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| Open AccessStructural differences between the closely related RNA helicases, UAP56 and URH49, fashion distinct functional apo-complexes
UAP56 is an important factor in the TREX complex, which is responsible for mRNA export. Here the authors show that the closely related RNA helicases, UAP56 and URH49, exhibit different three-dimensional structures due to one amino acid change. Accordingly, they form distinct apo-complexes and function in the nuclear export of specific target mRNAs.
- Ken-ichi Fujita
- , Misa Ito
- & Seiji Masuda
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Article
| Open AccessCryo-EM observation of the amyloid key structure of polymorphic TDP-43 amyloid fibrils
This study presents the cryo-EM structures of polymorphic TDP-43-derived amyloid fibrils that share a common fibril protein conformation constituting an amyloid key motif. The obtained results provide a possible mechanistic explanation for the formation of this motif in amyloid fibrils.
- Kartikay Sharma
- , Fabian Stockert
- & Marcus Fändrich
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Article
| Open AccessDisordered-to-ordered transitions in assembly factors allow the complex II catalytic subunit to switch binding partners
Here, the authors investigate the maturation of human respiratory Complex II, uncovering two metastable intermediates of maturation which suggest changes in intrinsic disorder ensure that the assembly steps occur in the correct sequence.
- Pankaj Sharma
- , Elena Maklashina
- & T. M. Iverson
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Article
| Open AccessLigand coupling mechanism of the human serotonin transporter differentiates substrates from inhibitors
The serotonin transporter, targeted by several medications, terminates neurotransmission by clearing serotonin from the synaptic cleft. Combining biochemical results with in silico data, the authors show the key interactions that initiate substrate transport.
- Ralph Gradisch
- , Katharina Schlögl
- & Thomas Stockner
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Article
| Open AccessCryo-EM structure and B-factor refinement with ensemble representation
Cryo-EM is the go-to method for visualizing large, flexible biomolecules. Here, authors introduce a new Gaussian mixture modelling method for cryo-EM modelling tasks, including refinement, composite map generation and ensemble representation.
- Joseph G. Beton
- , Thomas Mulvaney
- & Maya Topf
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Article
| Open AccessEpstein-Barr virus-driven B cell lymphoma mediated by a direct LMP1-TRAF6 complex
Epstein-Barr virus causes lymphoma. Here the authors describe a direct complex of the viral oncoprotein LMP1 with the cellular TRAF6 protein as a critical virus-host interface for lymphoma survival and validate this complex as a potential therapeutic target.
- Fabian Giehler
- , Michael S. Ostertag
- & Arnd Kieser
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Article
| Open AccessOvercoming resolution attenuation during tilted cryo-EM data collection
Here, the authors quantify the effect of cryo-EM data acquisition with stage-tilt on the global resolution of reconstructions and present a tool for predicting an optimal stage-tilt angle to ameliorate the effects of preferred specimen orientation.
- Sriram Aiyer
- , Philip R. Baldwin
- & Dmitry Lyumkis
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Article
| Open AccessDoa10/MARCH6 architecture interconnects E3 ligase activity with lipid-binding transmembrane channel to regulate SQLE
Transmembrane E3 ligases are crucial in cellular homeostasis and metabolic regulation. Here, the authors provide the structural details of the ER-resident E3 ligase MARCH6/Doa10, uncovering its unique circular membrane structure and its role in ubiquitylation processes, essential for protein quality control.
- J. Josephine Botsch
- , Roswitha Junker
- & Bastian Bräuning
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Article
| Open AccessMultiple redox switches of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease in vitro provide opportunities for drug design
Here the authors demonstrate that the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) is subject to redox regulation in vitro, reversibly switching between the enzymatically active dimer and the functionally dormant monomer through redox modifications of cysteine residues.
- Lisa-Marie Funk
- , Gereon Poschmann
- & Kai Tittmann
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Article
| Open AccessMulti-scale structures of the mammalian radial spoke and divergence of axonemal complexes in ependymal cilia
Radial spokes (RS) are crucial in coordinating ciliary motility. Here, authors use cryo-EM and cryo-ET to gain insight into mammalian RS divergence in ependymal cilia, RS assembly mechanism and the structure-function relationships of ciliary and flagellar axonemes.
