Biology subjects

Hu, W.

Publications and source records attributed to Hu, W..

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Multiple Allosteric Sites Allow for Synergistic Enhancement of GPCR Signaling

Allosteric modulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is an emerging therapeutic paradigm that has proven effective, yet the cooperative action of multiple modulators remains unexplored. Here, we reveal how positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) synergistically enable extraordinary signal amplification through the D1 dopamine receptor (D1R). We developed UNC9815 and UNC10062 as enhanced D1R PAMs from the parent compound MLS6585, and then employed cryo-electron microscopy to reveal concurrent occupancy of three distinct allosteric sites by PAMs of different scaffolds, including LY3154207, BMS-A1, and our UNC compounds. Remarkably, we discovered two adjacent allosteric pockets at the transmembrane helix (TM) 1-7 interface: BMS-A1 occupies an intracellular site promoting activation through TM7 conformational shifts, while the UNC compounds complementarily stabilize the extracellular side of the interface. When combined with LY3154207, this cooperative architecture enhances dopamine potency by more than 1,000-fold. These findings elucidate the first structural blueprint for multi-site GPCR cooperativity, unlocking transformative therapeutic strategies inaccessible to orthosteric and single- site allosteric drugs.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Coordination of local and global responses in individual mouse thalamic local interneurons

Inhibitory interneurons, featuring presynaptic release sites and spiking activity in dendrites, present a puzzle in their signal organization and coordination. We investigated this in local interneurons (LINs) of the primary visual thalamus using two-photon calcium imaging in awake mice with both local and full-screen visual stimuli. Dendrites in single LINs showed consistent global responses to full-screen stimuli but varied responses to local stimuli. Dendrites from the same LIN exhibited different receptive fields that followed retinotopic progression. The similarity between dendritic and somatic responses decreased with increasing distance. Weak local stimuli could excite dendrites locally, while salient local stimuli triggered global responses. Salient global stimuli further enhanced motion selectivity, preference consistency, and peak responses. Thus, LINs leverage both local and global dendritic activation to perform spatially-organized, feature-selective, and size-dependent motion processing, providing new insights into the complexity and precision of sensory processing in the early visual system. HighlightsO_LILocal interneurons (LINs) exhibit diverse yet sharp tuning to moving stimuli. C_LIO_LIdisplay an orderly shift of receptive field centers along their dendrites. C_LIO_LIThe propagation of calcium signals under local stimuli depends on stimulus strength. C_LIO_LIFull-screen stimuli enhance motion selectivity and peak responses. C_LI

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

scRGP: Prediction of Single-cell Genetic Perturbation Transcriptional Responses based on Rank in Multiple Scenarios

Single-cell perturbation sequencing technologies (e.g., Perturb-seq, CROP-seq), which integrate CRISPR-based gene editing with single-cell transcriptome profiling, have revolutionized the analysis of transcriptomic changes induced by genetic perturbations at single-cell resolution. These technologies serve as a powerful tool for identifying key genes that inhibit tumor growth or reverse cancer cell phenotypes. However, they face two major challenges: data explosion with high experimental costs, and data complexity characterized by high dimensionality, noise, sparsity, and heterogeneity. To address these challenges, we developed the single-cell Rank-based Genetic Perturbation predictor (scRGP), the first deep learning framework leveraging gene expression rank-order information for this task. scRGP demonstrates superior performance in terms of robustness, cross-cell-line perturbation prediction, and high-throughput screening. Specifically, scRGP achieves an approximately 10-16 percentage points improvement in Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) over state-of-the-art methods (e.g., GEARS and scFoundation) for single- and double-gene perturbation predictions, while also extending prediction capability to triple-gene perturbations. Furthermore, it outperforms these methods by approximately 5-9 percentage points in cross-cell-line predictions. These advancements promise to shift the paradigm of single-cell perturbation studies from experiment-driven to computation-driven approaches, providing new support for functional genomics and precision medicine.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2025

