitivity in Arabidopsis: Insights into heat resistance and growth balance

This study identifies S-HsfA2 in Arabidopsis as a factor that prevents hyperactivation of the heat stress response, balancing heat resistance and growth.

AlphaFold3, a secret sauce for predicting mutational effects on protein-protein interactions

This paper benchmarks AlphaFold3 against SKEMPI to assess its ability to predict mutational effects on protein-protein interactions and compares it with force field and deep learning methods.

Covalent DNA-Encoded Library Workflow Drives Discovery of SARS-CoV-2 Non-structural Proteins Inhibitors

This study uses covalent DNA-encoded libraries to discover inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 proteases 3CLpro and PLpro, identifying novel compounds with potent activity and unique binding modes.

Role of Hepatocyte RIPK1 in Maintaining Liver Homeostasis during Metabolic Challenges

This study identifies RIPK1 in hepatocytes as critical for maintaining liver homeostasis during metabolic challenges, showing its role in preventing inflammation and apoptosis in mice.

Coordinated Immune Cell Networks in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment Define the Graft versus Leukemia Response with Adoptive Cellular Therapy

The paper analyzes single-cell data from bone marrow samples to identify immune cell interactions that predict response to adoptive cellular therapy in myeloid leukemia.

Nephrectomy and high-salt diet inducing pulmonary hypertension and kidney damage by increasing Ang II concentration in rats

This study develops a CKD-PH rat model through 5/6 nephrectomy and high-salt diet, showing increased Ang II and RAAS imbalance, ACE2 downregulation, and metabolic changes linked to pulmonary hypertension.

Supergene evolution via gain of auto-regulation

The paper shows that the Papilio alphenor supergene evolved through the recruitment of six new cis-regulatory elements that enable allele-specific dsx expression.

Reprogramming neuroblastoma by diet-enhanced polyamine depletion

This paper shows that combining dietary restriction of arginine and proline with polyamine depletion drugs enhances tumor differentiation and survival in a neuroblastoma mouse model by disrupting oncogenic translation.

Gut microbial genomes with paired isolates from China signify probiotic and cardiometabolic effects

The paper presents a new microbial reference set with paired isolates from China, showing probiotic and cardiometabolic effects on hosts.

The Bicaudal-D/Egalitarian complex defines the specificity of cargo transport by Dynein.

This study identifies BicD cargo interactome and shows that Egl is required for BicD to link cargos to Dynein, with a SMA mutation affecting cargo transport and mobility.

Human Pannexin 1 Channel is NOT Phosphorylated by Src Tyrosine Kinase at Tyr199 and Tyr309

This study shows that commercially available antibodies for detecting PANX1 tyrosine phosphorylation are nonspecific and that Src does not phosphorylate these sites in heterologous systems.

Plant immunity activated and suppressed by a conserved effector protein family in mirid bug Riptortus pedestris

RPH1, a conserved HAMP in herbivorous insects, activates plant PTI responses, but R. pedestris evolved four paralogs to suppress this immunity.

Structural insights into dual-antagonize mechanism of AB928 on adenosine A2 receptors

This study determines the crystal structures of A2AR with AB928 and 2-118, revealing distinct binding modes on A2AR and A2BR that explain AB928's dual-antagonistic properties.

SIV clearance from neonatal macaques following transient CCR5 depletion

This study shows that targeted depletion of CCR5-expressing cells in neonatal macaques using bispecific antibodies can lead to long-term SIV remission and apparent cure.

SpotLight proteomics identifies variable sequences of blood antibodies specific against deamidated human serum albumin

The paper uses SpotLight proteomics to identify antibody sequences specific to deamidated human serum albumin, revealing insights into protein clearance and neurodegeneration prevention.

Interferon epsilon restricts Zika virus infection in the female reproductive tract

This study shows that IFNε protects against vaginal ZIKV infection in mice by maintaining epithelial integrity and is effective even without IFNAR1 signaling.

Self-organized intracellular twisters

The paper studies fluid flows in Drosophila oocytes, showing the emergence of cell-spanning vortices through hydrodynamic interactions of microtubules and molecular motors.

Coupling enzymatic activity and gating in an ancient TRPM chanzyme and its molecular evolution

This paper investigates a TRPM2 chanzyme from choanoflagellates, revealing how its enzymatic and channel functions are coupled through structural and kinetic mechanisms.

Drosophila oocyte specification is maintained by the dynamic duo of microtubule polymerase Mini spindles/XMAP215 and dynein

This study identifies Msps and dynein as a positive feedback loop that enhances dynein-dependent transport and determines oocyte fate in Drosophila.

A non-invasive, fast on/off 'Odourgenetic' Method to Manipulate Physiology

This paper introduces an Odourgenetic method using Drosophila odorant receptors to non-invasively and rapidly manipulate cellular functions and behavior through inhalation of 2-pentanone.

An Associative Memory Hamiltonian Model for DNA and Nucleosomes

This paper introduces a computational model called WEChroM to simulate DNA and nucleosome mechanics, showing it can reproduce DNA structure, supercoiling behavior, and nucleosome unwrapping.

Topical GZ21T inhibits the growth of actinic keratoses in a UVB induced model of skin carcinogenesis

This study evaluates a topical formulation of GZ17-6.02 (GZ21T) in a murine model of actinic keratoses, showing reduced lesion count and surface area, and prevention of progression to squamous cell carcinoma.

Molecular mechanism underlying desensitization of the proton-activated chloride channel PAC

This study identifies key residues and structural interactions involved in pH-dependent desensitization of the proton-activated chloride (PAC) channel using electrophysiology, mutagenesis, and molecular dynamics simulations.

Mapping the GALNT1 substrate landscape with versatile proteomics tools

This study identifies hundreds of novel GALNT1 substrates using proteomics tools, revealing preferences for Thr residues and Pro at positions +3 and +4, and implicating GALNT1 in diverse biological pathways.

Injectable hydrogel embedded with mesenchymal stem cells repairs severe spinal cord injury

This study develops an injectable hydrogel with homogenous mesenchymal stem cells to treat severe spinal cord injury in rats, showing improved functional recovery compared to intrathecal delivery.

APOE deficiency impacts neural differentiation and cholesterol biosynthesis in human iPSC-derived cerebral organoids

This study shows that APOE deficiency in human iPSC-derived cerebral organoids disrupts lipid homeostasis and affects cholesterol biosynthesis and neurogenesis.

Seasonal plasticity in morphology and metabolism differs between migratory North American and resident Costa Rican monarch butterflies

This study compares seasonal plasticity in morphology and metabolism between migratory North American and resident Costa Rican monarch butterflies, finding differences in morphological and metabolic responses to seasonal changes.