Biology subjects

Zhao, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Zhao, J..

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Rapid and Specific Identification of Emerging Trichophyton mentagrophytes Genotype VII Using an In-House Developed and Validated Real-Time PCR Assay

Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TmVII) is an emerging sexually transmitted dermatophyte that causes skin infections characterized by inflammatory, erythematous-squamous, painful, and persistent lesions. This genotype is part of the T. interdigitale/T. mentagrophytes Species Complex (TiTmSC), which comprises 28 genotypes. To enable rapid and specific differentiation of TmVII from other genotypes, a real-time polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR) assay was developed targeting three unique single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the ITS1 region of TmVII. Assay specificity was further improved by introducing an additional mismatch at the 3 ends of both forward and reverse primers. The rt-PCR assay demonstrated high sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.0002 ng of TmVII genomic DNA. The assay was highly specific, with no cross-reactivity observed with either closely or distantly related fungal pathogens when a cycle threshold (Ct) cutoff of 37 was applied. Among 497 mold isolates tested, 47 were confirmed as TmVII by rt-PCR, and the results were fully concordant with conventional ITS-PCR/Sanger sequencing. The rt-PCR assay demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and speed, with a turnaround time of one day after DNA extraction, compared with seven to ten days for Sanger sequencing. The first rapid molecular assay developed using TaqMan chemistry for TmVII identification is expected to enhance patient care and support infection control measures.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Beyond next-word prediction: hierarchical linguistic composition drives LLM-brain alignment in time

The internal representations of large language models (LLMs) correlate, or "align", with human neural activity during language comprehension. One view holds that this alignment reflects shared sensitivity to statistical patterns in LLMs and humans, while others hold that it reflects, at least in part, the emergence of shared linguistic representations in these systems. Here, we investigate whether hierarchical linguistic composition, a property believed to be fundamental to human language, modulates LLM-brain alignment. To this end, we manipulated syntax, compositional semantics, and associative semantics in English sentences that were presented to both an LLM and human participants during an electroencephalography (EEG) experiment. We matched linguistically manipulated stimuli in predictability, which allows us to tease apart alignment induced by linguistic structure from statistical factors. By comparing LLM-EEG alignment scores that were derived using a linear encoding model across predictability-matched conditions, we evaluate how linguistic manipulations modulate the alignment between human EEG reading data and contextual embeddings extracted word-by-word from the hidden layers of GPT2-XL. Three key patterns emerge: (1) increased alignment for word sequences with syntactic structure, (2) decreased alignment for sentences with compositional semantics, and (3) associative semantics does not modulate alignment. These observed linguistic modulations of LLM-EEG alignment take place above and beyond predictability. Our results indicate that associative semantics is encoded similarly by LLMs and the brain, as are at least some aspects of syntactic structure, while compositional semantics is more uniquely encoded in the human brain.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

ProteinFlux: accurate, rapid and scalable generative prediction of protein dynamics driven by post-translational modifications

The function of proteins, the building blocks of life, in health and disease depends not only on their 3D-conformational states but most importantly on the dynamic transition between states controlled by a wide array of post-translational modifications (PTMs). Recent major advances have been made in our ability to predict static 3D structures; however, understanding and predicting the impact of PTMs on protein conformational dynamics remains a major question and challenge in the field. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation remains the major computational approach for studying protein dynamics. However, the high computational cost, lack of integration of PTMs as conditioning inputs and inefficient generation of continuous protein dynamics largely precludes PTM-regulated conformational dynamics and the study of slow conformational processes. To address this critical bottleneck, we developed ProteinFlux, a flow-matching generative framework that links PTM-conditioned conformational dynamics to evolutionary constraints encoded by PTM sites. Evolutionary information plays a critical role in capturing conformational dynamics beyond sequence identity, and PTM sites inherently encode evolutionary constraints critical to protein functional regulation. We therefore built FluxSite, a dual-modal PTM site predictor that integrates sequence evolutionary information and 3D structural features to generate a continuous conditional signal encoding conservation and functional importance for each predicted site. FluxSite achieves robust generalization across 18 PTM types and 30 disease-associated proteomes. ProteinFlux generates phosphorylation-conditioned, all-atom conformational trajectories across diverse protein fold classes, faithfully reproducing both thermodynamic properties such as free energy landscapes and kinetic features such as conformational transition pathways. It outperforms state-of-the-art predictors while achieving inference speeds several orders of magnitude faster than traditional MD. In addition, we introduce DynaMo-phos, a benchmark dataset of phosphorylated protein MD simulations. Together, ProteinFlux, FluxSite and DynaMo-phos provide a scalable, high-throughput platform for elucidating PTM-driven conformational mechanisms, with potential applications across allosteric drug design, functional annotation of disease-associated modifications and mechanism-guided therapeutic development.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2026

