The trypanosomatid flagellates possess in their single mitochondrion a highly complex kinetoplast (k)DNA, which is composed of interlocked circular molecules of two types. Dozens of maxicircles represent a classical mitochondrial genome, and thousands of minicircles encode guide (g)RNAs, which direct the processive and essential uridine insertion/deletion messenger RNA (mRNA) editing of maxicircle

DNA methylation regulates fruit ripening in tomato, and disruption of the DNA demethylase DEMETER-LIKE 2 (DML2) results in genome-wide DNA hypermethylation and impaired ripening. We report here that the transcription factors Ripening Inhibitor (RIN) and FRUITFULL 1 (FUL1) play critical roles in mediating the effect of DNA methylation on tomato fruit ripening. RIN and FUL1 are silenced in dml2 mutant

Wetting of liquid droplets on passive surfaces is ubiquitous in our daily lives, and the governing physical laws are well understood. When surfaces become active, however, the governing laws of wetting remain elusive. Here, we propose chemically active wetting as a class of active systems where the surface is active due to a binding process that is maintained away from equilibrium. We derive the corresponding

The main form of intracellular protein glycosylation (O-GlcNAc) is reversible and has been mapped on thousands of cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins, including RNA polymerase II, transcription factors, and chromatin modifiers. The O-GlcNAc modification is catalyzed by a single enzyme known as O-GlcNAc Transferase, that is required for mammalian early development. Yet, neither the regulatory function

NARROW LEAF 1 ( NAL1 ), originally identified for its role in shaping leaf morphology, plant architecture, and various agronomic traits in rice, has remained enigmatic in terms of the molecular mechanisms governing its multifaceted functions. In this study, we present a comprehensive structural analysis of NAL1 proteins, shedding light on how NAL1 regulates the phase separation of its physiological

The interaction of mRNA and regulatory proteins is critical for posttranscriptional control. For proper function, these interactions, as well as the involved protein and RNA structures, are highly dynamic, and thus, mechanistic insights from structural biology are challenging to obtain. In this study, we employ a multifaceted approach combining single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) with NMR spectroscopy

Biomolecular condensates are currently recognized to play a key role in organizing cellular space and in orchestrating biochemical processes. Despite an increasing interest in characterizing their internal organization at the molecular scale, not much is known about how the densely crowded environment within these condensates affects the structural properties of recruited macromolecules. Here, we adopted

Solvents within gels enhance the mobility of polymer chain segments while concurrently diminishing interchain interactions, thereby facilitating the ductility of glassy polymers at the cost of their mechanical strength. Here, we develop a solvent toughening strategy for the preparation of highly compressible and high-strength ionogels in the glassy state. This approach leverages the synergistic effects

The solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on a battery electrode has been a central area of research for decades. This structurally complex layer profoundly impacts the electrochemical deposition morphology and stability of metal anodes. Departing from conventional approaches, we investigate metal dissolution—the reverse reaction of deposition—in battery environments using a state-of-the-art electroanalytical

Collective migration of epithelial tissues is a critical feature of developmental morphogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Coherent motion of cell collectives requires large-scale coordination of motion and force generation and is influenced by mechanical properties of the underlying substrate. While tissue viscoelasticity is a ubiquitous feature of biological tissues, its role in mediating collective

The posttranslational modification (PTM) of innate immune sensor proteins by ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins is crucial for regulating antiviral host responses. The cytoplasmic dsRNA receptor melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) undergoes several PTMs including ISGylation within its first caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD), which promotes MDA5 signaling. However,

Caspase-8 signaling has proapoptotic, antinecroptotic, and proinflammatory signaling roles dependent on interaction with the adapter molecule FADD, oligomerization, and autocleavage. Previously, a Caspase-8 binding partner cFLIP L (FLIP, encoded by Cflar ) was shown to prevent Caspase-8-dependent apoptosis, but permit Caspase-8-dependent inhibition of necroptosis. We sought to explore the role of FLIP

This study examines the relationship between academic achievement and strategic ability to coordinate among middle school students. We designed an experimental framework using repeated asymmetric Battle of the Sexes and Hawk–Dove games, to explore how cognitive and social skills related to academic success influence behavior. A total of 132 students participated, divided into groups of high and low

High juvenile susceptibility drives infectious disease epidemics across kingdoms, yet the evolutionary mechanisms that maintain this susceptibility are unclear. We tested the hypothesis that juvenile susceptibility is maintained by high costs of resistance by quantifying the genetic correlation between host fitness and age-specific innate resistance to a fungal pathogen in a wild plant. We separately

In eukaryotes, the origin recognition complex (ORC) promotes the assembly of minichromosome maintenance 2 to 7 complexes into a head-to-head double hexamer at origin DNA in a process known as replication licensing. In this study, we present a series of cryoelectron microscopy structures of yeast ORC mutants in complex with origin DNA. We show that Orc6, the smallest subunit of ORC, utilizes its transcription

