Biology subjects

Li, Z.

Publications and source records attributed to Li, Z..

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Engineering a Biomimetic Multiphasic Suture Anchor System for Enhanced Rotator Cuff Enthesis Regeneration

Conventional suture anchor methods in rotator cuff repair often fail to replicate the native tendon-to-bone interface, leading to re-tears due to stress concentrations and poor biological integration at anchor sites. To address these challenges, we engineered a biomimetic multiphasic scaffold system (BMS) that integrates with standard suture anchors and deliver spatially organized structural and biological cues to enhance enthesis regeneration. The BMS comprises three distinct phases: aligned nanofibrous decellularized bovine Achilles tendon extracellular matrix (dECM) with stiff methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) for tendon regeneration; nonaligned nanofibrous dECM with soft MeHA for fibrocartilage formation; and a porous, citrate-based composite scaffold with bioactive glass for bone integration. In vitro, the BMS facilitated zone-specific tenogenic, fibrochondrogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation. Further, in vivo, it promoted successful integrative healing, forming distinct tendon, fibrocartilage, and bone regions at the repair site. This advanced multiphasic scaffold replicates native tissue properties, offering a promising strategy to improve rotator cuff repair. Its integration with conventional suture anchors provides an innovative design that enhances mechanical fixation and guides enthesis healing to reduce re-tear rates. Broadly, this platform offers a versatile solution for biointegrative repair strategies across complex soft-to-hard tissue interfaces.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

Epstein-Barr Virus Encoded lncRNAs Control the Viral Lytic Switch

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) uses a biphasic lifecycle, switching between latent and lytic phases to persistently infect most adults. Latency is observed in most tumor cells of the 200,000 EBV-associated cancers/year. EBV reactivation is increasingly implicated in autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis. However, mechanisms that regulate EBV reactivation have remained incompletely understood. Here, we leveraged multi-omic approaches to reveal the existence of pro-latency and a pro-lytic viral long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that counter-regulate the lytic switch. Known reactivation triggers rapidly induced expression of the pro-lytic lncRNA, which encodes an RNA G-quadruplex that mediated its interaction with CTCF. The pro-lytic lncRNA occupies viral origin of lytic replication enhancers and promotes their looping to the immediate early lytic promoter to trigger reactivation. The pro-latency lncRNA duplexes with the pro-lytic RNA to impede its interactions with CTCF. These studies lay a foundation for therapeutic approaches to manipulate the EBV lytic switch.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

HGS+ enlarged vesicular compartment serves as site for coronavirus assembly at later infection stage

The precise site of coronavirus assembly remains poorly characterized. In this study, we observed that coronavirus infection induces the host factor hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (HGS) to form distinct HGS enlarged vesicular compartments at later infection stage. Confocal and live-cell super-resolution microscopy showed that viral structural proteins colocalize with these HGS enlarged vesicular compartments. Correspondingly, APEX2-based electron microscopy (APEX2-EM) and immuno-EM analyses confirmed the presence of assembled virions within these unique HGS compartments, identifying them as sites of virion assembly. This was further supported by cryogenic correlated light and electron microscopy (cryo-CLEM), which captured ongoing virion formation occurring within HGS enlarged vesicles. Crucially, whole cell volume EM revealed that HGS deficiency abolishes these vesicular compartments and markedly reduces assembled virions. Lastly, we demonstrated that HGS vesicular compartments are rearranged from Golgi and endosome/lysosome by coronavirus infection. Together, these findings establish that coronavirus-induced HGS vesicular compartments function as essential platforms for virion assembly at later infection stage.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Integrated multi-omic and functional evidence uncover substantial strain-specific divergence in zebrafish

