Biology subjects

Deng, Q.

Publications and source records attributed to Deng, Q..

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

A linear regression model predicts human brain ageing and reveals differential neuronal biological ageing relevant for Parkinson's disease susceptibility

Biological brain ageing is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by selective degeneration of particular neuron types. We analyzed the impact of ageing on the transcriptome of neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and locus coeruleus (LC), that show differential vulnerabilities to Parkinsons disease. Neurons were isolated from human post mortem brain tissues originating from 48 individuals ranging from 17 to 102 years of age and subjected to Smart-seq2 RNA sequencing. We identified 2,764 genes that were correlated with chronological ageing. This gene expression data was used to develop a feature selection-based Time Traversal algorithm, utilizing functionally grouped gene sets, GO terms, with high predictive accuracy of biological brain ageing. We identified 59 GO terms that can predict biological age using a linear regression model, where leave-one-out cross validation demonstrated a strong correlation between chronological age and predicted biological age (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.946; adjusted R{superscript 2} = 0.771). The algorithm was validated on five independent datasets with high predictive performance, demonstrating shared ageing features across the human brain. Nonetheless, our analysis also highlights brain region and neuron type specificity in particular ageing features. Resilient neurons showed a weaker association with age-related transcriptional changes, indicating that they age slower than their vulnerable counterparts, thus revealing targets that may be used to slow down ageing and prevent disease development.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

eIF2B Selectively Anchors and Activates Mutant KRAS

Much is known about how RAS oncoproteins regulate mRNA translation factors, but the reverse relationship, how translation factors influence RAS activity, has remained largely unexplored. At the plasma membrane (PM), Son of Sevenless (SOS) acts as the canonical guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for RAS proteins, yet mechanisms governing its specificity for individual RAS isoforms remain unknown. Here, we show that the translation initiation factor eIF2B, best known for its GEF function in translation initiation, forms a distinct complex with SOS and mutant KRAS at the PM, but not with other oncogenic RAS variants. Mechanistically, eIF2B acts as an allosteric regulator of SOS, selectively enhancing GDP-GTP exchange on mutant KRAS. This specificity arises from the translational activity of eIF2B, which upregulates glycosphingolipid (GSL) biosynthesis to remodel PM lipids and preferentially anchor mutant KRAS. Together, our results uncover an unexpected moonlighting function of eIF2B: acting both as a direct activator of SOS and as a regulator of GSL pathway that shapes the membrane landscape, both required for mutant KRAS activation. These insights redefine our understanding of eIF2B and mutant KRAS functions in cancer and have profound implications for KRAS-driven oncogenesis. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=161 SRC="FIGDIR/small/686860v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (21K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1f50934org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2f55b9org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a51e39org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1634aac_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG O_LIeIF2B interacts with mutant KRAS and SOS at the plasma membrane (PM). C_LIO_LIThe eIF2B:SOS complex promotes the GTP-bound active state of mutant KRAS. C_LIO_LIeIF2B enhances the translation of B4GALT5 mRNA, encoding a key enzyme of glycosphingolipid (GSL) biosynthesis. C_LIO_LIUpregulation of the GSL metabolites, ganglioside GM3 and sulfatide SM4, remodels PM lipid composition to facilitate eIF2B:SOS:KRAS complex formation and mutant KRAS nanoclustering. C_LIO_LIThrough its interaction with SOS and stimulation of GSL synthesis, eIF2B selectively activates mutant KRAS at the PM among RAS isoforms. C_LIO_LIeIF2B is required for the development of mKRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma in mice. C_LIO_LIeIF2B is a marker of poor prognosis in mutant KRAS-driven cancers. C_LI

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Dual-Channel Event Microscopy for Ultrafast Biological Imaging