Tripeptidyl peptidase II is essential for maintaining cerebrovascular homeostasis of female mice and represents a novel therapeutic target for vascular dementia

Although cerebrovascular impairment is a known common driver of both Vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimers disease (AD), the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. Substantial evidence has demonstrated that brain-derived estrogen is essential for cerebrovascular health and neuroprotection. Consequently, therapeutic strategies that can replicate the beneficial effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the brain while avoiding its peripheral risks are being actively pursued. Here, we demonstrate that tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP2) is essential for cerebrovascular homeostasis in adult female mice by orchestrating intracellular Ca{superscript 2} distribution and local estrogen biosynthesis. Specifically, TPP2 deficiency triggers a vicious cycle of Ca{superscript 2} imbalance and estrogen deficiency, thereby disrupting the anticipatory unfolded protein response (UPR). This disruption consequently drives aberrant pexophagic flux and ultimately depletes ether-linked phosphatidylcholine (PC-O)--the essential building block of endothelial cell (EC) membranes. In addition, we identified PC-O as a key facilitator of choline uptake through FLVCR2 and therefore its deficiency causes subsequent choline depletion as well as significantly decreased acetylcholine (ACh). Consistent with the fact that choline is a building block of PC and that ACh is a primary driver of vascular dilation, TPP2 depletion leads to significant cerebrovascular degeneration characterized by narrowed lumens, decreased EC number, and abnormal aggregation of ECs within the blood vessel. Additionally, AAV-mediated specific expression of Far1 in ECs to promote ether-PC biosynthesis significantly increases cerebrovascular volume and diameter in hippocampi of adult female TPP2 knockout (T2KO) mice. Importantly, ectopic expression of Far1 in ECs not only significantly ameliorates memory impairment in global and conditional TPP2-depleted female mice, but also significantly improves memory performance of naturally aged female mice. In total, our findings establish TPP2 as a key determinant of cerebrovascular homeostasis in adult female mice, positioning it as a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of VaD and AD.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2026

MYC pathway reprogramming through a TIP60 coactivator switch in neuroendocrine lineage transition in prostate cancer

Prostate adenocarcinomas (PRAD) can acquire resistance to androgen receptor signaling inhibitors through lineage transition to a cell state known as neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). Using a panel of isogenic PRAD and NEPC mouse tumoroids, we show that NEPC cells acquire new transcription factor (TF) dependencies that function in a previously undefined network. Through selective perturbation of each TF, we identify ASCL1 as a key regulator of NE lineage fate whereas MYCL functions downstream to drive NEPC growth/survival by recruitment of the TIP60/KAT5 acetyltransferase. Interestingly, while dependencies on specific TF family paralogs can vary across NEPC models, all show markedly enhanced dependency on TIP60. Moreover, the H2A.Z-acetyltransferase activity of the TIP60 complex (TIP60-C) is required for NEPC as well as the acetyl-reader BRD8, which is newly incorporated as a TIP60-C subunit with the NEPC transition. Targeted degradation studies in isogenic tumoroids reveal increased dependence on MYCL in NEPC relative to its paralog MYC in PRAD. In addition to a paralog switch (MYC to MYCL), the MYC pathway-addicted NE state is accompanied by a chaperone switch (from TIP60-C to SRCAP) for H2A.Z histone exchange and a coactivator switch (to TIP60) for MYC target gene expression. The NE-specific coupling of MYCL with TIP60 reveals a previously unappreciated opportunity to target MYC-driven NE diseases through pharmacological inhibition of TIP60.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