Genomic insights into adaptation strategies and microevolutionary forces of novel non-AOA Nitrososphaeria in acid mine drainage ecosystems

The class Nitrososphaeria is best known for ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), yet deeply branching non-AOA lineages remain poorly characterized, leaving a critical gap in our understanding of the groups early evolution and ecological diversification. Herein, we recovered 44 non-AOA Nitrososphaeria metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from acid mine drainage (AMD) sediments in diverse metal mines, representing two novel genera within the family UBA164, Acidarchaeum and Thermosulfuris. A meta-analysis of 251 AMD-associated metagenomes showed that these potentially thermophilic lineages are globally distributed but typically rare, with local peaks ([~]6.6%) at sites such as Fankou. Metabolic reconstruction suggested a facultatively anaerobic, mixotrophic lifestyle capable of CO oxidation and sulfur reduction, and extensive acid- and heavy-metal resistance mediated primarily by ether-linked archaeal lipids, ion efflux systems, and enzymatic reduction. Genus-specific traits include dissimilatory sulfate reduction in Thermosulfuris and urea utilization in Acidarchaeum, illuminating distinct ecological niches for them. Population-genomic analyses reveal low homologous recombination and pervasive purifying selection in these non-AOA populations, together with local relaxation of selection and elevated diversity, the former being correlated with geochemical stressors (notably copper), pointing to long-term, geochemically driven adaptation. Overall, these findings provide insights into the biodiversity, ecophysiology, and evolutionary dynamics of non-AOA Nitrososphaeria. IMPORTANCEMembers of the class Nitrososphaeria that oxidize ammonia are central to the global nitrogen cycle, yet deep-branching lineages that lack this metabolism remain poorly explored, obscuring their early evolutionary trajectory. Here, we identify two new genera of non-ammonia-oxidizing Nitrososphaeria from acid mine drainage ecosystems and show that they recur globally in these acidic, metal-rich, oligotrophic habitats. Genomic analyses reveal adaptations for survival in harsh environments and genus-specific metabolic traits, suggesting distinct ecological strategies. Evolutionary analyses further indicate that these lineages are highly specialized, with population-genomic patterns consistent with long-term adaptation to geochemical conditions. This work sheds light on the biodiversity and evolutionary constraints of early-diverging lineages of Nitrososphaeria.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

SpaceSequest: A unified pipeline for spatial transcriptomics data analysis

BackgroundSpatial transcriptomics has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for gaining biological insights, enabling researchers to uncover intricate relationships between gene expression patterns and tissue architecture. Recent advances in the field have resulted in a variety of new platforms, including Visium, Visium HD, and Xenium from 10x Genomics, as well as GeoMx and CosMx from NanoString Technologies, which has now been acquired by the Bruker Corporation. However, the existence of diverse spatial transcriptomics platforms and various data formats poses challenges in standardizing data analysis. Thus, there remains a critical gap in the availability of a comprehensive pipeline capable of conducting end-to-end analysis that is necessary to extract biological insights from multiple spatial transcriptomics platforms. ResultsHere, we present SpaceSequest, a tailored pipeline that utilizes cutting-edge computational methodologies to conduct a thorough analysis, enabling the extraction of crucial biological insights from five major spatial transcriptomics technologies. SpaceSequest performs (1) standardized quality control and general data processing, (2) key analyses customized for each spatial platform, (3) automated cell type annotation and deconvolution, and (4) high-quality figure and analysis result generation. In addition, SpaceSequest allows for smooth integration with cellxgene VIP and Quickomics for user-friendly data access and interactive visualization. ConclusionsSpaceSequest is a unified and comprehensive pipeline designed for the analysis, visualization, and publication of spatial transcriptomics data from various platforms. The source code is available at https://github.com/interactivereport/SpaceSequest. To facilitate seamless installation and usage, we have also created a detailed Bookdown tutorial that can be accessed through https://interactivereport.github.io/SpaceSequest/tutorial/docs/index.html.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2025

PRIME: A Multi-Agent Environment for Orchestrating Dynamic Computational Workflows in Protein Engineering