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a foundational vertebrate model in biomedical and developmental research, yet genetic divergence among laboratory strains remains an underappreciated source of biological and experimental variation. Among these, the AB and Tubingen (TU) strains are used globally, forming the basis for most zebrafish-based discoveries. Here, we integrated long- and short-read sequencing, ATAC-seq, Hi-C, transcriptomics, and functional assays to generate a comprehensive multi-omic comparison of these two strains. Our analyses revealed substantial genomic and regulatory divergence, including a 62-bp insertion in the asmt promoter that elevates transcription and alters melatonin biosynthesis, driving strain-specific circadian phenotypes. We also identify a non-synonymous variant (mybbp1aG2612C) associated with heightened immune responsiveness. Together, these findings construct the first genome-wide atlas of functional variation between zebrafish strains, illuminating how hidden genetic differences can shape phenotype, regulatory architecture, and experimental reproducibility in this essential vertebrate model.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

CellBin:a generalist framework to process spatial omics data to cell level

Spatial omics has rapidly expanded with increasingly diverse imaging modalities, molecular targets, and chip sizes. However, no general framework currently exists to construct cell level matrices that are robust across platforms and omics types. Here we present CellBin, a universal and scalable frame-work that unifies image stitching, cell segmentation, and spot-to-cell mapping for multiple spatial omics technologies. CellBin integrates a multi-field weighted stitching algorithm for large-area images, a family of U-Net-based models trained across diverse staining modalities, and an optimized computational architecture for high-throughput processing. Across five technological platforms and three omics data types, CellBin achieves robust segmentation and accurate single-cell matrix construction, consistently outperforming seven state-of-the-art methods in F1-score, cell size precision, and annotation accuracy. By providing a generalizable, cross-platform solution, CellBin bridges multiple spatial omics, enabling unified, high-resolution cell level analyses across technologies.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2025

PIWIL3-piRNA Pathway Is Essential for Rabbit Oogenesis and Embryogenesis via Broad Regulation of the Transcriptome and Proteome

Female infertility represents a significant challenge in reproductive medicine. Although it is known to be primarily due to oogenic and early embryonic failures, the molecular mechanisms underlying these failures remain elusive. The Piwi-piRNA pathway is crucial for gametogenesis in diverse organisms. Yet, its role in mammalian female fertility is unclear. This is partly because most studies are done in mice, which contain only PIWIL1, PIWIL2, and PIWIL4 that are essential for spermatogenesis but not for oogenesis. PIWIL3 emerges in higher mammals and is highly expressed in human oocytes. Interestingly, female PIWIL3-knockout golden hamsters exhibit only reduced fertility without detectable defects in oogenesis. This has left the function of PIWIL3 in higher mammals, including humans, unexplored. Here, we discovered that PIWIL3 in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) shares high homology with human PIWIL3. It is the predominant PIWI protein in oocytes in both species. Using CRISPR-cas9-mediated knockout, we demonstrated that rabbit PIWIL3 is essential for female fertility. Its loss leads to severe defects in oogenesis. Moreover, embryos lacking maternal PIWIL3 arrest developmentally at the 8-cell stage. Mechanistically, rabbit PIWIL3 binds [~]18-nucleotide piRNAs, mirroring the behavior of human PIWIL3, and is critical for piRNA biogenesis. Moreover, it regulates transcriptomic and proteomic landscapes and silences a broad array of transposons during late oogenesis yet activates another set of transposons during early embryogenesis. These findings establish PIWIL3 as a pivotal dual regulator of gene expression and transposon activity, which is essential for oogenesis and early embryogenesis in non-rodent mammals, potentially including humans.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Immunometabolic determinants of long-term response in leukemia patients receiving CD19 CAR T cell therapy

Although most patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) receiving CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy achieve remission, loss of CAR T cell functionality and subsequent relapse remains an unmet therapeutic need. We applied an integrative approach to study the immunometabolism of pre- and post-infusion CD19-CAR T cells of patients with relapsed/refractory B-ALL. Pre-infusion CAR T cells of long-term responders (LTR) had increased oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid oxidation, and pentose phosphate pathway activities, higher mitochondrial mass, tighter cristae, and lower mTOR expression compared to products of short-term responders. Post-infusion CAR T cells in bone marrow (BM) of LTR had high immunometabolic plasticity and mTOR-pS6 expression supported by the BM microenvironment. Transient inhibition of mTOR during manufacture induced metabolic reprogramming and enhanced anti-tumor activity of CAR T cells. Our findings provide insight into immunometabolic determinants of long-term response and suggest a therapeutic strategy to improve long-term remission.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Graph-based tracing of dynamically functioning gene circuits in cell fate decisions with isoform resolution