LNGCN: A Distance-Aware Dynamics Network for Protein-Protein Interaction Prediction

High-throughput PPI screening requires not only interaction discrimination but also stable, calibrated scores for candidate prioritization and efficient experimental allocation. Conventional graph neural networks may over-smooth deep residue representations, reducing score separation among high-confidence candidates. We therefore developed LNGCN, a distance-aware continuous-time graph framework for experimental PPI prioritization. LNGCN integrates residue-level structural graphs with liquid neural dynamics, uses radial distance to drive continuous graph evolution, and applies hierarchical calibration to convert raw outputs into prioritization scores. It performed robustly on balanced human, 1:10 imbalanced, and cross-species yeast bench-marks. On the imbalanced dataset, the top 5% of candidates achieved 85.1% precision. LNGCN also preserved residue-level representation diversity better than conventional GCN variants. In FGF23-FGFR1c--Klotho, SHP2 signaling, Tdk1 oligomer-dependent binding, and a TPR study, it enriched known partners near the ranking top, and experimentally supported novel interactions. Overall, LNGCN enables sustained enrichment of experimentally relevant PPI candidates.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2026

TIM3+ Tumor Associated M2 Macrophages Impair Antitumor T Cell Immunity and Promote Gastric Cancer Progression and Peritoneal Metastasis

Peritoneal metastases (PM) are the leading cause of cancer-related death in gastric cancer (GC) patients with survival typically < 9 months. Here, we demonstrate that TIM3 and its ligands are increased along the GC continuum and associated with poor survival. Integrated omics analyses and functional studies revealed highly enriched TIM3 in CD163+ tumor associated M2 immunosuppressive macrophages significantly promote tumor cell invasion and tumor growth in vivo, while TIM3 depletion in macrophages reduced tumor cell malignant attributes and increased T cell immunity from PBMCs or CD45+ immune cells of malignant ascites in co-culture system. By cytokine and kinase arrays, we discovered that depletion of TIM3 in macrophages reduced the production of notable secretome of cytokines/chemokines from M2 macrophages; and the protumor function of TIM3+ macrophages rely on the p90RSK1/2/CCL20 axis. Finally, we reveal that TIM3 blockage or genetic KO had superior antitumor activity in combination with anti-PD1 immunotherapy and mitomycin C (MMC) chemotherapy. Together, this study uncovers an important role for TIM3 in tumor associated M2 macrophages and underscores the potential of TIM3 blockage in GC patients with PM. Statement of significanceIn this study, we show TIM3 increases along GC continuum, and highly enriched on tumor associated M2 macrophages that fuel tumor growth; and suppress T cell function via p90RSK1/2/CCL20 axis. TIM3 depletion restores T-cell immunity and curbs tumor growth. TIM3 blockade combined with anti-PD1 and mitomycin C provide a novel therapeutic strategy for GC patients with PM.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2026

Tetrahydrocurcumin Suppresses Bladder Carcinogenesis via Reprogramming O-GlcNAcylation-Phosphorylation Crosstalk