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing protein engineering, yet its practical application is often hindered by a fragmented toolchain and the specialized expertise required to orchestrate complex computational workflows. To address these challenges, we have developed PRIME, an autonomous protein engineering multi-agent system. The core innovation of PRIME is dynamic workflow synthesis: it interprets high-level engineering objectives, reasons over a curated library of more than 65 validated protein tools, and autonomously constructs custom computational pathways. Crucially, by grounding every step in verifiable tool execution, PRIME mitigates the risk of model hallucination. It also automates the complete pipeline for developing specialized AI models, from data acquisition through training. In a benchmark of 213 multi-step protein engineering tasks, PRIME exhibited superior performance, successfully completing the majority of tasks where state-of-the-art, general-purpose AI agents fail. We validated its capabilities in demanding real-world applications, including the fully autonomous training of a machine learning classifier and the de novo design of a therapeutic antibody against SARS-CoV-2. By abstracting technical complexity, PRIME empowers scientists to execute sophisticated computational experiments with unprecedented flexibility, establishing a new paradigm for autonomous scientific discovery. The PRIME agent and source code will be made publicly available.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2025

Molecular architecture of OXGR1 reveals evolutionary conserved mechanisms for metabolite surveillance

The ability of cells to sense and respond to metabolic signals is fundamental to life, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolite surveillance remain incompletely understood. Here, we elucidate the structural basis of metabolite recognition by OXGR1, a GPCR that monitors key intermediates in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA). Using cryo-electron microscopy, we determined four cryo-EM structures of OXGR1 bound to -ketoglutarate (AKG), itaconate (ITA), and structural related succinate (SUC) and maleate (MA). These structures reveal a positively charged binding pocket and an extensive hydrogen-bond network critical for OXGR1 recognizing dicarboxylic acids. In addition, we identify a distinct arrangement of hydrophobic residues that modulates ligand potency and selectivity. Mutational analysis and molecular dynamics simulations further demonstrate that non-canonical micro-switch motifs, including FRY and NLxxY, are essential for ligand recognition and receptor activation. Comparative structural and evolutionary analyses indicate that these mechanisms are conserved across species, underscoring the critical role of OXGR1 in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. Together, our findings provide a mechanistic framework for metabolite sensing via OXGR1 and suggest potential strategies for therapeutic modulation of metabolic and inflammatory diseases.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Subtype-specific neutralizing antibodies promote antigenic shift during influenza virus co-infection

Reassortment between different influenza strains occurs when they co-infect the same host cell. The emergence of a reassortant virus depends on both its intrinsic fitness and extrinsic factors, including pre-existing humoral immunity. The generation of pandemic strains, such as H2N2 and H3N2, and zoonotic influenza A viruses, like H5N6, H5N8, and H7N9, in birds is suggested to be the result of extensive selection by pre-existing antibodies. To further explore the role of humoral immunity in reassortment, we generated two divergent fluorescent protein-expressing viruses and used strain-specific and cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to assess the impact of cross-immunity on reassortment. Our results indicate that all mAbs altered the genotypic diversity and significantly reduced the release of progeny virions in co-infected cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, antibody transfer studies in mice revealed protection from challenge with divergent pathogenicity profiles. Notably, selection driven by a strain-specific mAb depended on its neutralizing specificity, whereas the selection driven by broadly reactive mAbs was independent of neutralization specificity. Our findings demonstrate that pre-existing neutralizing antibodies shape reassortment and that strain-specific neutralizing antibodies promote antigenic shift during co-infection, which is not the case for broadly cross-reactive antibodies that recognize influenza viruses from different subtypes.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

ZmCRY1s interact with GL2 in a blue light dependent manner to regulate epidermal wax composition in Zea mays

