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Multi-ancestry sequencing-based genome-wide association study of C-reactive protein in 513,273 genomes
Pavement Burns
Neutrophil single-cell analysis identifies a type II interferon-related subset for predicting relapse of autoimmune small vessel vasculitis
Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness
Author Correction: Quantifying both socioeconomic and climate uncertainty in coupled human–Earth systems analysis
Oral Anticoagulation during TAVI
How Democrats and Republicans cite science: study reveals stark differences
Ultra-weak infrared light detection based on steep-slope phototransistors
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
A CRISPR homing screen finds a chloroquine resistance transporter-like protein of the Plasmodium oocyst essential for mosquito transmission of malaria
Abstract Genetic screens with barcoded PlasmoGEM vectors have identified thousands of Plasmodium berghei gene functions in haploid blood stages, gametocytes and liver stages. However, the formation of diploid cells by fertilisation has hindered similar research on the parasites’ mosquito stages. In this study, we develop a scalable genetic system that uses barcoded gene targeting vectors equipped with a CRISPR-mediated homing mechanism to generate homozygous loss-of-function mutants after one parent introduces a modified allele into the zygote. To achieve this, we use vectors additionally expressing a target gene specific gRNA. When integrated into one of the parental alleles it directs Cas9 to the intact allele after fertilisation, leading to its disruption. This homing strategy is 90% effective at generating homozygous gene editing of a fluorescence-tagged reporter locus in the oocyst. A pilot screen identifies PBANKA_0916000 as a chloroquine resistance transporter-like protein (CRTL) essential for oocyst growth and sporogony, pointing to an unexpected importance for malaria transmission of the poorly understood digestive vacuole of the oocyst that contains hemozoin granules. Homing screens provide a method for the systematic discovery of malaria transmission genes whose first essential functions are after fertilisation in the bloodmeal, enabling their potential as targets for transmission-blocking interventions to be assessed.
Long-Term Effects of Atidarsagene Autotemcel for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy
Baffling chronic pain eases after doses of gut microbes
A facultative plasminogen-independent thrombolytic enzyme from Sipunculus nudus
Abstract Current thrombolytic therapies primarily function by converting plasminogen into plasmin, a process dependent on the fibrin–activator complex. This dependence, coupled with the substantial molecular size of plasmin, constrains its effectiveness in degrading D-dimer and restricts its diffusion within thrombi. Here, we introduce a small facultative plasminogen-independent thrombolytic enzyme, snFPITE, isolated from Sipunculus nudus . Compared to traditional thrombolytic agents, snFPITE does not require plasminogen for thrombolysis, although its presence enhances lytic activity. This enzyme fully degrades cross-linked fibrin without leaving residual nondegradable D-dimer and generates a smaller fibrinolytic-active agent from plasminogen. A series of male rats and mice models further confirm that snFPITE is a safety injectable thrombolytic agent. Mechanistically, snFPITE activates plasminogen and degrades fibrin(ogen) in a multisite cleavage manner. snFPITE is inhibited by plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and α2-antiplasmin via a competitive inhibition. We further identify 28 snFPITE candidate sequences, of which 10 are confirmed as functional genes.