Bladder cancer exhibits high recurrence rates and limited therapeutic options in advanced stages. Although post-translational modifications (PTMs) are critical regulators of tumor biology, their systems-level remodeling during bladder carcinogenesis remains insufficiently defined. Using a BBN-induced murine bladder cancer model combined with tumor-derived organoids and bladder cancer cell lines, we observed a consistent global elevation of protein O-GlcNAcylation across tumor-associated contexts. Site-resolved quantitative proteomics revealed that this increase reflected selective redistribution rather than uniform accumulation, with differential O-GlcNAc sites nearly evenly divided between up-and down-regulated events. Integrated analyses demonstrated preferential enrichment of up-regulated O-GlcNAcylation within cytoskeleton-adhesion modules and Notch-related domains, whereas down-regulated events were more closely associated with structural maintenance and homeostatic programs. Approximately half of differentially O-GlcNAcylated proteins exhibited concurrent phosphorylation changes, indicating coordinated multi-layer PTM remodeling. Pharmacological inhibition of O-GlcNAc transferase suppressed bladder cancer cell proliferation and organoid growth, supporting a functional association between elevated O-GlcNAcylation and tumor growth. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) reduced global O-GlcNAcylation and induced directional remodeling of BBN-associated O-GlcNAc patterns. Cross-comparative analyses identified subsets of sites exhibiting opposite regulation trends following THC intervention. Collectively, these findings define a spatially and functionally organized PTM remodeling landscape in bladder cancer and suggest that THC exerts anti-tumor effects in part through coordinated reprogramming of O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation networks.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Heterogeneous transmission estimation and strategy optimization for Chikungunya: a vector-borne modeling study differentiating age and sex

Against the backdrop of global climate change and accelerating population mobility in 2025, chikungunya fever (CHIKF) exhibited a trend of worldwide spread, significantly increasing the difficulty of controlling tropical mosquito-borne diseases. To enhance the precision of intervention strategies, this study developed an age- and sex-structured human-mosquito interaction dynamic model based on data from the largest CHIKF outbreak ever recorded in China, and conducted a targeted analysis of prevention and control strategies. By decomposing the basic reproduction number and examining population heterogeneity, asymptomatic males aged 15-59 years were identified as the core transmission group. Optimal control analysis revealed that the synergistic implementation of three measures-- reducing the effective human-to-mosquito transmission rate, reducing the effective mosquito-to-human transmission rate, and suppressing mosquito population density--could reduce the overall infection rate by 95.7586%. Among these, mosquito population suppression should be prioritized as a universal core strategy; however, its protective effect on females aged 60 years and above was relatively weak, warranting particular attention. The study further demonstrated that asymmetric intensity combinations targeting these three intervention pathways--such as intensity profiles of "10%, 90%, 90%" or "60%, 80%, 90%"--could achieve effective outbreak control. This research elucidates population-specific transmission patterns and key pathways for intervention intensity, providing a theoretical and strategic foundation for the precise control of mosquito-borne diseases. It also provides actionable operational insights to support rapid response and strategy optimization for future emerging outbreaks. Author summaryCHIKF is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is gradually spreading from tropical regions to other areas. To achieve more precise control of this disease, we developed an age- and sex-structured analytical model based on the largest CHIKF outbreak in China, aiming to provide a scientific basis for responding to potential future outbreaks with inherent uncertainties. The study found that asymptomatic males aged 15-59 years were the primary drivers of transmission and should be prioritized as a key population for reducing viral spread in prevention efforts. When evaluating the effectiveness of different intervention strategies, females aged 60 years and above were the least affected by the implemented measures, indicating that this group should strengthen personal protection to lower their infection risk. Among all control measures, mosquito suppression was the most effective, suggesting that vector control strategies should be prioritized in future outbreak responses.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2026

Loss of Mast cells and histaminergic signaling link diet to platelet-mediated NETosis and mammary cancer recurrence