- Xueming Meng
- , Cong Xu
- & Yao Cong
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Article
| Open AccessConformational coupling of the sialic acid TRAP transporter HiSiaQM with its substrate binding protein HiSiaP
Tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters use an extra substrate binding protein to transport a variety of substrates in bacteria and archaea. Here the authors use a disulfide engineering approach to lock the TRAP transporter HiSiaPQM from H. influenzae in different conformational states for characterisation.
- Martin F. Peter
- , Jan A. Ruland
- & Gregor Hagelueken
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Article
| Open AccessMechanism of anion exchange and small-molecule inhibition of pendrin
Here the authors report structures of pendrin, an anion exchanger, in complex with its substrate Cl−, I−, or HCO3−, which reveal two anion binding sites in each protomer. The authors also identify binding sites of a pendrin inhibitor, niflumic acid.
- Lie Wang
- , Anthony Hoang
- & Ming Zhou
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Article
| Open AccessTon motor conformational switch and peptidoglycan role in bacterial nutrient uptake
Gram-negative bacteria rely on the Ton system for nutrient uptake. Here, authors uncover how the ExbD protein acts as a conformational switch and the function of peptidoglycan in order to energize this transport process across the outer membrane.
- Maximilian Zinke
- , Maylis Lejeune
- & Nadia Izadi-Pruneyre
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Article
| Open AccessTail-tape-fused virion and non-virion RNA polymerases of a thermophilic virus with an extremely long tail
The authors describe the structure and function of two evolutionarily diverged RNA polymerases of a thermophilic phage. One of the polymerases is fused to the phage tape measure protein, a virion component dictating the length of the phage tail.
- Anastasiia Chaban
- , Leonid Minakhin
- & Maria L. Sokolova
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Article
| Open AccessCleavage-intermediate Lassa virus trimer elicits neutralizing responses, identifies neutralizing nanobodies, and reveals an apex-situated site-of-vulnerability
Gorman et al. designed a Lassa virus prefusion-stabilized soluble glycoprotein complex trimer (GPC), with which they identified a Lassa virus-neutralizing nanobody that bound the GPC apex and elicited neutralizing antibody responses in guinea pigs.
- Jason Gorman
- , Crystal Sao-Fong Cheung
- & Peter D. Kwong
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Article
| Open AccessHelical reconstruction of VP39 reveals principles for baculovirus nucleocapsid assembly
Baculoviruses are used as insecticides, gene therapy tools, and protein production vectors. Here, the authors report the structure of the Autographa californica MNPV nucleocapsid and its fold conservation across all baculoviruses.
- Friederike M. C. Benning
- , Simon Jenni
- & Luke H. Chao
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Article
| Open AccessPetascale pipeline for precise alignment of images from serial section electron microscopy
Segmentation accuracy of serial section electron microscopy (ssEM) images can be limited by the step of aligning 2D section images to create a 3D image stack. Here the authors report a computational pipeline for aligning ssEM images and apply this to a whole fly brain dataset.
- Sergiy Popovych
- , Thomas Macrina
- & H. Sebastian Seung
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Article
| Open AccessDiverse array of neutralizing antibodies elicited upon Spike Ferritin Nanoparticle vaccination in rhesus macaques
An adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 spike-ferritin nanoparticle vaccine can elicit antibodies with relatively broad sarbecovirus activity in non-human primates. Here, the authors isolate and structurally characterize several monoclonal antibodies providing insights into the targeted epitopes and broad reactivity.
- Rajeshwer S. Sankhala
- , Kerri G. Lal
- & M. Gordon Joyce
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular mechanism of antihistamines recognition and regulation of the histamine H1 receptor
Histamine receptor H1R has been extensively targeted in the development of antihistamines. Here, Wang et al. determine structures of H1R alone and bound to different antihistamines, providing insights into the structure-based design of next-generation drugs.