Transcription factor (TF) regulatory networks govern complex cellular processes, yet their inference from single-cell transcriptomes is hindered by TFs low abundance, tissue-specific functions, and isoform diversity. We evaluated the utility of transcription factor activity (TFA) to infer TF-TF interactions, demonstrating its superiority over expression-based methods in capturing tissue-specific, high-fidelity regulatory relationships. Using simulated and real-world transcriptomes across human hematopoiesis and early embryonic development, we validated TFAs ability to render regulatory relationships. Through utilizing the concept of propagated regulome, we uncovered TFAs utility in retrospectively resolving dynamic regulatory circuits. To address regulome limitations, we developed an embryonic stem cell-specific Consensus REgulome Database (CRED) with isoform resolution, revealing functional heterogeneity among TF isoforms. Applied to human preimplantation single-cell datasets, CRED outperformed existing regulomes, identifying isoform-specific regulators and tracing regulatory modules despite severe dropouts. Our work unleashes TFA as a robust tool for reconstructing TF networks and highlights the importance of transited, isoform-level, cell-type-specific analysis in unraveling transcriptional regulatory circuits. HighlightsO_LITFA (Transcription Factor Activity) renders regulatory relationships with high fidelity compared to expression. C_LIO_LIUsing transited regulons enables TFA to retrospectively resolve dynamic regulatory interactions in cell fate decisions. C_LIO_LIAn integrated ESC-specific transited regulome database reveals isoform-level heterogeneity. C_LIO_LITFA successfully identifies key TF regulatory modules during human preimplantation from datasets with severe dropout. C_LI

systems biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Pan-cancer analysis reveals that tumor microbiomes generate specific epitopes through transcriptional reprogramming

The therapeutic promise of tumor microbial peptides faces a critical safety paradox: tumors and peritumor tissues harbor compositionally similar microbiomes, yet safe immunotherapy demands tumor-specific targeting. We performed comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of microbial communities from 1,868 tumor and peritumor samples across 11 cancer types. Although 88.5% of microbial species are present in both tissue types, tumor and peritumor tissues exhibit profound transcriptional divergence: only 34.1% of microbial genes are expressed in both tissue types, and merely 18.2% of predicted HLA-binding peptides overlap. This transcriptional divergence represents microbial transcriptional reprogramming (MTR) in tumor tissues, through which microbes activate distinct genomic regions while adapting to tumor microenvironmental pressures, thereby generating tumor-specific peptide repertoires. Using Microbial Transcriptional Reprogramming Index (MiTRI) to quantify MTR, we found that higher MiTRI values correlate with expanded immunogenic peptide repertoires. Mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics confirmed that 25% of naturally presented microbial peptides originate from MTR regions. Crucially, in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer, neo-adjuvant therapy responders exhibited significantly higher MiTRI values. T cell receptors (TCRs) recognized MTR-derived epitopes at 2.10-fold higher rates than genome-wide epitopes, accounting for 79.1% of clonally expanded TCRs. These findings establish MTR as the principle that ensures the tumor-specificity and safety of micorbiome-directed immunotherapy.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Genomic signatures associated with convergent funnel-web building behavior in spiders

