Browse Articles

Structure, regulation and assembly of the photosynthetic electron transport chain

Neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 enhances H3K18 lactylation via binding to LDH and downregulates ITGB4 to block metastasis

Retraction Note: Long non-coding RNA MLLT4 antisense RNA 1 induces autophagy to inhibit tumorigenesis of cervical cancer through modulating the myosin-9/ATG14 axis

Functions and therapeutic applications of pseudouridylation

Metabolomics analysis of SNAT2-deficient cells: Implications for the discovery of selective small-molecule inhibitors of an amino acid transporter

Tailoring Tubular Supramolecular Polymers with Polar Lumens to Host Hydrophilic Dye Molecules

Abstract Supramolecular polymers are living an intense research period in which new synthetic strategies, unusual morphologies, and diverse promising applications are being explored. We contribute here to this field with the development of a unique class of supramolecular polymers that are able to selectively encapsulate guest molecules within their lumen. This is achieved through a rational design of the monomer units, which self‐assemble in amphiphilic cyclic entities that then stack into lipophilic tubular architectures that contain a polar pore. These tailored assemblies are able to host hydrophilic dye molecules that are complementary in size and chemical affinity for the pore coating. Dye extraction is characterized by: (1) the emergence of the dye absorption and emission features in solution, (2) a red shift of the absorption and emission maxima, caused by a confined environment of high viscosity, and (3) an energy transfer process from the monomer at the tube's walls to the included dye guest, which was characterized by photoluminescence (PL), excitation, and transient absorption measurements. When different dyes are co‐encapsulated, the tubular supramolecular polymer provides a unidimensional confined chiral environment to promote sequential energy transfer processes between them.

Distinct liver sections exhibit sex-specific gene expression patterns in Lewis rats

Abstract Sex-specific differences in liver gene expression have previously been reported in humans and rodents. Clinically, female-to-male liver transplants are known to be associated with adverse post-transplantation outcomes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Sex-specific gene expression differences may be involved in the post-transplantation outcomes. Here, we analyse sex-specific differences in liver gene expression of Lewis rats on a genome-wide scale. In total, 543 genes exhibited a differential gene expression between male (n = 4) and female (n = 4) rats, with the largest difference found for the transcript ENSRNOG00000009273.7 (log2FC = 10.69, p < 2.2*10− 308). Genes downregulated (n = 272) in males were enriched for cholesterol homeostasis and late oestrogen response. We further analysed inter- and intra-sex gene expression differences in three individual liver sections to evaluate liver heterogeneity. Although several genes exhibited a sex-specific expression in all three liver sections (n = 240), distinct expression patterns within each individual section were determined. Variations between sections were even evident within the same sex with male liver sections revealing more differentially expressed genes (male n = 40, female n = 11). Consequently, studies investigating liver-specific gene expressions should consider this intrahepatic heterogeneity to avoid introducing potential biases. Subsequent studies ought to explore gene expression differences between the sexes pre- and post-transplantation, particularly regarding a female-to-male transplants.

Proteome solubility is differentially reshaped by thermal stress and regulators of ubiquitination

Surface Protected Organozirconium Catalyzes C─H Alumination of Saturated Hydrocarbons

Abstract Surface grafted organozirconium catalyzes C─H/Et─Al exchange reactions, involving saturated hydrocarbons and AlEt 3 , to afford organoaluminum compounds and ethane. The Zr(O t Bu) 3 @SiO 2 ‐Al 2 O 3–700 ( 1 ) catalyst contains monopodal ≡SiO─Zr(O t Bu) 3 and only a few residual silanols (<5%). Nonetheless, these silanols are the Achille's heel of 1 , providing a pathway for surface and catalyst degradation during catalysis, limiting the alkylaluminum yield and catalyst turnover. Support degradation, involving the cleavage of Si─O bonds by activated surface organometallics, is inhibited by capping silanols with ─SiMe 3 . Residual silanols in 1 react with allyltrimethylsilane, as determined by solid‐state 13 C and 29 Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and reaction stoichiometry, to form Zr(O t Bu) 3 /SiMe 3 @SiO 2 ‐Al 2 O 3–700 ( 2 ), which is resistant to degradation by AlEt 3 . C─H alumination of dodecane catalyzed by 2 produces higher yields of the 1‐dodecylaluminum product in comparison to 1 , and in >95% selectivity. Additionally, methane undergoes 2 ‐catalyzed C─H alumination, providing a route to AlMe 3 .