Cryptochromes (CRYs) are photolyase-like blue-light / ultraviolet-A (UV-A) receptors that regulate diverse aspects of plant growth. Maize (Zea mays), a major crop often grown under high UV-B radiation, possesses four copies of CRY. However, it remains unclear whether the multiple copies of CRY in maize have evolved to improve UV tolerance or to acquire new functions. In this study, CRISPR-Cas9-engineered Zmcry mutants were used to investigate the functions of four cryptochromes (ZmCRYs) in maize. The findings revealed that ZmCRYs play a redundant role in mediating blue light signaling and in inhibiting the elongation of the mesocotyl. The results also demonstrated that ZmCRYs mediated blue light-enhanced UV-B stress tolerance in Zea mays by upregulating the expression of genes involved in UV-B stress tolerance-related metabolites such as phenylpropanoid, flavonoid, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Furthermore, blue light was found to influence both the accumulation and composition of epidermal waxes, suggesting that blue light enhances epidermal wax accumulation for UV-B stress tolerance. Additionally, it was discovered that ZmCRY1 directly interacted with GLOSSY2 (GL2) in a blue light dependent manner to mediate blue light promoted C32 aldehyde accumulation, shedding new light on the enigma of aldehyde-forming. These results highlight the critical roles of ZmCRY1s in mediating blue light regulated epidermal wax biosynthesis and UV-B tolerance in Zea mays.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Systemic translocation of S. aureus Drives Anti-CD4 Autoimmunity in Treated HIV Infection

BackgroundIn 2017, our group first demonstrated that autoimmunity contributes to HIV pathogenesis, even without autoimmune disease. This concept is now broadly recognized, exemplified by the role of autoimmunity in severe COVID-19. In people with HIV (PWH) on suppressive ART, anti-CD4 autoantibodies may impair CD4+ T cell recovery, though the mechanisms driving their production remain unclear. Building on evidence from our group and others that Staphylococcus aureus and its peptidoglycan (PGN) promote autoimmunity, we investigated their contribution to anti-CD4 IgG in HIV. MethodsPlasma from 32 ART-naive PWH, 53 ART-treated PWH, and 32 HIV-negative controls was analyzed for IgG autoantibodies and markers of S. aureus translocation using protein array, ELISA, and microarray. EcoHIV mice were injected intraperitoneally with saline, S. aureus PGN, or Bacillus subtilis PGN. PGN structures were compared by mass spectrometry. ResultsAmong 87 autoantibodies, 40% were elevated in ART-naive PWH and largely normalized by ART; however, anti-CD4 IgGs remained elevated in PWH on ART. Anti-CD4 IgG levels inversely correlated with CD4+ T cell counts in ART-treated PWH and positively with S. aureus translocation. In mice, S. aureus PGN induced anti-CD4 IgGs, reduced gut CD4+ T cells, and promoted surface IgG binding and apoptosis in CD4+ T cells. ConclusionS. aureus and its PGN translocation may drive anti-CD4 autoimmunity and hinder immune recovery in PWH on suppressive ART, highlighting S. aureus colonization as a therapeutic target and supporting the development of competitive probiotic interventions such as Bacillus subtilis.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Intestinal Epithelial C/EBPβ Deficiency Impairs Colitis-Associated Tumorigenesis by Disrupting CXCL1 /CXCL2/CXCL5-CXCR2-Mediated Neutrophil Infiltration

Dysregulated transcription factors critically link chronic inflammation to oncogenesis in colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC), but their mechanistic roles remain incompletely understood. By integrating microarray and transcriptome sequencing data from ulcerative colitis (UC), colitis-associated cancer (CAC), and colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, we identify C/EBP{beta} as a key transcriptional regulator whose elevated expression inversely correlates with survival. In azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced CAC models, intestinal epithelial C/EBP{beta} is upregulated during tumor progression, correlating with exacerbated tumor burden and neutrophil infiltration. Mice with intestinal epithelial-specific Cebpb deletion (Cebpb{Delta}IEC) show resistance to carcinogenesis, accompanied by reduced neutrophil infiltration and tumor growth. Mechanistically, C/EBP{beta} transcriptionally activates CXCR2 ligands (CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL5) to drive neutrophil recruitment. Pharmacological inhibition of CXCR2 phenocopies the anti-tumor effects of Cebpb{Delta}IEC deletion, further validating this axis as a therapeutic target. Correlation analysis in patient tissues confirms positive relationships between C/EBP{beta}, CXCR2 ligands, and neutrophil infiltration, suggesting that targeting the C/EBP{beta}-CXCL1/2/5-CXCR2 axis may offer a novel strategy for CAC treatment.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Spatial isoform sequencing at sub-micrometer single-cell resolution reveals novel patterns of spatial isoform variability in brain cell types

