Research articles

Loss of small GTPase RAC1 suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis caused by APC loss, but impacts normal intestinal homeostasis. Here, the authors provide an alternative method of reducing RAC1 activity by the combined targeting of three RAC-GEFs and show that this approach delays intestinal tumorigenesis without the detrimental effects on normal intestinal architecture.

Recent observations of missing odd Shapiro steps have been interpreted in the context of topological superconductivity. Here, the authors observe missing odd Shapiro steps in topologically trivial Josephson junctions due to high transparency of the junctions, calling for caution in relationship to topological superconductivity.

Centrosome clustering is a promising therapeutic target in cancer but how it is regulated remains unclear. Here, the authors show that in response to DNA damage, ATM/ATR stabilize the centrosome clustering regulator KIFC1 leading to increased clustering efficiency and tumour recurrence.

SARS-CoV-2 induces mild infection in ferret model. Here, Ryan et al. characterise optimal infection dosage inducing upper respiratory tract (UTR) viral shedding, progression time of viral shedding, and pathology in ferrets and finally provide evidence for protection after re-challenge.

Mitochondrial oxidation-induced cell death is an important physiological process activated by cancer therapeutics, but its investigation is challenging. Here, the authors report a multifunctional iridium(III) photosensitiser, Ir-OA, able to induce mitochondrial oxidative stress and monitor the corresponding changes in mitochondrial properties.

The SOX2 pioneer transcription factor performs critical roles in pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. Here the authors show that SOX2’s two nuclear localization signal sequences form a contiguous binding interface on the nuclear import receptor importin-α3, and provide a structural basis for the preference of SOX2 binding to IMPα3.

COVID-19 diagnosis is commonly performed by PCR testing, however, serologic methods are more accurate and versatile for monitoring disease burden and epidemiology. Here the authors report a protein microarray with antigens from SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV as well as common human respiratory viruses.

Age is one of the strongest risk factors for severe illness from COVID-19. By integrating human lung transcriptomes with experimental data on SARS-CoV-2, the authors pinpoint specific age-associated factors that could contribute to the heightened severity of COVID-19 in older populations.

Influencer networks include a small set of highly-connected nodes and can reach synchrony only via strong node interaction. Tönjes et al. show that introducing an optimal amount of noise enhances synchronization of such networks, which may be relevant for neuroscience or opinion dynamics applications.

Computational catalysis would strongly benefit from general descriptors applicable for predicting adsorption energetics. Here the authors propose a machine-learning approach for adsorption energy predictions based on learning the relevant descriptors in a surface atom's density of states as part of the training.

Citrullination of arginine is crucial for several physiological processes. Here the authors report the site-specific incorporation of citrulline into proteins in mammalian cells using an engineered tRNA synthetase/tRNA pair and a photocaged-citrulline.

ZEB2 transcription factor is increased in a subset of cardiomyocytes during stress to induce cardioprotective effects after injury. Here the authors show that therapeutic delivery of ZEB2 prevents cardiac dysfunction after ischemic damage and promotes the activation of pro-angiogenic signals.

Current histone microarrays cannot be used to directly study the transient interactions of histone deacetylases (HDACs). Here, the authors show that hydroxamic acid-modified microarrays can capture HDACs, provide insights into their substrate specificity, and serve to develop peptide inhibitors.

Some algae produce compounds called alkenones that can reconstruct sea surface temperature through geological time, but in high latitudes unknown species complicate use of this proxy. Here the authors find a lineage of sea ice algae that produces alkenones and can be used as a paleo-sensor for sea ice abundance.

The practical application of aqueous alkaline battery is confined by limited choice of anode. Here, the authors demonstrate an oxygen-rich interface induced reversible Sb stripping/plating chemistry that provides a promising Sb metal anode with fast reaction kinetics and favourable stability.

TARM1 is a LILR family member that drives cell signalling via interactions with FcRγ. Here the authors show that TARM1 binds collagens to activate dendritic cells and thereby is an effector of inflammatory arthritis, plus provide a soluble TARM-Fc fusion protein that can limit collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

Non-resonant lasers have many advantages since the allow for a diverse set of architectures and gain media, but their application is limited due to their low directionality and efficiency. Here, the authors present a scattering cavity laser with a single hole to achieve efficient and directional emission.

The pachytene piRNA loci are transcribed by RNA polymerase II in the male germline of placental mammals. Here the authors show that a long first exon or a long unspliced transcript correlates with germline-specific production of piRNA precursor transcripts and mature piRNAs.

Multi-emulsion droplets may lead to improved designs of soft materials or drug formulations. Tiribocchi et al. show that in typical situations expected during microfluidic post-processing, the dynamical distribution of emulsified droplets is dictated by the internal vortices of the host droplet.

Designing efficient light-emitting components without utilizing intricate back-end circuits remains a challenge. Here the authors present three-phase electric power driven electroluminescent devices capable to realize pixel units, interactive rewritable displays and to drive organic light-emitting devices with red, green and blue-emitting pixels.