Many fundamental biological processes--spanning immune-tumor interactions, neuronal signaling, and microvascular flow--exhibit fast, multiscale dynamics among diverse cell types within three-dimensional tissue environments. Capturing such activity requires imaging systems that simultaneously achieve high temporal resolution, multicolor capability, and volumetric coverage over large fields of view (FOVs). However, existing modalities remain limited by trade-offs among imaging speed, spectral capacity, depth of field (DOF), and spatial resolution. Here, we present Dual-Channel Event Microscopy (DEM), which integrates digital micromirror device (DMD)-based pulsed illumination, extended-DOF optics, and event-based sensing for ultrafast, dual-channel volumetric imaging across a 2.3 x 1.3 mm2 FOV with an effective 200 {micro}m DOF. Using dual-color fluorescent phantoms and microsphere flow assays, DEM achieves accurate spectral separation and reconstruction of rapid motion at kilohertz frame rates. In vivo, DEM enables simultaneous visualization of neutrophils and premalignant tumors in freely swimming zebrafish. In immobilized specimens, it provides robust, sensor-level optical sectioning near the heart, suppressing diffuse background to reveal fine vascular networks and active blood circulation into and out of the cardiac chambers. DEM further enables quantitative mapping of blood-flow dynamics in the zebrafish tail, resolving arterial-venous differences and capturing heartbeat-driven oscillations that reflect cardiac pumping with high temporal fidelity. By uniting ultrafast acquisition, dual-channel capability, volumetric coverage, and intrinsic optical sectioning within a single event-driven architecture, DEM offers a powerful platform for visualizing rapid multicellular interactions and physiological dynamics in living systems.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

O-GlcNAc clusters attenuate BRD4 phase separation for transcription regulation

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate the liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) that organizes biomolecular condensates essential for transcription, yet for the monosaccharide O-GlcNAc, the general rules and their links to protein function remain undefined, with evidence largely limited to isolated cases rather than systematic analyses. Here we combine proteome-scale analyses with experiments to show that O-GlcNAc is a widespread LLPS modulator: glycosites are enriched in intrinsically disordered regions and form dense O-GlcNAc clusters. Using BRD4 as a model, we identified twelve clustered sites in its C-terminal IDR and showed that O-GlcNAc decreases condensate size while increasing fluidity in vitro and in cells. Removing O-GlcNAc strengthened BRD4 binding at active enhancers and promoted LLPS-mediated co-recruitment of transcriptional factors, including YTHDC1, leading to altered expression programs linked to the cell cycle and DNA repair. Our findings define O-GlcNAc clusters as regulators of condensate material properties and transcriptional outcomes, supporting a general paradigm in which PTMs fine-tune the molecular grammar of biomolecular condensates.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

CalciumInsights: An Open-Source, Tissue-Agnostic Graphical Interface for High-Quality Analysis of Calcium Signals

Fluctuations and propagation of cytosolic calcium levels at both the cellular and tissue levels show complex patterns, referred to as calcium signatures, that regulate growth, organ development, damage responses, and survival. The quantitative analysis of calcium signatures at the cellular level is essential for identifying unique patterns that coordinate biological processes. However, a versatile framework applicable to multiple tissue types, allowing researchers to compare, measure, and validate diverse responses and recognize conserved patterns across model organisms, is missing. Here, we present a post-processing tool, CalciumInsights, which leverages the R packages Shiny and Golem. This tool has a graphical user interface and does not require software programming experience to perform calcium signal analysis. The open-source software has a modular framework with standardized functionalities that can be tailored for various research approaches. CalciumInsights provides descriptive statistical analysis through various metrics extracted from dynamic calcium transients and oscillations, such as peak amplitude, area under the curve, frequency, among others. The tool was evaluated with fluorescence imaging data from three model organisms: Danio rerio, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Drosophila melanogaster, demonstrating its ability to analyze diverse biological responses and models. Finally, the open-source nature of CalciumInsights enables community-driven improvements and developments for enabling new applications. Author SummaryThis manuscript introduces CalciumInsights, an open-source tool for calcium signature analysis. Designed to be a versatile tool that works with various tissue types and biological systems, CalciumInsights has an easy-to-use graphical user interface. Our program simplifies metrics extraction while maintaining the quality of the analysis by integrating several algorithms. CalciumInsights stands out for its user-friendliness, ease of use, and robust data exploration features, such as tunable filters for improved accuracy. These features promote inclusivity and lower barriers to scientific research by making calcium signature analysis accessible to users of all programming skill levels.