Spatial long-read technologies are becoming increasingly common but lack nanometer and therefore often single-cell resolution. This leaves the question unanswered of whether spatially variable isoforms represent spatial variability within one cell type or differences in cell-type composition between different regions. Here, we developed Spl-ISO-Seq2 (220nm spot size and 500nm resolution), and the accompanying software packages Spl-IsoQuant-2 and Spl-IsoFind, enabling long-read sequencing using up to 500 million barcodes compared to 80,000 previously. Applying this to the adult mouse brain, we compared spatial variability by examining (a) differential isoform abundance between known brain regions and (b) spatial isoform patterns that do not align with predefined regions. While the former revealed more spatial isoform differences, both approaches identified overlapping hits, e.g., Rps24 in oligodendrocytes. For Snap25, previously known to exhibit spatial isoform variation, we now show that this variability occurs in excitatory neurons. The second approach also uncovered patterns not captured by predefined-region comparisons, e.g., Tnnc1 in excitatory neurons. Furthermore, we show that a surprising number of spatial isoform signals is not driven by cell-type composition alone. Finally, we applied our software to newly generated Visium HD 3 long-read data to demonstrate its applicability and strong reproducibility across protocols and biological replicates. Taken together, our experimental and analytical methods enrich spatial transcriptomics with a so-far elusive isoform view of spatial variation for individual cell types.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Highly accurate protein structure prediction-based virtual docking pipeline accelerating the identification of anti-schistosomal compounds

Schistosomiasis is a major neglected tropical disease that lacks an effective vaccine and faces increasing challenges from praziquantel resistance, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutics. Target-based drug discovery (TBDD) is a powerful strategy for drug development. In this study, we utilized AlphaFold to predict the structures of target proteins from Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum, followed by virtual molecular screening to identify potential inhibitors. Among 202 potential therapeutic targets, we identified 37 proteins with high-accuracy structural predictions suitable for molecular docking with 14,600 compounds. This screening yielded 268 candidate compounds, which were further evaluated in vitro for activity against both adult and juvenile S. mansoni and S. japonicum. Seven compounds exhibited strong anti-schistosomal activity, with HY-B2171A (Carubicin hydrochloride, CH) emerging as the most potent. CH was predicted to target the splicing factor U2AF65, and knockdown of its coding gene Smp_019690 resulted in a phenotype similar to CH treatment. RNA sequencing revealed that both CH treatment and Smp_019690 RNAi disrupted splicing events in the parasites. Further studies demonstrated that CH impairs parasite viability by inhibiting U2AF65 function in mRNA splicing regulation. By integrating RNAi-based target identification with structure-based virtual screening, alongside in vitro phenotypic and molecular analyses of compound-treated schistosomes, our study provides a comprehensive framework for anti-schistosomal drug discovery and identifies promising candidates for further preclinical development. Author SummarySchistosomiasis is a debilitating disease caused by parasitic worms and affects over 230 million people worldwide. For decades, control of the disease has relied on a single drug, praziquantel, which is less effective against juvenile parasites and increasingly threatened by the risk of drug resistance. To accelerate the discovery of new treatments, we integrated advanced computational tools with molecular validation. Using AlphaFold-predicted structures of 37 key schistosome proteins, we performed large-scale virtual screening to identify promising drug candidates. Over 200 compounds were prioritized for phenotypic screening on two major human-infective schistosome species, leading to the discovery of seven with potent anti-parasitic activity. Among them, Carubicin hydrochloride showed strong efficacy by targeting a critical splicing factor, U2AF65. Inhibiting this protein--either chemically or through gene silencing-- disrupted parasite movement, suppressed cell proliferation, and altered splicing events. Our work highlights the power of integrating AI-based protein modeling with phenotypic and mechanistic validation to accelerate drug discovery for neglected tropical diseases like schistosomiasis.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2025