- Dandan Wang
- , Qiong Guo
- & Yuyong Tao
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Article
| Open AccessStructural heterogeneity of the ion and lipid channel TMEM16F
TMEM16F is a transmembrane protein that facilitates passive phospholipid transbilayer movement and ion conduction across membranes. Here, authors reveal a structural heterogeneity which is possibly linked to TMEM16F unique dual function.
- Zhongjie Ye
- , Nicola Galvanetto
- & Arin Marchesi
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Article
| Open AccessCompetition between inside-out unfolding and pathogenic aggregation in an amyloid-forming β-propeller
Here, the relationship between unfolding and amyloid aggregation of glaucoma-associated myocilin is probed, showing that myocilin is not at equilibrium and pathogenic aggregation competes directly with unfolding.
- Emily G. Saccuzzo
- , Mubark D. Mebrat
- & Raquel L. Lieberman
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Article
| Open AccessLipid nanodisc scaffold and size alter the structure of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel
The authors show that lipid nanodiscs of different scaffold type and size alter the structure of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel, ELIC. The results suggest that nanodisc selection is an important consideration for structural studies of membrane proteins.
- Vikram Dalal
- , Mark J. Arcario
- & Wayland W. L. Cheng
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Article
| Open AccessAvapritinib-based SAR studies unveil a binding pocket in KIT and PDGFRA
Avapritinib, a potent inhibitor, offers hope for D842V-mutant GIST patients with high response rates; however, resistance and side effects remain challenges. Here, crystal structures shed light on this and reveal a Gα-pocket for drug development.
- A. Teuber
- , T. Schulz
- & D. Rauh
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular basis of the inositol deacylase PGAP1 involved in quality control of GPI-AP biogenesis
The inositol deacylase PGAP1 initiates glycolipid remodeling required for GPI-AP sorting and secretion. Here, authors capture three PGAP1 states in a lipid environment and with products, revealing mechanisms for substrate selectivity and catalysis.
- Jingjing Hong
- , Tingting Li
- & Dianfan Li
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular basis of human trace amine-associated receptor 1 activation
hTA1 is a drug target for several neuropsychiatric disorders. Using cryo-EM and pharmacological assays, the authors illuminate hTA1’s similarity to neurotransmitter receptors and discover that the antipsychotic asenapine potently activates the receptor.
- Gregory Zilberg
- , Alexandra K. Parpounas
- & Daniel Wacker
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Article
| Open AccessStructure-guided design of a selective inhibitor of the methyltransferase KMT9 with cellular activity
Wang et al. report on an inhibitor of the lysine methyltransferase KMT9 with cellular activity. The inhibitor blocks proliferation of androgen-resistant prostate cancer cells, opening therapeutics avenues to treat this type of cancer.
- Sheng Wang
- , Sebastian O. Klein
- & Roland Schüle
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Article
| Open AccessStructural basis for DNA proofreading
Here, the authors use cryo-EM to capture nine intermediates along the DNA proofreading pathway using human mitochondrial DNA Polymerase Gamma. The results provide a step-by-step view of the DNA proofreading at single-nucleotide resolution.
- Gina Buchel
- , Ashok R. Nayak
- & Dmitry Temiakov
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Article
| Open AccessStructural insights into the regulation, ligand recognition, and oligomerization of bacterial STING
Here the authors present the crystal structure of a bacterial STING. The structure shows that bacterial STING can modulate immune responses by forming anti-parallel dimers or, in certain species, through the presence of a long lid.
- Mei-Hui Hou
- , Yu-Chuan Wang
- & Yeh Chen
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Article
| Open AccessThe Mycobacterium tuberculosis methyltransferase Rv2067c manipulates host epigenetic programming to promote its own survival
Singh et al. show how the M. tuberculosis methyltransferase Rv2067c outsmarts host epigenetic machinery by methylating histone H3 prior to its assembly into nucleosomes, thereby ensuring the pathogen’s intracellular survival/success.
- Prakruti R. Singh
- , Venkatareddy Dadireddy
- & Valakunja Nagaraja
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Article
| Open AccessMerizo: a rapid and accurate protein domain segmentation method using invariant point attention
Proteins contain modular structural and functional units called domains. Here, the authors have developed Merizo, a deep learning method for domain segmentation applicable to experimental structures as well as those generated by AlphaFold2.