Spiders exhibited diverse and intricate web-building behaviors, which represent a classic model for studying the evolution of complex traits. The funnel-web, a sheet-like web with a retreat tube, has evolved independently in several spider lineages, especially in the families Agelenidae and Macrothelidae. This repeated emergence of a complex behavior offers an example of this funnel-web building behavioral convergence. Here, we present a chromosome-level genome assembly of the agelenid spider Tamgrinia laticeps, along with annotated genomes of another agelenid spider Eratigena atrica, and a macrothelid Orientothele yani which convergently evolved funnel-web building behavior. Comparative genomic analysis of 15 spider species with diverse web-types revealed convergent signatures associated with funnel-web construction. Hundreds of genes tended to experience convergent shift in selective pressure, convergent positive section, and harbored convergent amino acid substitutions. These genes are associated with synaptic transmission (e.g., SLC6A3, Gabbr1, SNAP25), neuromuscular coordination (e.g., ine, VAChT), and behavioral regulation (e.g., Crtc1, Lrrc7). Notably, we detected identical convergent amino acid changes in VAChT and ine across all three funnel-web builders. Our findings demonstrate that convergent evolution of web architecture is linked to nervous system evolution, providing genomic insights into the basis of behavioral convergence.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2025

Combinatorial metabolic engineering of alkane biosynthesis in the osmotolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii CBS 767

Debaryomyces hansenii is a promising yeast with diverse potential applications, one of which is producing oleochemicals from inexpensive biomass. Yet, combinatorial metabolic engineering in D. hansenii is not possible because, like many nonconventional organisms, key genomic data and genetic elements are missing. Here, we report phenotypic characterization, genomic integration loci, and modular genetic parts that together enable combinatorial metabolic engineering of an alkane pathway in D. hansenii. Phenotypic characterization revealed that D. hansenii produces lipids when grown on components of lignocellulosic and algal biomass in standard and saline media. Notably, D. hansenii produced 57.25% more lipids than Yarrowia lipolytica Po1f when grown on glucose. We designed genomic integration loci and derived gene expression elements from a resequenced D. hansenii CBS767 genome. While characterizing the integration sites, we also optimized the transformation procedure, validated selection markers, and determined fluorescent reporters. Using homology to known elements in S. cerevisiae, we derived 23 promoters and 24 terminators and made them compatible with a modular cloning standard so pathway constructs could be made with automated liquid handling. Flow cytometry measurements show that the promoters span an expression range of three orders of magnitude and the terminators span one order of magnitude. The new part collection was used to construct a genomically integrated combinatorial library of 18 alkane biosynthesis pathways. With no other genetic modifications, the best strain produced 38 mg/L of heptadecane. This is the highest titer observed in a microbe with no other modifications besides the biosynthetic genes. Thus, this work establishes D. hansenii as a cell factory for synthesizing oleochemicals from biomass while providing a blueprint for leveraging phenotyping, genomics, modular parts collections, and automated liquid handling for making cell factories from nonconventional organisms. Furthermore, the genetic parts collection now enables functional genetics for various applications in Debaryomyces yeasts.

synthetic biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Adjacent Rare-Earth Separation via a Protein Atomic Ruler

The separation of rare-earth elements (REEs) poses a formidable challenge due to their nearly identical ionic radii and chemical properties. Here, we present a transformative strategy for REE separation using a multimetal ion-stacking metalloprotein framework (MIF) that functions as an atomic ruler, effectively amplifying subtle differences in REE ionic radii. This approach achieves exceptional selectivity, enabling the separation of all 13 adjacent REE pairs with ultrahigh purity (up to 99.999%). Remarkably, the MIF retains its lanthanide-binding capacity over 410 consecutive absorption-desorption cycles, demonstrating outstanding stability. Structural insights reveal that the MIFs densely packed REE coordination environment magnifies minute radius variations--a key mechanism underlying its unparalleled separation efficiency. Our MIF-based strategy offers a sustainable, scalable solution to rare-earth separation in industrial applications.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2025