Breast cancer recurrence remains a clinical challenge. The period after the treatment of the primary tumor while cancer cells that evaded initial treatment lay dormant, provides a unique window of opportunity for interventions to prevent recurrence. Specific modifiable factors such as consumption of high fat diets or elevated circulating cholesterol are associated with decreased time to recurrence. Mechanistically, oxidized cholesterol and lipid species have been implicated in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment. This suggests that consumption of food prepared under oxidizing conditions such as pan-frying, may be an underappreciated risk. Using murine models of mammary cancer dormancy, we found that a diet enriched with fat from fried, cured bacon (cfBF) decreased dormancy latency times. Resulting lesions had fewer mast cells (MCs). Loss of MCs alone resulted in reemergence from dormancy. Elevated expression of a MC gene signature in breast tumors was associated with improved progression free and overall survival, highlighting the human relevance of these findings. MCs are a major source of tissue histamine, and lesions from mice fed cfBF had decreased concentrations. Importantly, antagonists of the histamine receptor 2 (H2R) sparked reemergence from dormancy. H2R antagonists are over-the-counter drugs are taken to alleviate gastroesophageal reflux disease. Chronic treatment of mice with H2R-antagonists sensitized platelets towards activation and crosstalk with neutrophils, and subsequent formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The loss of platelet or NETosis activity mitigated the H2R-antagonist stimulated reemergence from dormancy. Therefore, we establish a novel metastatic axis which links diet to recurrence via MCs, histaminergic signaling and NETosis: Diet -- MC -- H2R -- (decreased) Platelet Activity -- (decreased) Neutrophil-NETosis -- (decreased) Reemergence from Dormancy. Our data reveal several potential intervention strategies: lifestyle, MC stabilization, histaminergic signaling, and neutrophil and platelet activity.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

DHHC7 palmitoylates KRAS4A and promotes mutant KRAS-driven pancreatic cancers

KRAS mutations underlie many human cancers. While inhibitors such as Sotorasib and Adagrasib targeting KRAS mutants have shown promise, additional strategies are required to address the broader spectrum of KRAS-driven cancers, particularly those displaying drug resistance. Thus, there is a need to better understand KRAS signaling and develop new therapeutic strategies. Here we show that KRAS4A is palmitoylated on Cys180 by a palmitoyl transferase, DHHC7 (gene name ZDHHC7). Palmitoylation promotes KRAS4A plasma membrane localization, and more importantly, nanoclustering. This in turn promotes the activation of ARAF and RAF1, but not BRAF. DHHC7 and KRAS4A Cys180 palmitoylation are important for the normal and anchorage independent growth of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Depletion of ZDHHC7 dramatically inhibits pancreatic tumor growth in mouse xenograft models. These studies provide new understandings about how palmitoylation regulates KRAS4A activity and suggest DHHC7 as a promising new target for KRAS mutant cancers.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Vitamin D3 attenuates nitrogen mustard-induced dermal toxicity by enhancing microbial butyrate production via the intestinal VDR-α-defensin signaling pathway

Nitrogen mustard (NM)-caused severe cutaneous damage lacks effective targeted therapies. Vitamin D3 (VD3) shows promise as a therapy for NM-induced dermal toxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, we initially confirmed that NM induced gut flora dysbiosis, characterized by a decrease of Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) abundance, thereby leading to butyrate reduction. Antibiotics (ABX) significantly promoted NM-induced skin injury, whereas fecal microbiota transplantation of the controls feces (HC-FMT) or AKK administration attenuated NM-induced dermal toxicity. HC-FMT or AKK significantly increased butyrate levels in feces and serum of NM-treated mice. Butyrate notably attenuated ABX-caused acceleration of NM-induced skin injury. Meanwhile, NM markedly decreased the expression of -defensins, MMP7, and VDR. NM failed to further decrease AKK abundance and BA contents in intestinal MMP7-deficient mice, which was abolished by human alpha defensin 5 (HD5) overexpression. And intestinal MMP7 deficiency enhanced NM-caused skin injury, which was markedly attenuated by HD5 overexpression, AKK transplantation, or BA supplementation. Moreover, NM also failed to further reduce MMP7 and -defensin expression, AKK abundance, and butyrate levels in intestinal VDR-silenced mice. Finally, VD3 remodeled the gut microbiome particularly enriching AKK, increased butyrate contents and promoted the expression of -defensins, MMP7, and VDR, thereby attenuating NM-induced skin damage. The protective effect of VD3 against NM-caused dermal toxicity was abolished by either ABX or intestinal-specific knockdown of MMP7 or VDR in mice; however, this impairment was reversed by butyrate or AKK. In conclusion, VD3 attenuated NM-caused dermal toxicity by promoting BA production via remodeling the gut microbiota, and this effect was partially mediated by the intestinal VDR--defensin signaling pathway. These highlight that targeting the gut flora or supplementing with BA could be potential therapies for NM-induced dermal toxicity.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Complete genome-derived metabolic interactions reveal impact of gut ecology on human health

