Y. Zhai

Functional analysis of Cdc20 reveals a critical role of CRY box in mitotic checkpoint signaling

This study functionally analyzes Cdc20's role in mitotic checkpoint signaling by identifying the CRY box's critical role in SAC through MCC formation and APC/C interaction.

Therapeutic targeting of KRAS mutation-driven tumorigenesis by extracellular vesicles loaded with small interfering RNA

This study demonstrates that extracellular vesicles loaded with KRAS-targeting siRNA can inhibit tumor growth in mouse models, both intratumorally and intravenously.

DNA origami vaccine (DoriVac) nanoparticles improve both humoral and cellular immune responses to infectious diseases

This study demonstrates that DNA origami vaccine nanoparticles enhance both humoral and cellular immune responses against infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola.

Harnessing extracellular vesicles for efficient siRNA delivery in vitro and in vivo

This study develops an efficient siRNA delivery system using extracellular vesicles, demonstrating effective gene silencing in vitro and tumor growth inhibition in vivo.

Pathogen protein modularity enables elaborate mimicry of a host phosphatase

The paper identifies a modular (L)WY-LWY motif in Phytophthora effectors that recruits host PP2A phosphatase, enabling phosphoprotein regulation through structural mimicry.

Spike substitution T813S increases Sarbecovirus fusogenicity by enhancing the usage of TMPRSS2.

The paper identifies the T813S mutation in the S2 subunit of SARS-CoV Spike protein enhances fusogenicity by improving TMPRSS2 cleavage, increasing viral replication.

The deacetylase dependent and independent role of HDAC3 in cardiomyopathy

This study investigates the deacetylase-dependent and independent roles of HDAC3 in cardiomyopathy using Drosophila, finding it maintains cardiac contractility and prevents Pericardin deposition independently of its deacetylase activity, but regulates triglyceride homeostasis through this activity.

Genetic Analysis of Activin/Inhibin β Subunits in Zebrafish Development and Reproduction

This study investigates the role of activin/inhibin β subunits in zebrafish development and reproduction, showing their critical role in folliculogenesis and ovarian homeostasis.

High Resolution Imaging of the Osteogenic and Angiogenic Interface at the Site of Cranial Bone Defect Repair via Multiphoton Microscopy

This study uses multiphoton microscopy to examine blood vessel dynamics and oxygen metabolism during cranial bone defect repair, revealing differential metabolic responses between endothelial cells and osteoblasts.

Targeted multi-omic analysis of human skin tissue identifies alterations of conventional and unconventional T cells associated with burn injury

This study identifies T cell alterations in burn skin tissue using multi-omic analysis, showing increased pro-inflammatory activity and cytotoxic capacity in unconventional T cells.

Testis-specific H2BFWT disrupts nucleosome integrity through reductions of DNA-histone interactions

This study identifies H2BFWT's role in spermatogenesis by showing its impact on nucleosome stability and gene expression through structural and functional analyses.

ppGpp and RNA-Polymerase Backtracking Guide Antibiotic-Induced Mutable Gambler Cells

The paper identifies the stringent starvation response as a key driver of ciprofloxacin-induced mutagenesis through RNA polymerase and ppGpp-mediated DNA-damage signaling.

Longitudinal single-cell transcriptomics reveals distinct patterns of recurrence in acute myeloid leukemia

This study uses longitudinal single-cell transcriptomics to analyze AML recurrence patterns, finding varying transcriptional changes between diagnosis and relapse that challenge the clonal evolution model.

A novel cryo-electron microscopy support film based on 2D crystal of HFBI protein

This paper introduces a new cryo-EM support film using HFBI protein 2D crystals to improve protein structure resolution by reducing preferred orientation and denaturation during vitrification.

Lymphoid follicle formation and human vaccination responses recapitulated in an organ-on-a-chip

This paper demonstrates the formation of lymphoid follicles in a human organ-on-a-chip model and shows improved vaccine responses compared to 2D cultures.

Single-cell RNA-sequencing of peripheral neuroblastic tumors reveals an aggressive transitional cell state at the junction of an adrenergic-mesenchymal transdifferentiation trajectory

This study uses single-cell RNA-sequencing to identify a transitional cell state in peripheral neuroblastic tumors associated with poor prognosis and therapeutic targets.

Molecular mechanism of mitochondrial phosphatidate transfer by Ups1/Mdm35

This study investigates the molecular mechanism of PA transfer by Ups1/Mdm35 using crystal structures, molecular dynamics simulations, and biophysical assays, revealing conformational changes and regulatory factors.

Cryo-EM structures reveal interactions of S-OPA1 with membrane and changes upon nucleotide binding

The paper uses cryo-EM to study SOPA1's structure and conformational changes upon GTP binding, revealing its unique mechanism in mitochondrial membrane fusion.

New interfaces on MiD51 for Drp1 recruitment and regulation

This study identifies two regions on MiD51 that bind Drp1 and shows that MiD51 dimerization via a disulfide bond is required for Drp1 recruitment, revealing a multi-faceted regulatory mechanism for mitochondrial fission.

Gamblers: an Antibiotic-induced Evolvable Cell Subpopulation Differentiated by Reactive-oxygen-induced General Stress Response

The paper shows ciprofloxacin induces antibiotic-resistant mutations by creating a subpopulation of cells with activated sigma-S response, which allows error-prone repair and generates cross-resistant mutants.

Bacteria-to-human protein networks reveal origins of endogenous DNA damage

The paper identifies DNA-damaging proteins in E. coli and their human homologs, showing they promote endogenous DNA damage and are overrepresented in cancer drivers.