The anaerobic WOR-3 Bacteria: Hydrogenotrophic metabolism and unique carbon fixation via Archaeal form III RuBisCO

The uncultured WOR-3 phylum is widely distributed in anaerobic environments, including hot springs, marine ecosystems, and hydrothermal vents, yet its ecological roles and metabolic capabilities remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed 180 medium- to high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), including 59 newly reconstructed from environmental samples and 121 retrieved from the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB). Phylogenetic analyses resolved the WOR-3 lineage into four subgroups (subgroup 1-4). Metabolic reconstruction revealed significant divergence of the carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and hydrogen metabolism pathways among the different subgroups. Subgroup 1 was characterized by fermentative metabolism involving formate and ethanol, and uniquely exhibited potential for carbon fixation via Calvin cycle, as indicated by the presence of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) gene. Notably, WOR-3 RuBisCO is phylogenetically affiliated with archaeal form III, although the carbon fixation pathway follows the canonical bacterial Calvin cycle--a feature of potential evolutionary significance. Subgroup 3 exhibits metabolic versatility, including genes for dissimilatory sulfate reduction, sulfur oxidation, partial denitrification, and fatty acid degradation. In addition, all subgroups harbored key components of hydrogen metabolism, including widespread NiFe hydrogenases and Rnf complexes, supporting H2-dependent electron transfer and energy conservation under anaerobic conditions. Featuring near-universal presence of complexes I and II and frequent occurrence of terminal oxidases (cydAB and coxABC)--suggests a facultative anaerobic lifestyle. Collectively, this study expands the genomic framework for the WOR-3 phylum and provides novel insights into the metabolic versatility and ecological functions of this previously uncharacterized lineage in biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur. IMPORTANCEThe WOR-3 phylum represents a widespread but poorly understood bacterial lineage inhabiting diverse anaerobic/microaerobic environments. By integrating 180 metagenome-assembled genomes, including 59 newly reconstructed, this study provides the most comprehensive genomic framework to date for WOR-3. Phylogenomic and metabolic analyses revealed four distinct subgroups with divergent capacities for carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen metabolism. Notably, subgroup 1 encodes a complete Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle featuring an archaeal-type form III RuBisCO, suggesting an unusual evolutionary trajectory for carbon fixation in this lineage. Subgroup 3 exhibits versatile metabolic potential, including dissimilatory sulfur metabolism, partial denitrification, and fatty acid degradation, highlighting its possible roles in multiple biogeochemical processes. The widespread presence of hydrogenases and respiratory complexes across all subgroups supports energy conservation under anaerobic or microaerobic conditions. These findings not only expand the taxonomic and functional landscape of the WOR-3 phylum but also offer key insights into its ecological roles in global element cycling.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

A spatial long-read approach at near-single-cell resolution reveals developmental regulation of splicing and polyadenylation sites in distinct cortical layers and cell types.

Genome-wide single-cell and spatial long-read approaches have gained traction, but mostly lack single-cell resolution - and yield limited read lengths. Here, we introduce spatial ISOform sequencing (Spl-ISO-Seq), which reveals exons and polyadenylation sites from long reads with near-single-cell resolution. Spl-ISO-Seq selects long cDNAs and doubles to triples read lengths compared to standard preparations. Adding a highly specific software tool (Spl-ISOquant) and comparing human post-mortem pre-puberty samples of the visual cortex (8-11 years) to post-puberty samples (16-19 years), we find that cortical layers harbor stronger splicing and poly(A)-site regulation than the adjacent white matter, with enrichment of multiple protein-domain types. For oligodendrocytes however, developmental splicing changes are stronger in white matter. Among cortical layers, layer 4 has the most developmental changes in alternative-exon inclusion in excitatory neurons and in poly(A) sites. We also find many repeat elements, especially ERV1 long terminal repeats downstream of developmentally-regulated layer 4 exons. Overall, alternative splicing changes are linked to synapses - specifically at the post-synapse. Age-linked splicing changes in layers 1-3 and 4 are associated with autism spectrum disorder but not with schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimers disease. These results root developmental splicing changes during puberty and the resulting protein changes in specific layers and cell types. More generally, our new technologies enable new observations for any complex tissue.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen identifies host factors essential for Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 replication

