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Ultraviolet light damages DNA and drives skin cancer. Here, the authors show that the DNA replication factor And-1 coordinates with DNA polymerase δ to repair UV-induced lesions, and that loss of And-1 phosphorylation impairs repair and promotes skin tumorigenesis.

Immune check point therapies have not been successful for prostate cancers, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here the authors show that a transcription factor, YY1, may promote the SUMOylation and stability of HIF-1α to suppress anti-tumor immunity, while targeting YY1 helps improve tumor control, in mouse prostate cancer models.

Samples from 19 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with a combination of chemotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade are profiled with single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to identify factors associated with treatment resistance.

While most broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAb) against Influenza virus target conserved conformational epitopes of the glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA), Sun et al. characterize a lineage of bnAbs that neutralize group 1 and 2 strains. Structural characterization shows that antibody 28-12 binds a continuous epitope within H3 (group 2) but requires a conformational epitope for H1 (group 1) binding. Comparison of germline-reverted Ab and intermediate mutants provides evidence for an evolutionary adaptation from group 2 to group 1 strain.

A broad-range human antibody with neutralizing activity against various coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, targets a unique epitope within the highly conserved S2’ site and the fusion peptide of the spike protein that is exposed during interaction with the host cell. The pan-coronavirus antibody protects mice against infection with SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 following prophylactic and therapeutic treatment.

The RAD51 recombinase plays a pivotal role in replication fork reversal during replication stress. Here, the authors show that the GCFC domain-containing protein TFIP11 interacts with BLM helicase and is important for fork reversal during replication stress to preserve genome stability.

Precise control over the characteristics of crystalline conjugated polymers is essential for organic electronic, but this is complex. Here, the authors report a molecular dipole orienting strategy for preparation of single-crystal thin films with high transistor mobility.

The synthesis of fully π-conjugated, pentagon-embedded non-alternant carbon nanobelts is realized using an iterative Diels–Alder reaction followed by deoxygenative aromatization. Compared with all-benzenoid alternant counterparts, these carbon nanobelts have smaller band gaps, stronger red emission and more effective π-conjugation.

A paper-based assay leveraging nucleic acid strand-displacement reactions and the enzymatic amplification of the recognition of viral RNA at the single-nucleotide level allows for the rapid colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

A high-quality draft genome assembly of Musa balbisiana (the banana B-genome) is reported. Comparative genomic and gene functional analyses provide insights into the subgenome evolution and functional divergence between the A- and B-subgenomes.

Allergic asthma is episodic and associated with seasonal changes which may have links with UV exposure levels. Here the authors propose a link between UVB exposure and ILC2 function through α-MSH released from the pituitary gland which accumulates in the serum and alters ILC2 function through the MC5R receptor.

Northern China contains some of the world’s earliest farming societies. Here, authors use 55 ancient genomes to trace the genetic history of human migrations across northern China for the last 7500 years, and document genetic changes mirroring shifts in subsistence strategy.

Release of the zero-COVID policy in China in late 2022 led to two large Omicron-driven waves of infection in 2023. Here, the authors analyze virus genomes and serology data from before and after the two waves and describe changes in virus lineage distribution and age-specific antibody responses.

Exploring low-cost, efficient catalysts to replace platinum is crucial for electrocatalytic hydrogen generation. Here, the authors report a termination-acidity strategy that boosts the activity of molybdenum carbides, achieving a low overpotential and sustaining hydrogen generation for over 200 h.

Aberrant EGFR activation is commonly found in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here the authors show that E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXL2 targets EGFR and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant mutants for proteasome-mediated degradation to inhibit EGFR-driven NSCLC growth and TKI resistance.

ZrCo, a promising hydrogen isotope storage material, has poor cyclic storage capacity. Here author reveal a defect-derived disproportionation mechanism and report a nano-single-crystal strategy to comprehensively improve performances.

Several models have been proposed to explain the emergence of sex chromosomes. Here, through comparative genomics and mutant analysis, Harkess et al. show that linked but separate genes on the Y chromosome are responsible for sex determination in Asparagus, supporting a two-gene model for sex chromosome evolution.

Structural analysis of the Pepper aptamer in complex with its cognate HBC or HBC-like color variants reveals that it binds fluorophore molecules via one non-G-quadruplex base quadruple and one noncanonical G·U base pair.

Ningli Wang, Tin Aung and colleagues report genome-wide association analyses for primary angle closure glaucoma, a major cause of blindness worldwide. They identify three loci newly associated with this disease.

Tree peony (Paeonia ostii) has the largest chromosome of any sequenced plants to date. Here, the authors assemble its genome and reveal the association of a list of candidate genes with fatty acid biosynthesis and the possible contribution of transposon and histone expansion to maintain the giga-chromosomes.

Subcellular Zn²⁺ compartmentalisation is essential for cell biology. Here the authors make a turn-on fluorescent Zn²⁺ probe that localises to multiple organelles, and correlate its location using organelle morphology derived from structured illumination microscopy.

The transcriptomes of seven major organs across developmental stages from several mammalian species are used for comparative analyses of gene expression and evolution across organ development.

T cells play a critical role in intestinal homeostasis, with increasing evidence suggesting a role for the microbiome metabolome in modulating this response. Here the authors show short-chain fatty acids promote IL-10 production in Th1 cells.

The tumour suppressor p53 can mediate both cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Apak binds and acetylates p53 by recruiting KAP-1 and HDAC1 to specifically suppress p53 regulated pro-apoptotic genes. Stress-induced phosphorylation of Apak by ATM relieves this inhibition.

Benzofluorene-containing angucyclines, bacterial natural compounds with potential use as therapeutics/antibiotics, occur as dimers. Here, the authors elucidated the dimerization mechanism which turned out to work spontaneously, without enzymatic catalysis.

Reprogrammed metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. Here, Li, Zhang and colleagues describe how signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins alter cancer cell metabolism by sensing and transducing signals from the tumour environment and modulating signalling pathways, transcription factors, mitochondrial proteins and enzymes.

A series of bright fluorescent RNAs with a broad emission spectra enable live cell imaging of RNA dynamics.

Camels are essential means of transport in deserts, but we know little about the biology of these extraordinary mammals. This study reports the genome sequences of the wild and domestic bactrian camel, offering a glimpse into the camels’ genetic adaptation to harsh environments.

Chiea Chuen Khor, Tin Aung and colleagues report the results of a large genome-wide association study of primary angle closure glaucoma. They identify five new susceptibility loci and provide insights into disease pathogenesis.