bioengineering↗

bioRxiv2025

RABEP1 amplifies front signaling in neutrophil migration

Neutrophils are the first responders of our innate immune system, crucial for defense against various infections. The intricate regulation of neutrophil migration is essential for neutrophil function. However, a complete mechanistic understanding is missing. We performed a miRNA overexpression screen and identified miR-190 as a potent suppressor of neutrophil migration in zebrafish. Through a second round of small-scale screening using neutrophil-specific knockouts of putative miR-190 targets, we identified that rabep1 (Rabaptin-5, RAB GTPase binding effector protein 1) is essential for neutrophil motility and chemotaxis in zebrafish. Re-expressing full-length RABEP1 in the knockout, but not a truncated form lacking the Rab4/Rab5 binding domain, rescued cell motility. Knocking down RABEP1 in human dHL-60 cells consistently reduced cell motility. RABEP1-deficient dHL-60 cells accumulate excessive members inside the cells. The Rab5 GTP level is unaffected, but the RABEP1 knockdown cells displayed reduced PAK phosphorylation and overall reduced actin polymerization, but still appropriately polarized upon chemokine stimulation. Overexpression of dominant-negative Rab4 or Rab5 similarly inhibits neutrophil migration. Our data suggests that RABEP1 drives endosomal recycling, Rac activation, and leading-edge actin polymerization, providing significant insights into the role of the endocytic pathway in neutrophil motility.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Reactive Oxygen Species Counteract Wound Contraction and Promote Wound Healing

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are second messengers that drive wound closure. However, the mechanism by which ROS regulate wound contraction to facilitate wound healing remains unclear. Here, we report that ROS counteract wound contraction by inhibiting the phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain. Acute ROS inhibition, through pharmacological perturbations, disturbs wound relaxation, delays wound closure, and impairs regrowth following amputation. Moreover, actomyosin inhibition relaxes tailfin contraction without impairing wound closure or regrowth. Over-contraction, on the other hand, impedes wound closure. Meanwhile, chronic depletion of epithelial ROS during embryonic development, achieved through morpholino-mediated knockdown of the duox gene, alters tissue stiffness, as measured using atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation. Despite a reduced contraction force, the wound also appears to be over-contracted, with delayed healing and regrowth. An in silico linear elasticity simulation to calculate the second principal stress based on node-wise prescribed displacement recapitulated the contraction dynamics during acute and chronic ROS inhibition. Together, our results provide a novel understanding of how reactive oxygen species (ROS) facilitate wound closure, a process instrumental in restoring tissue integrity and maintaining homeostasis.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Hippo signalling regulates the nuclear behaviour and DNA dwell times of YAP and TEAD to control transcription

Over the past two decades, genetic and proteomic screens have enabled the discovery and elucidation of the Hippo pathway as a complex signalling network that controls tissue growth and cell fate and which is of major importance for human cancers. Despite these advances, our understanding of how Hippo signalling regulates transcription is less clear. To address this, we used live microscopy approaches to study the nuclear behaviour of the major transcription effectors of the human Hippo pathway, YAP and TEADs. Our experiments revealed that TEADs are a major determinant of YAPs nuclear biophysical behaviour, whilst YAP only has a minor influence on TEAD behaviour. Acute chemical inhibition of Hippo signalling stimulated an increase in the DNA residence time of both YAP and TEAD1. Consistently, YAP and TEAD1 bound DNA for longer periods in cells with high intrinsic YAP/TEAD activity (induced trophoblast stem cells) than in cells with low intrinsic YAP/TEAD activity (induced pluripotent stem cells). TEAD1 bound the genome on a broad range of timescales, and this is extended substantially in nuclear condensates. Finally, single molecule tracking experiments revealed that a fusion protein encoded by a cancer-associated YAP allele exhibits substantially different nuclear biophysical behaviour than either YAP or TEAD1. These live microscopy experiments reveal that Hippo signalling regulates transcription at least in part by influencing the DNA dwell times of both YAP and TEAD.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Multimodal brain cell atlas across the adult macaque lifespan