Bovine Parainfluenza Virus Type 3 (BPIV3) is a leading cause of respiratory illness in cattle and a primary component of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex (BRDC), resulting in significant economic losses. Understanding the mechanisms of BPIV3 infection, particularly the entry process, is essential for developing effective control measures. Identifying specific host factors that viruses exploit during their life cycle can reveal critical vulnerabilities for potential antiviral targets. We established a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 knockout screen in bovine cells to identify host factors involved in viral infections. Our screen identified several key host factors required for BPIV3 infection, including the sialic acid transporter SLC35A1 and the protein LSM12. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that these factors play critical roles at distinct stages of the BPIV3 entry process. These findings not only advance our understanding of how BPIV3 infects host cells, but also identify potential host targets for inhibiting infection and developing novel antiviral strategies.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Metabolic and ribosomal dysregulation drive developmental arrest of Schistosoma japonicum in non-permissive rats

Parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma infect a wide range of definitive hosts, which are categorized as permissive or non-permissive based on their capacity to support parasite development. Unlike permissive hosts such as mice, Schistosoma japonicum undergoes pronounced developmental arrest in non-permissive hosts like rats; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain largely unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive morphological and transcriptomic comparison of S. japonicum derived from mouse and rat hosts at multiple time points post-infection, identifying the period between 12 and 24 days post-infection (dpi) as a critical window for developmental arrest in parasites from rats. Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing, we constructed a high-resolution cellular atlas of S. japonicum at 14 and 24 dpi from both host species, revealing host-dependent alterations in cell composition and transcriptional programs during parasite development. Functional analyses further demonstrated that impairments in mitochondrial function and anaerobic glycolysis contribute to the developmental arrest observed in parasites from rats. Additionally, downregulation of ribosomal genes was associated with reduced protein synthesis and impaired cell proliferation. Together, these findings suggest that disruptions in energy metabolism and ribosomal function are key drivers of developmental arrest in non-permissive hosts. This study provides novel, parasite-centered insights into host permissiveness and identifies potential molecular targets for schistosomiasis control strategies.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2025

CompBioAgent: an LLM-powered agent for single-cell RNA-seq data exploration

AO_SCPLOWBSTRACTC_SCPLOWAdvancements in high-throughput biological technologies, particularly single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), have generated vast amounts of complex data that offer valuable insights into gene expression, cellular behavior, and disease mechanisms. However, the analysis of such data often requires specialized computational skills and expertise, which can pose a barrier to many researchers. To address this challenge, we developed CompBioAgent, a user-friendly web application designed to democratize access to bioinformatics resources, powered by Large Language Models (LLMs). By integrating with the CellDepot, CompBioAgent allows users to easily query and explore gene expression data related to various diseases, cell types, and experimental conditions. Moreover, the tool employs Cellxgene Visualization In Plugin (Cellxgene VIP) platform to generate a range of intuitive visualizations, including violin plots, UMAP embeddings, heatmaps, etc. With its natural language interface, CompBioAgent automatically converts scientific queries into structured data requests and returns the plot of interest, enabling seamless exploration of biological data without the need for programming expertise. Such integration enhances the ability of researchers to visualize complex biological insights and identify key patterns, making high-level data analysis more accessible and efficient. A demo website and a list of examples are available at https://celldepot.bxgenomics.com/compbioagent, and the source code is released at https://github.com/interactivereport/compbioagent.

bioinformatics↗