- Andy M. Lau
- , Shaun M. Kandathil
- & David T. Jones
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Article
| Open AccessAn RNA excited conformational state at atomic resolution
Excited conformation state of biomolecule is transient and high-energy conformation state. Here the authors use NMR spectroscopy and computational modeling to reveal the 3D structure of HIV-1 TAR RNA excited conformational state.
- Ainan Geng
- , Laura Ganser
- & Hashim M. Al-Hashimi
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Article
| Open AccessStructural dynamics of the CROPs domain control stability and toxicity of Paeniclostridium sordellii lethal toxin
Paeniclostridium sordellii lethal toxin (TcsL) is a potent toxin that can cause toxic shock syndrome. TcsL contains a unique CROPs domain with unclear functions. Here, the authors provide evidence of the CROPs domain’s role in stability and toxicity of TcsL.
- Yao Zhou
- , Xiechao Zhan
- & Liang Tao
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Article
| Open AccessAutoregulation of the LIM kinases by their PDZ domain
LIM domain kinases are key regulators of cofilin and consequently actin severing. Here, the authors show that the LIMK PDZ domain is important for autoregulation using a conserved surface distal to the canonical PDZ-binding cleft.
- Gabriela Casanova-Sepúlveda
- , Joel A. Sexton
- & Titus J. Boggon
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Article
| Open AccessBiophysical basis of filamentous phage tactoid-mediated antibiotic tolerance in P. aeruginosa
Filamentous phages can assemble into mesoscale structures termed tactoids that protect bacteria in biofilms from antibiotics. Here, the authors dissect the biophysical factors influencing this protection using two model phages, Pf4 and fd.
- Jan Böhning
- , Miles Graham
- & Tanmay A. M. Bharat
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Article
| Open AccessStructure and dynamics of endogenous cardiac troponin complex in human heart tissue captured by native nanoproteomics
The heterogenous nature and dynamics of endogenous protein complexes pose challenges for conventional structural biology techniques. Here, the authors develop a native nanoproteomics strategy for the enrichment and subsequent native top-down mass spectrometry (nTDMS) analysis of endogenous cardiac troponin (cTn) complex directly from human heart tissue.
- Emily A. Chapman
- , David S. Roberts
- & Ying Ge
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Article
| Open AccessA DARPin promotes faster onset of botulinum neurotoxin A1 action
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), the causative agents of the disease botulism, are potent biological toxins. Here the authors use Designed Ankyrin Repeat Proteins (DARPins) to probe BoNT structure and function: DARPin-F5 that completely blocks SNAP25 substrate cleavage by BoNT/A1 in vitro was identified.
- Oneda Leka
- , Yufan Wu
- & Richard A. Kammerer
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Article
| Open AccessA single C-terminal residue controls SARS-CoV-2 spike trafficking and incorporation into VLPs
Dey et al. use structure-function methods to show that partial mimicry of the coatomer-binding motif in the SARS-CoV-2 spike is crucial for its release post coatomer-dependent delivery, thus ensuring optimal spike fusogenicity and VLP incorporation.
- Debajit Dey
- , Enya Qing
- & S. Saif Hasan
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular basis and cellular functions of vinculin-actin directional catch bonding
This study provides insights into the directional catch bonding of the linker protein vinculin by elucidating the molecular basis of mechanical reinforcement as well as unveiling its key role in subcellular organization and cellular processes.
- Venkat R. Chirasani
- , Mohammad Ashhar I. Khan
- & Sharon L. Campbell
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Article
| Open AccessStructures revealing mechanisms of resistance and collateral sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to proteasome inhibitors
The proteasome of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf20S) is a promising multi-stage drug target. Using CryoEM Hsu et al. report the structures of parasite and human proteasome in complex with the recently developed inhibitor TDI-8304 to gain insights into its species selectivity.
