Key Highlights
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A new protein called Hoi1 acts as a guide, directing bridge-like lipid transporters (BLTP2) to specific contact points between the cell’s energy factory (ER) and its outer skin (plasma membrane). This discovery reveals a universal cellular mechanism for managing fat and cholesterol levels, which is crucial for maintaining healthy cell function across animals from yeast to flies.
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Severe viral lung infections, like COVID-19, can leave a lasting “epigenetic imprint” in the lungs that promotes the growth of lung cancer later on. This happens because the infection reprograms the lung environment to favor tumor-supporting immune cells and weakens cancer-fighting cells, a process that can potentially be reversed with specific drug combinations.
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In epilepsy, damaged neurons can leak mitochondrial DNA, which triggers a harmful immune response in nearby brain support cells (glia) via the cGAS-STING pathway. This creates a cycle of inflammation and changes in brain cell metabolism, particularly involving the amino acid serine, identifying a new potential target for treating the disorder.
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Researchers characterized a key enzyme, AmiA, that helps the sexually transmitted bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis divide by cutting its protective cell wall. Understanding how this enzyme works is vital for developing new antibiotics to treat this common and often silent infection.
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A new machine learning tool called HMRPred is now available online to quickly identify proteins that give bacteria resistance to toxic heavy metals like lead or mercury. This web resource helps scientists track and understand how environmental pollution drives the spread of dangerous resistance genes.
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