Microbial colony development hinges upon a myriad of factors, including mechanical, biochemical, and environmental niches, which collectively shape spatial patterns governed by intricate gene regulatory networks. The inherent complexity of this phenomenon necessitates innovative approaches to comprehend and compare the mechanisms driving pattern formation. Here, we unveil the multistability of bacterial

Genome maintenance and stability rely on the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Breaks can be repaired via the single-strand-annealing pathway mediated by the protein RAD52. RAD52 oligomerizes to rings that are thought to promote annealing. However, rings have only been observed at micromolar concentrations at which annealing activity is impaired. Thus, it is unclear which oligomeric form is responsible

We provide national-scale experimental evidence from China showing that transparency by local governments improves the management of air pollution. Governments that perform better have more reasons to be transparent, making the causal relationship between transparency and policy outcomes difficult to disentangle. In 2015, we randomly assigned municipal governments in China to a high-visibility, public

Meiotic crossovers rearrange allele combinations and create offspring diversity. Crossovers occur nonrandomly along chromosomes, predominantly in distal euchromatin and less in pericentromeric heterochromatin marked with histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) and the H2A variant H2A.W in Arabidopsis thaliana . Loss of H3K9me2 increases heterochromatic crossovers, but how H2A.W affects crossover

Posttranslational modifications can critically affect conformational changes of amyloid-forming proteins. Ubiquitination of the microtubule-associated tau protein, an intrinsically disordered biomolecule, has been proposed to influence the formation of filamentous deposits in neurodegenerative conditions. Given the reported link between aggregation propensity and intrinsic structural preferences (e

Engineering small autonomous agents capable of operating in the microscale environment remains a key challenge, with current systems still evolving. Our study explores the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster , a classic model system in biology and a species adept at microscale interaction, as a biological platform for microrobotics. Initially, we focus on remotely directing the walking paths of fruit

The integrated stress response (ISR) is a central signaling network that enables eukaryotic cells to respond to a variety of different environmental stresses. Such stresses cause ribosome collisions that lead to activation of the kinase Gcn2, resulting in the phosphorylation and inactivation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 and thereby promoting selective translation of mRNAs to restore homeostasis

Magnetic anisotropy plays a crucial role in determining the critical behavior and phase transitions in two-dimensional magnetic systems. It is also required for the design of thin-film spintronic devices. Despite its significance, sensing extremely weak anisotropy has proven challenging in van der Waals antiferromagnetic/ferrimagnetic materials. Here, we first employ simulations of micromagnetic energy

Various strategies targeting spinal locomotor circuitry have been associated with functional improvements after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the neuronal populations mediating beneficial effects remain largely unknown. Using a combination therapy in a mouse model of complete SCI, we show that virally delivered brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (AAV-BDNF) activates hindlimb stepping and

Theoretically derived scaling laws capture the nonlinear relationships between rapidly expanding brain volume and cortical gyrification across mammalian species and in adult humans. However, the preservation of these laws has not been comprehensively assessed in typical or pathological brain development. Here, we assessed the scaling laws governing cortical thickness (CT), surface area (SA), and cortical

Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), a commensal in the human oral cavity, is overrepresented in the colon microbiota of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and is linked to tumor chemoresistance, metastasis, and a poor therapeutic prognosis. Fn produces numerous adhesins that mediate tumor colonization and downregulation of the host’s antitumor immune response. One of these, the trimeric autotransporter adhesin

The tubulin tail is a key element for microtubule (MT) functionality, but the functional redundancy of tubulin genes complicates the genetic determination of their physiological functions. Here, we removed the C-terminal tail of five alpha- and four beta-tubulin genes in the C. elegans genome. Sensory cilia typically exhibit an axoneme that longitudinally differentiates into a middle segment with doublet

Most members of the dynamin superfamily of large guanosine triphophatases (GTPases) have an ability to remodel membranes in response to guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis. Ring Finger Protein 112 (RNF112) (ZNF179/neurolastin) is a recently identified brain-specific dynamin-like protein possessing a really interesting new gene (RING) finger domain. Despite its essential role as an E3 ligase in

Photovoltaic technology has emerged as a key candidate for powering underwater devices. However, traditional solar cells face limitations in real marine environments. Flexible solar cells offer new possibilities for underwater energy harvesting. This study identifies the optimal bandgap and depth for flexible underwater solar cells through detailed balance calculations and experiments. We also established

Humans and other animals are adept at learning to perform cognitively demanding behavioral tasks. Neurophysiological recordings in nonhuman primates during such tasks find that the requisite cognitive variables are encoded strongly in core oculomotor brain regions. Here, we assembled a large dataset—11 monkeys performing an abstract visual categorization task, surveyed across more than 1,000 neural

Seismic fault slip and rupture propagation often occur at crustal depths in the presence of hot and pressurized aqueous fluids (i.e., hydrothermal conditions). Previous experiments investigated fault frictional properties under hydrothermal conditions, but at imposed subseismic fault slip velocities ( V ~μm/s). Here, using a rotary-shear apparatus equipped with a hydrothermal pressure vessel, we study

