X. Wan

The microtubule regulator EFA-6 forms spatially restricted cortical foci dependent on its intrinsically disordered region and interactions with tubulins

Root-specific secondary metabolism at the single-cell level: a case study of theanine metabolism and regulation in the roots of tea plants (Camellia sinensis)

This study uses scRNA-seq to analyze theanine metabolism in tea plant roots, revealing multicellular compartmentation of biosynthesis without high co-expression of transcription factors.

The Discovery and Characterization of 1,4-Dihydroxy-2-naphthoic Acid Prenyltransferase Involved in the Biosynthesis of Anthraquinones in Rubia cordifolia

This study identifies and characterizes RcDT1, a prenyltransferase involved in anthraquinone biosynthesis in Rubia cordifolia, and shows its evolutionary origin from the ubiquinone pathway.

Structure and evolution of Alanine/Serine Decarboxylases and the engineering of theanine production

This study solves the structures of AlaDC and SerDC, identifies key residues for activity and specificity, and shows engineered variants improve theanine production.

Differential substrate affinity and catabolite repression enable preferential use of urea by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria

The paper shows that ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms use different regulatory strategies for ammonia and urea, enabling coexistence by minimizing competition.

EXTRACELLULAR PERINEXAL SEPARATION IS A PRINCIPAL DETERMINANT OF CARDIAC CONDUCTION

This study investigates the relationship between cardiac conduction velocity and extracellular space structure, finding a biphasic relationship with perinexal separation, supporting ephaptic coupling over gap junction-based conduction.

Structure-based discovery of inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 N7-methyltransferase

The paper identifies multiple inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp14 N7-methyltransferase using docking strategies, with some showing sub-10 M potency and selectivity.

A cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) like enzyme leads to a branch in the shikonin biosynthetic pathway in Arnebia euchroma

This study identifies AeHGO, a CAD-like enzyme, as the branch point enzyme in the shikonin biosynthetic pathway of A. euchroma, showing it catalyzes reversible oxidation/reduction of key intermediates.

(Z, Z, Z)-3,6,9-nonadecadiene, a potential inhibitor of sex pheromone of Ectropis grisescens Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae): electroantennogram test, wind tunnel, and in silico study

Large library docking for novel SARS-CoV-2 main protease non-covalent and covalent inhibitors

The paper identifies novel non-covalent and covalent inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease through virtual docking and experimental validation.

Single cell transcriptome analysis of decidua macrophages in normal and recurrent spontaneous abortion patients

The paper profiles single-cell transcriptomes of decidual macrophages in normal and recurrent spontaneous abortion patients, identifying distinct polarization states and potential therapeutic targets.

IRGM/Irgm1 Aggravates Progression of Atherosclerosis by Inducing Macrophage Apoptosis through the MAPK Signaling Pathway

This study shows IRGM/Irgm1 worsens atherosclerosis by causing macrophage apoptosis via the MAPK pathway, increasing plaque vulnerability and risk of rupture.

Regulation of lipid accumulation-induced ROS in myeloid-derived suppressor cells via targeting fatty-acid transport protein 2 enhanced anti-PD-L1 tumor immunotherapy

This study shows that inhibiting FATP2 in MDSCs reduces ROS and enhances anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy by improving T-cell function and reducing PD-L1 expression.

SARS-CoV-2 Quasispecies provides insight into its genetic dynamics during infection

The paper analyzes SARS-CoV-2 quasispecies structure using SMRT sequencing, revealing a One-King model with dominant and minor haplotypes and their evolutionary dynamics.

SARS-CoV-2 suppresses mRNA expression of selenoproteins associated with ferroptosis, ER stress and DNA synthesis

This study shows SARS-CoV-2 suppresses selenoprotein mRNA expression linked to ferroptosis, ER stress, and DNA synthesis, while increasing IL-6 expression in Vero cells.

Lipid Droplet Is an Ancient and Inheritable Organelle in Bacteria

The paper identifies lipid droplets in multiple bacterial phyla, shows their conservation and inheritance, and estimates their origin to 3.19 billion years ago.

Structural changes in the gut microbiome of short-term and long-term medical workers compared to normal controls

This study compares the gut microbiome of short-term and long-term medical workers to normal controls, finding significant structural changes linked to hospital exposure.

An abscisic acid (ABA) homeostasis regulated by its production, catabolism and transport in peanut leaves in response to drought stress

This study identifies and analyzes genes involved in ABA production, catabolism, and transport in peanut leaves under drought stress, showing their coordinated regulation of ABA homeostasis.

Compartmentalized Biosynthesis of Mycophenolic Acid

This paper elucidates the compartmentalized biosynthetic pathway of mycophenolic acid, revealing subcellular localization of enzymes and cooperation with β-oxidation machinery.