Transplantation of active mitochondria condensed in liquid-liquid phase-separated hydrogels ameliorates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key driver of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI), which exacerbates cardiac damage following the restoration of blood flow. Although single-phase hydrogel-based mitochondria transplantation therapy (MTT) holds promise for restoring cellular energy metabolism, its effectiveness is limited by extracellular calcium-induced mitochondrial degradation. In this study, we design a thermo-sensitive hydrogel utilizing liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), composed of gelatin and polyethylene glycol (PEG), to condense freshly isolated mitochondria. Compared to conventional single-phase hydrogels, the LLPS hydrogel significantly increases the sol-gel transition temperature above physiological levels, allowing it to remain injectable at body temperature while enabling rapid mitochondrial release following transplantation. More importantly, the LLPS structure enhances mitochondrial packing density and protects the activity of condensed mitochondria against calcium toxicity through spatial confinement and gelatin-mediated calcium chelation. In vitro, LLPS hydrogel-condensed mitochondria exhibit improved mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP production ability compared to those delivered via single-phase gelatin hydrogel. In vivo, mitochondria released from the LLPS hydrogel are effectively internalized by cardiomyocytes, resulting in improved cardiac function and reduced tissue damage after MIRI. These findings suggest that LLPS-based hydrogels offer a promising strategy to enhance MTT efficacy for MIRI and other mitochondria-related disorders.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

A Chemoproteomic Atlas of the Human Purine Interactome for Regioselective Ligand Discovery

Purines are essential bioactive molecules that interact with a large fraction of the human proteome. Despite their importance, the scope of actionable purine-binding pockets for ligand discovery remains limited. Here, we developed a quantitative chemoproteomics platform using sulfonyl-purine (SuPUR) chemistry to produce a massive and functional map of the human purine interactome. The SuPUR platform captured 31,000+ targetable tyrosine and lysine sites, representing the most comprehensive beyond cysteine chemoproteomics database for enabling protein ligand discovery. SuPUR ligands that bind through a regioselective fashion serve as enabling starting points for developing potent (nanomolar) and proteome-wide-selective modulators of enzymatic and protein-protein interaction function. Phenotypic screening identified a site-specific (Y237) and regioselective SuPUR ligand of ACAT2 to reveal an unexpected metabolic dependency in cancer cells. A crystal structure of SuPUR ligand-bound ACAT2 revealed the purine group binds deep in the CoA pocket forming key interactions with catalytic residues via a water bridge to guide future structure-based ligand design.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

Phylogenetic and functional characterization of Asgard primases

Eukarya resemble Archaea in DNA replication. Analysis of the DNA replication machinery of Asgard archaea may provide a valuable test of the hypothesis of this phylum being the origin of Eukarya. Among the replication proteins, primase, which comprises the catalytic subunit PriS and the noncatalytic subunit PriL, synthesizes primers for extension by DNA polymerase. Here we show that Asgard primases fall into two major groups, denoted the Heimdall group and the Loki group, which are phylogenetically and structurally more closely related to eukaryotic primases and primases from non-Asgard archaea, respectively. Notably, like human PriL, PriL of the Heimdall group possesses an extra C-terminal domain, which, absent in archaeal PriL of the non-Heimdall group, presumably serves to enhance the stability of the conserved iron-sulfur cluster in PriL. We overproduced in Escherichia coli and purified the PriS and PriL subunits of the Heimdall group from the Candidatus Gerdarchaeota archaeon B18_G1. Biochemical characterization reveals that the B18_G1 primase is capable of primer synthesis and extension, using preferentially dNTPs as the substrates, as shown for primases from non-Asgard archaea, but, unlike the non-Asgard archaeal primases, it produces short primers, a feature typical of eukaryotic primases. These results shed significant light on the evolutionary pathway of primase, and are consistent with the hypothesis of the Asgard origin of Eukarya.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Targeting the host factor HGS-viral membrane protein interaction in coronavirus infection

While current antivirals primarily target viral proteins, host-directed strategies remain underexplored. Here, we performed a genome-wide CRISPRi screening to identify the host protein, Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Regulated Tyrosine Kinase Substrate (HGS), as essential for the pan-coronaviruses infection both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, HGS directly interacts with the viral membrane (M) protein, facilitating its trafficking to the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) for virion assembly. Conversely, HGS deficiency caused M retention in the ER, blocking assembly. Leveraging this interaction, we designed M-derived peptides and screened over 5,000 FDA-approved drugs, identifying riboflavin tetrabutyrate (RTB). Both the peptides and RTB bind HGS and disrupt its interaction with the M protein, leading to M retention in the ER and subsequent blockade of virion assembly. These agents demonstrated broad anti-pan-coronavirus activity in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, our findings establish HGS as a druggable host target and identify RTB as a promising broad-spectrum antiviral candidate.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

