Y. Higuchi

Fibroblast Nrf2 inhibits profibrotic transcription with Ddx54 and mitigates pathological fibrosis in the mouse heart and kidney

This study identifies the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway as a regulator of TGF-β-mediated CTGF expression in fibroblasts, showing that Nrf2 with Ddx54 suppresses profibrotic genes and reduces fibrosis in mouse heart and kidney.

Polarity-dependent expression and localization of secretory glucoamylase mRNA in filamentous fungal cells

This study visualizes and analyzes the spatial and temporal dynamics of glaA mRNA in Aspergillus oryzae, revealing its localization near hyphal tips and septa and its dependence on microtubule motors.

Deep mutational scanning of whole SARS-CoV-2 spike in an inverted infection system

The paper develops a DMS platform to analyze SARS-CoV-2 spike mutations, finding that spike expression, not ACE2 affinity, primarily affects infectivity and evolution.

Stereoinversion via alcohol dehydrogenases enables complete catabolism of β-1-type lignin-derived aromatic isomers

This paper identifies the catabolic pathway for threo-DGPD in SYK-6, showing it is converted to erythro-DGPD via oxidation and reduction by multiple dehydrogenases, enabling complete catabolism of all four β-1-type lignin-derived isomers.

An engineered ACE2 decoy broadly neutralizes Omicron subvariants and shows therapeutic effect in SARS-CoV-2-infected cynomolgus macaques

This paper shows an engineered ACE2 decoy neutralizes Omicron subvariants and is effective in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in macaques.

Deep mutational scanning to predict antibody escape in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants

This study uses deep mutational scanning to predict antibody escape in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, identifying key mutations that confer resistance to bebtelovimab.

Bacterial catabolic system of acetovanillone and acetosyringone useful for upgrading aromatic compounds obtained through chemical lignin depolymerization

This paper identifies and characterizes the bacterial catabolic system for acetovanillone and acetosyringone, demonstrating their potential for upgrading aromatic compounds from lignin depolymerization.

Single-nucleotide substitution determines pollen production in Japanese cedar

This study identifies a single-nucleotide substitution in the TKPR1 gene that determines pollen production in Japanese cedar and suggests its potential application in creating pollen-free plants.

Liver lipophagy ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis through lysosomal lipid exocytosis

This study identifies lipophagy as a therapeutic approach to prevent NASH progression by promoting lysosomal lipid exocytosis and reducing intracellular fatty acid accumulation.

A chromosome-level genome sequence of a model chrysanthemum: evolution and 1 reference for hexaploid cultivated chrysanthemum

The paper presents a chromosome-level genome sequence of a diploid chrysanthemum, identifies recent retrotransposon activity, and demonstrates its utility for positional cloning and breeding.

Generation of functional ciliates cholangiocytes from human pluripotent stem cells

This study generates functional cholangiocytes from human pluripotent stem cells that exhibit mature characteristics and can be used for drug testing and disease modeling.

High affinity modified ACE2 receptors protect from SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters

The paper engineers high-affinity ACE2 receptors to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in hamsters, showing protection against infection without viral escape mutations.

Celsr1 and CAMSAP3 differently regulate intercellular and intracellular cilia orientation in oviduct multiciliated cells

This study shows Celsr1 and CAMSAP3 regulate BB orientation in MCCs differently, with CAMSAP3 critical for intracellular coordination and Celsr1 dispensable for individual cell orientation.