Metabolic interactions govern gut microbiome assembly, yet functional rules remain obscured by genomic incompleteness and fragmentation. Here, we leverage 1,150 complete genomes to construct genome-scale metabolic models, demonstrating that draft genomes introduce systemic artifacts missing critical transport functions. We observe that metabolic interactions are intrinsically driven by genomic traits and niche specialization rather than random association. We stratifies strains into four ecological groups, including active players, resource predators, utilizers, and contributors, each of which exhibits distinct metabolite exchange/competition signatures. This functional architecture is strongly coupled to secondary metabolism. Applying this framework to inflammatory bowel disease revealed distinct temporal dynamics of ecological groups across disease subtypes, where group-specific dysbiosis predicted clinical phenotypes better than whole community profiles. Furthermore, integrating metabolic and co-occurrence networks to identify keystone for classifiers as features significantly improved disease diagnosis. Our study provides novel insights into gut metabolic interaction landscape, bridging the gap between genomic potential and clinical utility for precision microbiome therapeutics.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Population Structure and Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Transfer of Respiratory Escherichia coli Isolated from Swine in China

ABSTRACPorcine respiratory diseases caused by extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) pose a severe threat to swine production and public health; however, research on respiratory tract-isolated ExPEC remains limited. This study comprehensively analyzed the genomic characteristics and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) transfer potential of 441 ExPEC strains isolated from porcine lungs across 21 Chinese provinces (including 53 newly isolated strains from 2022-2024 and 388 NCBI-deposited strains). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 84% of the isolates belonged to phylogroups A, B1, and C, with ST410, ST101, and ST88 as the predominant STs. The strains exhibited extensive ARG diversity, harboring 111 distinct ARG subtypes, with sul2 (81.4%), floR (73.5%), and tet (A) (68.0%) being the most prevalent. Importantly, critical "last-resort" antibiotic resistance genes (e.g., blaNDM-1/5, the mcr family, and tet (X4)) were also detected. Notably, 77.2% of the ARGs presented horizontal transfer potential, with plasmids (especially IncF family replicons) serving as core vectors, followed by integrons and transposons. Cooccurrence network analysis identified aph (3)-Ib, aph (6)-Id, sul2, and floR as core subnetworks driving multidrug resistance dissemination. Pangenomic analysis confirmed an open genome architecture, with core genes accounting for only 6%, reflecting the strains capacity to acquire exogenous genetic material via horizontal transfer. From the One Health perspective, these transferable ARGs can spread to the environment and humans through fecal discharge and the food chain. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and controlling ExPEC infections in swine, as such strains can as reservoirs of ARGs, pose potential risks to human health, and may even act as sources of pathogenic agents responsible for human infections. IMPORTANCEPorcine respiratory ExPEC-induced diseases threaten swine production and public health, yet respiratory tract-isolated ExPEC research remains scarce. This study comprehensively analyzed 441 porcine lung ExPEC strains across 21 Chinese provinces, uncovering their dominant phylogroups, high ARG diversity (111 subtypes) and the presence of "last-resort" antibiotic resistance genes. We identified 77.2% of ARGs with horizontal transfer potential, plasmids (especially IncF family) as core vectors, and a core ARG subnetwork driving multidrug resistance. The open pangenome (6% core genes) highlights ExPECs strong capacity to acquire exogenous genes. These findings fill the research gap of respiratory ExPEC, clarify ARG transmission mechanisms in swine ExPEC, and provide critical genomic data for One Health-based AMR surveillance and control, guiding targeted strategies to mitigate ARG spread from swine to humans and the environment.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Complete Genomes of Cultivated Gut Bacteria Reveal Mobile Genetic Element-Driven Functional Diversity with Therapeutic Implications