Migration patterns and hybridization within the Asian stonechat complex in response to a major geographical barrier

Long-distance avian migration is thought to be under strong natural selection. Facing geographical barriers, migrants display various patterns considered to be adaptive. For example, they may detour along either side around the barrier or cross it, requiring specialized behavioral adaptations. Variations within closely related taxa are excellent sources for understanding the evolutionary background of migration and how barriers are shaping migration routes. In Asia, some species are assumed to have a migratory divide in response to the major geographical barrier, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), including the stonechat taxa (Siberian Stonechat Saxicola maurus maurus and Amur Stonechat S. stejnegeri). As they detour along either side of the QTP, these taxa are believed to disfavor a crossing over the highland. However, the more southernly distributed Tibetan Stonechat (S. m. przewalskii) breeds on the QTP, suggesting adaptation to high elevation. To investigate migration patterns and the potentially associated genetic differences, we studied migration routes and population genetics of four populations around the assumed migratory divide in Russia and Mongolia, and of one from the QTP in China. Our results confirmed the existence of a migratory divide between maurus and stejnegeri, albeit with extensive hybridization. We observed both the hypothesized western and eastern routes, but also found individuals employing intermediate routes crossing the QTP, of which two-thirds were clear hybrids. Meanwhile, przewalskii followed a highland-crossing route and was genetically differentiated from maurus and stejnegeri. The diverse migration routes among Asian stonechats show differential responses towards the geographical barrier. The intermediate route may be associated with hybridization, and its conditional viability may facilitate gene flow between maurus and stejnegeri. The Asian stonechat complex thus offers great opportunities for novel research of the genetics and evolution of migration. The specific evolutionary background associated with inhabiting and crossing the QTP can offer new perspectives in this field. Teaser textMigratory divides can arise in birds because alternative routes around migratory barriers would select for behaviors to restrict hybridization. Hybrids of parental types that employ alternative routes are hypothesized to embark on intermediate routes that would expose them to suboptimal conditions, resulting in post-zygotic reproductive isolation. However, this hypothesis is challenged when a sister taxon actually breeds on the geographical barrier. This is the case in the Asian stonechat complex that breeds near or on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), the roof of the world. We demonstrated a migratory divide in central Siberia to Mongolia for race maurus and stejnegeri, yet showed also evidence for extensive hybridization. Hybrids migrated along a newly discovered intermediate route, seemingly viable and overlaps with the migration trajectory of race przewalskii over the eastern part of the QTP. The Asian migratory divide relative to the QTP thus provided new insights to the evolution of landbird migration.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Somatic TYK2 activating mutations in tumor-infiltrating T cells promote anti-cancer immunity

Cancer cells evolve to increase fitness and evade the immune system, but it is not clear if tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) undergo selection for somatic mutations that augment anti-cancer immunity. Using single molecule whole exome sequencing in TILs, we identified somatic mutations in Tyrosine-protein kinase 2 (TYK2), several of which increased TYK2 phosphorylation, JAK-STAT signaling, and interferon gamma signaling. Among these mutations, TYK2D810V was recurrently observed in patients with diverse cancer types. In vitro, TYK2D810V enhanced T cells effector functions and cytokine production. We generated mice with a germline Tyk2D807V mutation that recapitulated the human TYK2D810Vmutation. These mice were healthy and did not develop autoimmune disorders. However, they possessed enhanced anti-tumor effects in the context of syngeneic and autochthonous cancer models. Adoptive therapy with Tyk2D807V CD8 T cells also decreased cancer growth. Thus, naturally occurring mutations in non-malignant lymphocytes can antagonize cancer and inspire new immunotherapies strategies.

cancer biology↗