High-throughput single-cell omics of non-human primate tissues present a remarkable opportunity to study primate brain aging. Here, we introduce a transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility landscape of 1,985,317 cells from eight brain regions of 13 cynomolgus female monkeys spanning adult lifespan including exceptionally old individuals up to 29-years old. This dataset uncovers dynamic molecular changes in critical brain functions such as synaptic communication and axon myelination, exhibiting a high degree of cell type and brain region specificity. We identify the multicellular networks of the pons and medulla as a previously unrecognized hotspot for aging. Furthermore, comparative analyses with human neurodegeneration datasets highlight both shared and distinct mechanisms contributing to aging and disease. In addition, we uncover transcription factors implicated in monkey brain aging and pinpoint aging-regulated loci linked to longevity and neurodegeneration. This spatiotemporal atlas will advance our understanding of primate brain aging and its broader implications for health and disease.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels regulate membrane potential polarization and direction sensing during neutrophil chemotaxis

Potassium channels regulate membrane potential and diverse physiological processes, including cell migration. However, the specific function of the inwardly rectifying potassium channels in immune cell chemotaxis is unknown. Here, we identified that the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir7.1 (KCNJ13) maintains the resting membrane potential and is required for directional sensing during neutrophil chemotaxis. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of Kir7.1 in neutrophils impaired direction sensing toward various chemoattractants without affecting cell polarization in multiple neutrophil models. Using genetically encoded voltage indicators, we observed oscillating depolarization of the membrane potential in protrusions in zebrafish neutrophils, and Kir7.1 is required for polarized depolarization towards the chemokine source. Focal depolarization with optogenetic tools biases pseudopod selection and induces de novo protrusions. Global hyperpolarizing neutrophils stalled cell migration. Furthermore, Kir7.1 regulates GPCR signaling activation. This work adds membrane potential to the intricate feedforward mechanism, coupling the adaptive and excitable network required to steer immune cells in complex tissue environments.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Decoding human placental cellular and molecular responses to maternal obesity and fetal growth

Maternal obesity increases risk of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) births and subsequent cardiometabolic disorders in offspring. To identify placental signatures associated with these outcomes, we performed single-nucleus RNAseq on placentas from women with obesity delivering appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) or LGA infants, compared to normal-weight controls. In maternal obesity, regardless of fetal growth, syncytiotrophoblasts showed upregulated hypoxia and TNF- signaling, while cytotrophoblasts exhibited downregulated receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. However, only in LGA placentas, villous non-trophoblasts displayed upregulated TNF- signaling and inflammatory responses. Notably, Hofbauer cells in LGA placentas presented transcriptional alterations in immunometabolism-related genes and functioned as main signaling senders via SPP1. Importantly, we recapitulated syncytiotrophoblast responses to maternal obesity using a novel microfluidic organoids-on-a-chip co-culture. These findings reveal distinct transcriptional responses of placental cell types to maternal obesity and fetal growth, highlighting potential intervention pathways to mitigate future disease risks.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Reusing wasted bioresources for crop protection: Calcinated oyster shell powder enhances rhizospheric microbial-mediated suppression of root-knot nematodes

The root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most destructive plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) affecting crop production worldwide. Our earlier study revealed that calcinated oyster shell powder (OSP) effectively suppressed tobacco RKN disease. However, the suppression mechanism of OSP against RKNs remain unknown. Our study revealed that calcinated OSP reduced the tobacco root-knot index by more than 38% by inhibiting the migration of second-stage juveniles of Meloidogyne incognita (J2) in the soil. Furthermore, OSP reduced the J2 density in the tobacco rhizosphere by 43.69% and significantly increased the soil pH by 0.68; moreover, OSP increased the contents of soil exchangeable calcium (ExchCa) and exchangeable magnesium (ExchMg) by more than 50%. Moreover, soil properties, including ExchMg, ExchCa and pH, enhanced the microbial-mediated suppression of J2. Specifically, Proteobacteria and Gemmatimonadota dominated the microbial community suppressing RKN, and fungal richness contributed to the suppression of RKNs; in addition, Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria dominated the microbial community promoting RKN prosperity. Our study revealed that the reuse of wasted oyster shell powder as an innovative antagonist is a promising avenue for ecofriendly RKN management strategies. IMPORTANCEThere is increased demand for ecofriendly RKN management strategies, and this study is the first to propose that the reuse of wasted oyster shell powder as an innovative antagonist against RKNs is effective, and calcinated oyster shell powder can reduce tobacco root-knot index and Meloidogyne incognita (J2) density by inhibiting the migration of J2s and enhancing the microbially mediated suppression of J2s in the tobacco rhizosphere. Moreover, several soil microbial and physicochemical indicators, including the contents of soil exchangeable calcium, exchangeable magnesium, pH and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadota, Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria in plant rhizosphere were suggested to guide the development of ecofriendly PPN management strategies.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