Precise and reliable climate projections are required for climate adaptation and mitigation, but Earth system models still exhibit great uncertainties. Several approaches have been developed to reduce the spread of climate projections and feedbacks, yet those methods cannot capture the nonlinear complexity inherent in the climate system. Using a Transfer Learning approach, we show that Machine Learning

While Indigenous Knowledge (IK) contains a wealth of information on the behavior and habitat use of species, it is rarely included in the species–habitat models frequently used by Western species management authorities. As decisions from these authorities can limit access to species that are important culturally and for subsistence, exclusion of IK in conservation and management frameworks can negatively

Interest in the biological actions of alcohols, ethanol in particular, dates back to the earliest historical texts. Alcohol research is now a highly active field with roots in physiology, pharmacology, toxicology, and neuroscience. But at what point did interest and speculation evolve into bona fide science? Here, we set out to identify the earliest systematic empirical investigations into the biological

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) currently causes about one million infections and 240,000 deaths worldwide each year. To reach the goal set by the World Health Organization of global HCV elimination by 2030, it is critical to develop a prophylactic vaccine. Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) target the E1E2 envelope glycoproteins on the viral surface, can neutralize a broad range of the highly diverse

In order to reduce the risk of high-threat pathogens, a photocatalytic antibacterial method with a reputation for high efficiency and sustainability has attracted widespread attention. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as desirable platforms for photocatalytic applications by virtue of their structural diversity and functional adjustability. Herein, we report that we have synthesized

White matter develops over the course of childhood in an experience-dependent manner. However, its role in the relationship between the early environment and later cognition is unclear, in part due to focus on changes in specific gray matter regions. This study examines white matter differences across adolescents from diverse environments, evaluating both their extent throughout the brain and their

Increased differentiation or activity of osteoclasts is the key pathogenic factor of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP). N4‐acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification, catalyzed by Nat10, is a novel posttranscriptional mRNA modification related to many diseases. However, its impact on regulating osteoclast activation in PMOP remains uncertain. Here, we initially observed that Nat10-mediated ac4C positively

Modern brain–computer interfaces (BCI), utilizing electroencephalograms for bidirectional human–machine communication, face significant limitations from movement-vulnerable rigid sensors, inconsistent skin–electrode impedance, and bulky electronics, diminishing the system’s continuous use and portability. Here, we introduce motion artifact–controlled micro–brain sensors between hair strands, enabling

Active regulation of gene expression, orchestrated by complex interactions of activators and repressors at promoters, controls the fate of organisms. In contrast, basal expression at uninduced promoters is considered to be a dynamically inert mode of nonfunctional “promoter leakiness,” merely a byproduct of transcriptional regulation. Here, we investigate the basal expression mode of the mar operon

Plant cell walls are composed of skeletal cellulose and a filling matrix of hemicelluloses and lignin. Cellulose has slender crystallite units referred to as microfibrils or elementary fibrils, and these crystallites form a dense network skeleton in the cell walls. In this study, we assessed the morphology and crystallinity of individually dispersed microfibrils isolated from the cell walls of wood

The study of bacterial metabolism holds immense significance for improving human health and advancing agricultural practices. The prospective applications of genomically encoded bacterial metabolism present a compelling opportunity, particularly in the light of the rapid expansion of genomic sequencing data. Current metabolic inference tools face challenges in scaling with large datasets, leading to

Influenza remains a significant public health threat. Both monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors can target the influenza surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin (HA) or neuraminidase (NA) for prevention and treatment of influenza. Here, we combine the strengths of anti-influenza antibodies and small molecules by site-specific conjugation of the NA inhibitor zanamivir to MEDI8852, an HA-specific

By explicit microscopic construction involving a mapping to a quantum vertex model subject to the “ice rule,” we show that an electronically “trivial” band insulator with suitable vibrational (phonon) degrees of freedom can host a “resonating valence-bond” state—a quantum phase with emergent gauge fields. This type of band insulator is identifiable by the existence of emergent gapless “photon” modes

The massive geographic expansion of terrestrial plant crops, livestock, and marine aquacultured species during the 19th and 20th centuries provided local economic benefits, stabilized food demands, and altered local ecosystems. The invasion history of these translocations remains uncertain for most species, limiting our understanding of their future adaptive potential and historical roles as vectors

The concept of a geometric phase has sparked a revolution in photonics. Conventional space-variant polarization manipulation in optical systems only results in broadband geometric phases. Recently emerged nonlocal metasurfaces show an ability to compress the operating bandwidth through modulations of wavelength-dependent amplitudes. However, their geometric phases are still broadband and not linear

The G protein–coupled cysteinyl leukotriene receptor CysLT2R plays intricate roles in the physiology and pathogenesis of inflammation-related processes. It has garnered increasing attention as a potential therapeutic target for atopic asthma, brain injury, central nervous system disorders, and various types of cancer. In this study, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of the cysteinyl

Our experience of the world is inherently subjective, shaped by individual history, knowledge, and perspective. Art offers a framework within which this subjectivity is practiced and promoted, inviting viewers to engage in interpretation. According to art theory, different forms of art—ranging from the representational to the abstract—challenge these interpretive processes in different ways. Yet, much