Cultivated bacterial isolates are essential for elucidating gut microbiota functions, yet reliance on fragmented draft genomes and limited mobile genetic element (MGE) annotation has constrained high-resolution analyses. Here, we present the Cultivated Complete Genome Reference (CCGR), a comprehensive compendium of 1,150 fully circularized human gut bacterial genomes. Overcoming draft limitations, CCGR achieves chromosome-scale resolution and reveals distinct evolutionary strategies shaping gene topological organization in response to bacterial growth. Furthermore, we decode the dynamic landscape of MGEs, demonstrating that broad-host-range phages follow strict positional patterns by integrating at conserved chromosomal hotspots flanked by nutrient transporter loci. Importantly, we provide mechanistic in vivo evidence that accessory genomic elements drive strain-level functional heterogeneity. Specifically, the plasmid-encoded scrK gene in Levilactobacillus brevis involved in fructose catabolism is required to mitigate fructose-diet-exacerbated colitis. Collectively, CCGR establishes a framework linking chromosomal architecture and MGEs to bacterial evolution and host health, enabling precise, strain-resolved functional investigations.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Two ancient nuclear lineages and divergent reproductive strategies drive global success of the wheat stripe rust pathogen

Understanding the mechanisms for generating and maintaining plant pathogen genetic diversity is essential for predicting disease emergence and safeguarding the food supply. Here, using population-genomic analyses of 507 global isolates of the wheat stripe rust fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, we uncover two nuclear lineages that diverged before modern agriculture and reinforced during wheat domestication. Distinct lineage combinations underpin three major global populations: two predominantly sympatric, homozygous lineages (nuclA-nuclA and nuclB-nuclB) and a globally dominant heterokaryotic lineage (nuclA-nuclB) of hybrid origin. This hybrid population evolves largely clonally, accompanied by recurrent somatic nuclear exchange. Identical virulence traits can arise independently via somatic nuclear exchange in clonal populations or through sexual recombination in recombining populations, revealing convergent evolutionary routes to adaptation. Together, our results provide a transformative nuclear-level perspective linking deep evolutionary history and reproductive strategy to the global success of cereal rust fungi.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2026

STING suppresses migration of murine triple-negative breast cancer cells E0771 and 4T1 in vitro

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer and lacks effective therapies. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) has been shown to both suppress and promote migration in various cancer types, but its role in TNBC remains unclear. To investigate this, we established STING-overexpressing murine TNBC cell lines and assessed their migratory and proliferative behavior. STING overexpression significantly suppressed cell migration without affecting cell proliferation. Furthermore, STING overexpression in E0771 cells upregulated expression levels of Itgb1 and Itga6 significantly, but not Icam1, Cxcl3, Itgb2, Lama5, or Rhoa. These findings highlight the potential anti-migratory role of STING beyond immunomodulatory functions.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Isoform-resolved spatial transcriptomics on a lab-made high-density array via a single-chip NGS-TGS workflow

High-resolution spatial transcriptomics is still cost-prohibitive and dominated by short-read sequencing, limiting in situ detection of transcript structures. Here we present a low-cost, lab-made, high-density bead-in-microwell chip assembled by routine centrifuge and decoded by a tri-part combinatorial long-barcode strategy. The design provides 5.6x107 barcode combinations across 4.1x10{square} capture sites, reducing collisions while remaining tolerant to third-generation sequencing raw errors. Using a single-chip, dual-platform workflow, we split full-length cDNA for next-generation and third-generation sequencing within the same spatial coordinates. In an incompatible tomato-pepper graft, we identified interface-associated splicing reprogramming, including thousands of unannotated isoforms, enriched novel CaGRP1 isoforms, and SlPIP2 intron retention, supported by individual long-read sequences. In mouse embryos, we further demonstrate cross-species applicability by resolving unannotated Col1a2 isoforms in oligodendrocyte progenitors and spatially restricted Dalrd3 intron retention. This cost-efficient system broadens access to spatial full-length transcriptomics and may support diverse biological studies.

plant biology↗