A novel broad-spectrum antibiotic targets multiple-drug-resistant bacteria with dual binding targets and no detectable resistance

The rapid emergence of difficult-to-treat multidrug-resistant pathogens, combined with the scarcity of antibiotics possessing novel mechanisms, poses a significant threat to global public health. Here, we integrated the synthetic-bioinformatic natural product approach with peptide optimization to unveil the antibiotic-producing potential of Paenibacillaceae bacteria. Our culture-independent approach led to the discovery of paenimycin, a novel 11-mer depsi-lipopeptide featuring an unprecedented dual-binding mechanism. By sequestering the phosphate and hydroxyl groups of lipid A in Gram-negative bacteria, as well as the phosphate groups of teichoic acids in Gram-positive bacteria, paenimycin exhibited potent and broad-spectrum efficacy against MDR pathogens in vitro and in vivo models. Remarkably, paenimycin demonstrates no detectable resistance, favorable pharmacokinetics and low nephrotoxicity, positioning it as a promising candidate for treating serve and urgent MDR infections.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2025

Food pairing independently associated with cardiometabolic traits beyond dietary patterns across western and eastern populations

Cardiometabolic health is closely linked to diet. Both specific food choices and dietary indices are commonly used to guide cardiometabolic protection strategies. However, the balance between foods may also significantly impact cardiometabolic health. Here, we explore the balance and imbalance in long-term dietary food intake to quantify food pairing patterns (FPs), providing insights beyond conventional dietary indices and single-food intake frequencies. Using data from our GGMP (n = 6,994) and the NHANES (n = 7,350) cohorts, we observed that long-term food pairing patterns are independent of single food intake frequency and dietary indices. We identified 1,759 and 306 cardiometabolic-related long-term food pairing patterns from two cohorts (FDR < 0.05), respectively. Notably, around 80% of these pairing foods not individually associated with cardiometabolic traits, and food pairing pattern associations with cardiometabolic traits at hyper food group level were consistent across Eastern and Western populations. Besides, mediation analysis revealed that 72.7% of long-term food pairing patterns affected cardiometabolic traits through 31 microbial genera, with Clostridiumsensustricto1 playing a predominant role. Moreover, multi-step mediation analysis found that microbes mediated the impact of long-term food pairing patterns on cardiometabolic traits primarily through their metabolic pathways, such as pyruvate fermentation to propanoate and ergothioneine biosynthesis pathways. Our data suggest that balance between dietary foods is broadly associated with cardiometabolic traits by modulating gut microbial functionalities, in contrast to the lower occurrence when considering individual foods in isolation. These results offer a novel perspective for designing personalized dietary strategies beyond present dietary indices to enhance cardiometabolic health.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Normative models reveal distinct cortical abnormalities to dimensions of psychopathologies in preadolescents

BackgroundEvidence suggests a non-specific mapping between psychiatric disorders and underlying neurobiological substrates. A dimensional psychopathology framework may prove useful for organizing observed neurobiological alterations along broad psychopathological dimensions. MethodsWe applied latent class analysis, with an additional constraint on classification uncertainty, to identify clinical cohorts of symptomatic homogeneity to represent the high-risk end of specific psychopathological dimensions (i.e., internalizing/externalizing, p-factor), using baseline data (N = 11860) from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. These cohorts were compared against neurotypical individuals in deviations from the normality of cortical development, quantified using autoencoder-based normative models, to reveal cortical abnormalities. ResultsWe identified cortical thickness related to psychopathologies in the ABCD data, particularly to externalizing syndromes, and revealed distinct structural abnormalities to broad psychopathological dimensions. ConclusionThis study highlights the value of person-centered analytic techniques, combined with normative modeling, to complement traditional associational methodologies in revealing neurobiological correlates of dimensional psychopathologies.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Targeting eIF4G1-dependent translation in melanoma