M-estimation activation functions for high-performance extreme learning machine ensemble classification

Mechanisms of auxin action in plant growth and development

The ribonucleoprotein hnRNP K promotes hepatic steatosis by suppressing the nuclear hormone receptor PPARα

Identification of sensory fiber types in mouse temporomandibular joint tissues

Molecular machineries shaping the mitochondrial inner membrane

ERK signaling promotes IKKε expression and oncogenic functions in pancreatic cancer cells in association with TBK1

Progressive Learning‐Guided Discovery of Single‐Atom Metal Oxide Catalysts for Acidic Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Abstract The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a key bottleneck in clean energy conversion due to sluggish kinetics and high overpotentials. Transition metal single‐atom catalysts offer great promise for OER optimization thanks to their high atomic efficiency and tunable electronic structures. However, intrinsic scaling relationships between adsorbed intermediates limit catalytic performance and complicate discovery through conventional machine learning (ML). To overcome this, we combined density functional theory (DFT) with a progressive learning strategy within an active learning framework. By first predicting adsorption energies as auxiliary features, our ML model achieved improved sensitivity to rare, high‐activity candidates. High‐throughput screening of 261 transition metal single‐atom‐doped metal oxides (M SA ‐MO x ) identified nine top‐performing catalysts (theoretical overpotential < 0.5 V), including Mn SA ‐RuO 2 and Fe SA ‐TiO 2 (theoretical overpotential < 0.3 V). Data mining revealed key theoretical descriptors governing OER activity, while electronic structure analysis pinpointed intermediate binding strength as the key performance driver. Further constant‐potential DFT calculations and experimental evaluation of Mn SA ‐RuO 2 confirmed its low overpotential and excellent durability under acidic conditions. This integrated framework, which connects theoretical modeling, ML prediction, and experimental validation, accelerates the discovery of efficient OER catalysts and provides mechanistic insights for the rational design of materials in sustainable energy technologies.

Chemical Proteomics Identifies RBBP7 as a New E3 Ligase Supporting Targeted Protein Degradation

Abstract Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has been recognized as a powerful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. However, the application of existing degraders is constrained by their dependence on a limited number of E3 ubiquitin ligases, such as CRBN and VHL. To address this limitation, we developed a suite of novel small‐molecule degraders by integrating an ynamide electrophile into protein‐targeting ligands. These compounds demonstrated remarkable target degradation capability. Subsequent proteome profiling and functional validation revealed that Cys97 residue of retinoblastoma binding protein 7 (RBBP7) E3 ligase was covalently engaged and responsible for the degradation mechanism. Furthermore, the ynamide motif has proved to be a versatile and transplantable chemical handle, facilitating the development of degraders targeting a wide range of proteins, including CDK4, PDE5, PI3K, AKT, BCR‐ABL, BRD4, EGFR L858R , and EGFR L858R/T790M/C797S . Notably, incorporation of ynamide into the “pan‐kinase” inhibitor XO44 yielded degraders capable of simultaneously degrading various kinases, such as PI3K, Syk, AKT, and GSK‐3β, further highlighting the general feasibility of this approach. Importantly, the ynamide‐containing degraders demonstrated significantly enhanced anticancer potency compared to their parent inhibitors.

Optimization of protease production by newly isolated Bacillus sp. from the Red Sea using defatted soybean cake

Abstract In this study, three strains of alkaline protease-producing bacteria were isolated from marine seawater collected at a depth of 15 meters off the coast of Ras Sedr at Egypt’s Red Sea. The isolates were morphologically and biochemically characterized, and the most efficient strain was identified via 16S rRNA sequencing, showing 99% similarity to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MPA 1034. Our newly isolated strain was deposited in the GenBank under the accession number PP034178.1 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRC-IB-11). Six organic waste substrates, namely defatted almond cake, shrimp peel, wheat bran, chicken feathers, defatted flax cake, and defatted soybean cake, were evaluated for enzyme production, with defatted soybean cake yielding the highest activity. Under optimized conditions (10 g/100 mL of defatted soybean cake media, 10% v/v inoculum size, pH 10, 35 °C, and 160 rpm agitation speed), the newly isolated strain produced a maximum of 590 U/mL alkaline protease. This study introduces a novel marine-derived Bacillus strain with promising protease productivity and demonstrates sustainable bioprocessing, utilizing a single-component culture medium to minimize production costs.

DHX9 phosphorylation at S321 by ATM regulates DHX9 retention at DNA double-strand break sites and interaction with BRCA1

Spontaneous Nano‐ZrO ₂ Exsolution from Ni‐Zr‐O Mixed Oxides Enables Facile Fabrication of ZrO ₂ /Ni Inverse Catalysts for Efficient CO _x Methanation

Abstract Ni‐based inverse catalysts with nano‐oxide dispersed on metallic substrates have emerged as promising candidates for low‐temperature CO 2 methanation, but it remains challenging in facile synthesis of well‐dispersed oxide‐metal interactions. Herein, a spontaneous oxide exsolution strategy for the fabrication of Ni‐based inverse catalyst via monodispersed Zr species of Ni‐Zr‐O mixed oxide is demonstrated, where precisely tailored calcination and reduction of the mixed oxide enable in situ nano‐ZrO 2 segregation on the metallic Ni matrix. The formation evolution of inverse configuration is elucidated through comprehensive ex situ/in situ characterizations. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals the electron transfer between the exsolved ZrO 2 and the Ni matrix, indicating the presence of metal‐oxide interactions. The prepared ZrO 2 /Ni inverse catalyst achieves ∼90% CO 2 conversion and >99% CH 4 selectivity at low‐temperature of 200 °C, and also demonstrates excellent catalytic performance and dynamic operational stability in complex CO x hydrogenation reactions, validating its industrial applicability under realistic syngas‐equivalent feedstock conditions.