- Hao-Chi Hsu
- , Daqiang Li
- & Gang Lin
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Article
| Open AccessERK2-topoisomerase II regulatory axis is important for gene activation in immediate early genes
Topoisomerase II (TOP2) has been identified as one of the regulators for the transcriptional activation of immediate early genes IEGs. Here the authors report that ERK1 and ERK2 oppositely regulate transcription and ERK2 regulates TOP2B-DNA interaction and catalysis to favor IEG transcription.
- Heeyoun Bunch
- , Deukyeong Kim
- & Shun-ichi Sekine
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Article
| Open AccessA computational toolbox for the assembly yield of complex and heterogeneous structures
Predicting the effective assembly of a set of proteins into a desired structure has traditionally been a challenging task. Here, authors demonstrate that advancements in automatic differentiation make it possible to address this problem using classical statistical mechanics.
- Agnese I. Curatolo
- , Ofer Kimchi
- & Michael P. Brenner
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular basis for proofreading by the unique exonuclease domain of Family-D DNA polymerases
Family D replicative DNA polymerases (PolD) contain a unique proofreading active site. Here, the authors present structures of PolD and enzymatic studies, revealing an unanticipated correction mechanism that extends the repertoire of protein domains known to be involved in DNA proofreading.
- Leonardo Betancurt-Anzola
- , Markel Martínez-Carranza
- & Ludovic Sauguet
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Article
| Open AccessMolecular mechanism of phospholipid transport at the bacterial outer membrane interface
Maintenance of lipid asymmetry in the bacterial outer membrane (OM) is mediated by the OmpC-Mla system, but mechanistic details remain to be elucidated. Here, the authors show that electrostatic interactions, conformational dynamics, and membrane thinning may facilitate spontaneous retrograde phospholipid transfer at the OM.
- Jiang Yeow
- , Min Luo
- & Shu-Sin Chng
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Article
| Open AccessZNF524 directly interacts with telomeric DNA and supports telomere integrity
ZNF524 is a newly described protein that binds to telomeres, the ends of linear chromosomes. ZNF524 promotes the presence of two members of the shelterin complex, TRF2/RAP1, at telomeres, and prevents genomic instability.
- Hanna Braun
- , Ziyan Xu
- & Dennis Kappei
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Article
| Open AccessCENP-A and CENP-B collaborate to create an open centromeric chromatin state
Centromeres are defined by the histone variant CENP-A. Using single-molecule fluorescence and cryoEM, this study shows that CENP-A and the centromeric protein CENP-B collaborate to create dynamic and open chromatin, aiding centromeric factor binding.
- Harsh Nagpal
- , Ahmad Ali-Ahmad
- & Beat Fierz
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Article
| Open AccessThe assembly of the Mitochondrial Complex I Assembly complex uncovers a redox pathway coordination
The role that cellular bioenergetics plays in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease is poorly understood. Here the authors describe structures of key OXPHOS assembly proteins, providing insights into how these pathways are interlinked and regulated.
- Lindsay McGregor
- , Samira Acajjaoui
- & Montserrat Soler-Lopez
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Article
| Open AccessA unified Watson-Crick geometry drives transcription of six-letter expanded DNA alphabets by E. coli RNA polymerase
Here the authors present the structural mechanism of recognition of unnatural nucleobases in a six-letter expanded genetic system by E. coli RNA polymerase, and provide structural evidence for tautomerization during transcription.
- Juntaek Oh
- , Zelin Shan
- & Dong Wang
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Article
| Open AccessStructure and activation mechanism of the Makes caterpillars floppy 1 toxin
The bacterial toxin Makes caterpillars floppy 1 promotes apoptosis in insects. Combining single-particle cryo-EM and biochemistry, the authors determined the molecular architecture of the toxin and revealed its autoproteolytic activation mechanism.
- Alexander Belyy
- , Philipp Heilen
- & Stefan Raunser
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Article
| Open AccessConformational plasticity of RAS Q61 family of neoepitopes results in distinct features for targeted recognition
The authors use an integrative structural biology approach to elucidate molecular features of the RAS Q61 family of public tumor antigens. This information can be used to develop targeted therapeutics to combat a range of cancers.
- Andrew C. McShan
- , David Flores-Solis
- & Nikolaos G. Sgourakis