Expression of components of the translation initiation complex (eIF4F) is frequently elevated in cancer, resulting in enhanced synthesis of oncogenic proteins. We thus set out to limit eIF4F pro-oncogenic activity, a notable challenge given its essential role in normal tissues. CRISPR-Cas9-based functional screen using tiling sgRNAs identified the eIF4G1 MA3 domain, a subunit of the eIF4F complex, as a target for developing small molecule inhibitors. Combination of structure-guided in silico modeling and chemical library screening led to the identification of small molecule candidates M19 and its analog M19-6 that binds to the MA3 domain of eIF4G1 and disrupts eIF4F complex. M19-6 treatment reprograms the melanoma translatome, limiting synthesis of factors that promote cell proliferation and neoplastic growth, as well as reducing translation of mRNAs encoding ferroptosis suppressors. Whole genome CRISPR screen indentified ferroptosis activators to augment M19-6 activity, which was confirmed in cultured melanoma cells. M19-6 alleviates melanoma resistance to BRAF and MEK inhibitors, while eliciting anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects in preclinical mouse models. Among several biomarkers found in M19-6 sensitive cell lines, THBS1 and TGF{beta}I expression were elevated in patients who are non-responders to PD-1 therapy as in patients with metastasis. Our studies identify M19-6 as a therapeutic candidate, offering a novel insights into targeting the eIF4F complex to overcome melanoma resistance to therapy and metastasis. SignificanceWe identify M19-6 as a small molecule that disrupts the eIF4F, translation initiation complex, by targeting the MA3 domain of eIF4G1, resulting in elimination of melanoma cells in culture, overcoming therapy resistance while inhibiting melanoma growth and metastasis in vivo. As M19-6 causes minimal toxicity to melanocytes, it offers a therapeutic modality for melanoma.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Single-nucleus multiple-organ chromatin accessibility mapping in the rat

The chromatin accessibility landscape is the basis of cell-specific gene expression. We generated a multiorgan, single-nucleus chromatin accessibility landscape from the model organism Rattus norvegicus. For this single-cell atlas, we constructed 25 libraries via snATAC-seq from nine organs in the rat, with a total of over 110,000 cells. Cell classification integrating gene activity scores with known marker genes identified 77 cell types, which were strongly correlated with those in published mouse single-cell transcriptome atlases. We further investigated the enrichment of cell type- and organ-specific transcription factors (TFs), the dynamics of T-cell developmental trajectories across organs, and the conservation and specificity of gene expression patterns across species. These findings provide a foundation for further investigations of the cell composition and gene regulatory networks throughout the rat body. HighlightsO_LIGeneration of a single-cell atlas of chromatin accessibility in nine organs of the rat C_LIO_LICharacterization of cell type- and organ-specific transcription factors (TFs) C_LIO_LIDynamics of chromatin accessibility in developing T cells revealed by cross-organ analysis C_LIO_LIConservation and specificity of gene expression patterns among humans, mice, and rats revealed by cross-species analysis C_LI

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

Genomic diversity and underlying metabolic variations of the human gut microbiome between populations at single nucleotide resolution

BackgroundA comprehensive and representative reference database is crucial for accurate taxonomic and functional profiling of the human gut microbiome in population-level studies. However, with 70% of current microbial reference data derived from Europeans and the Americans, East Asia, especially China, remain underrepresented. MethodsWe constructed the human Gut Microbiome Reference (GMR), comprising 478,588 high-quality microbial genomes from Chinese (247,134) and non-Chinese (231,454) populations. Species-level clustering and protein annotations were performed to characterize microbial diversity and function. We further integrated novel genomes into taxonomic profiling database and validated the improvements using independent cohort data. ResultsThe GMR dataset spans 6,664 species, including 26.4% newly classified species, and encodes over 20 million unique proteins, with 47% lacking known functional annotations. Notably, we observed that 35.35% and 32.46% of species unique to Chinese and non-Chinese populations, respectively. For 2,145 species shared between populations, 74% of 304 species with balanced prevalence between populations exhibited population-specific phylogenetic stratification, involving health relevant functionalities such as antibiotic resistance. Integration of novel genomes into taxonomic improved population-level species profiling by up to 23% and uncovered replicable associations between novel species and host physiological traits. ConclusionsOur study largely expands the compositional and functional landscape of the human gut microbiome, providing a crucial resource for studying the role of gut microbiome for regional health disparities.

genomics↗