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This study reveals the role of the Rpd3S complex in genomic integrity, highlighting how its asymmetrical structure influences interaction with transcribed nucleosomes and elongating RNA polymerase II.

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.

An ultra-high-throughput multiplex protein–DNA binding assay is used to assess binding of 270 human transcription factors to 95,886 noncoding variants in the human genome, providing data to improve prediction of the effects of noncoding variants on transcription factor binding and thereby increase understanding of molecular pathways involved in diverse human traits and genetic diseases.

Trace amounts of strong acid can suppress Zn corrosion and promote uniform Zn deposition. Here, the authors use HTFSI to create a hydrophobic micro-environment at the Zn-electrolyte interface, enabling high efficiency and cycling stability.

Many transcription factors bind to regulatory DNA elements that are distant from gene promoters. These distal binding sites are thought to regulate transcription through long-range chromatin interactions, but, until now, the impact of chromatin interactions on transcription regulation has not been investigated in a genome-wide manner. A new strategy — chromatin interaction analysis by paired-end tag sequencing — is now described for the de novo detection of global chromatin interactions.

Structural and biochemical studies of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rpd3 small complex in free and H3K36me3 nucleosome-bound states reveal multiple nucleosome-binding modes and provide insights into mechanisms underlying epigenetic regulation by histone modification.

Alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism may contribute to the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as other metabolic disorders. In this work, Zhou et al. identify orosomucoid 2 (ORM2) as a regulator of lipid homeostasis in the liver.

The transcription factor Foxp3 and Stat5 modulate lineage stability and function of regulatory T (Treg) cells to promote immune homeostasis. Here the authors show that O-GlcNAcylation of Foxp3 and Stat5, mediated by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), is essential for Treg-mediate immune balance, with Treg-specific deficiency of OGT leading to severe autoimmunity.

The transcription factor Dax1 is often used as an embryonic stem cell (ESC) marker. Here the authors show that Dax1 acts in parallel to the pluripotency transcription factor Nanog in the maintenance of mouse ESC pluripotency and is required for full somatic cell reprogramming.

Analyses on a newly assembled, nearly complete genome of Ginkgo biloba revealed the cause of genome expansion and candidate genes associated with the formation of spermatophore flagellum in ginkgo, advancing our understanding about gymnosperm evolution.

The lunar basalts sampled by the Chang’e-5 mission originated from melting of a clinopyroxene-rich mantle source enhanced in radioactive elements, potentially explaining this late lunar volcanism, according to sample analysis and crystallization modelling.

COBRA1 is a BRCA1-binding protein and, as part of the negative elongation factor, regulates RNA polymerase II pausing and transcription elongation. Here, the authors show that tissue-specific deletion of mouse Cobra1 inhibits postnatal mammary gland development and that the mammary defects can be rescued by additional deletion of Brca1in a DNA repair-independent manner.

TIP60-mediated crotonylation of the microtubule plus-end tracking protein EB1 at Lys66 regulates attachment of astral microtubules to the lateral cell cortex and spindle positioning.

A new class of miRNA-recognition elements that function exclusively in protein-coding regions use distinct target-recognition rules and mediate translational repression instead of mRNA destabilization.

A particle-filter algorithm for single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, implemented in a tool called THUNDER, provides high-dimensional parameter estimation, improving the obtainable resolution for several protein structures.

Liu et al. describe a molecular network wherein SIRT7 couples light-driven systemic body temperature cues to hepatic oscillators via HSP70 to ensure circadian phase coherence and glucose homeostasis in the liver.

Aberrant production of oestrogens by adipose stromal cells is a driving factor in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Here the authors discover that oestrogen synthesis in adipose tissue is regulated by mechanical stress, and reveal how this effect is mediated.

The metavirome of 31 tick species sheds light on the diversity and distinct evolution of tick-associated RNA viruses, and lays the foundation for better understanding of tick–virus interaction.

Sequencing and de novo assembly of seven wild relatives of soybean yields insights relevant to crop domestication and improvement.

The BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network has constructed a multimodal cell census and atlas of the mammalian primary motor cortex in a landmark effort towards understanding brain cell-type diversity, neural circuit organization and brain function.

This resource describes a collection of neurons from a variety of light microscopy-based datasets, which can serve as a gold standard for testing automated tracing algorithms, as shown by comparison of the performance of 35 algorithms.

The next step after sequencing a genome is to figure out how the cell actually uses it as an instruction manual. A large international consortium has examined 1% of the genome for what part is transcribed, where proteins are bound, what the chromatin structure looks like, and how the sequence compares to that of other organisms.

Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum are the pathogenic agents that cause the tropical disease schistosomiasis. Here, and in an accompanying paper, the genomes of these two flatworms are sequenced and analysed. The results provide insights into the molecular architecture and host interactions of the flatworms, as well as avenues for future development of targeted interventions for schistosomiasis.

Li Yu, Ya-Ping Zhang, Chung-I Wu and colleagues report the de novo genome of the black snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus bieti and the genomic sequences of four other Rhinopithecus species, including three high-altitude and two lowland species. The species- and population-level genomic analyses as well as the transcriptomic analysis and functional assays find adaptive signatures associated with adaptation to high altitude.

Tamas Horvath and his colleagues show that in states of obesity activation of the transcription factor PPAR-γ in POMC neurons occurs, resulting in an increase in peroxisome proliferation. This cellular event leads to reduced ROS levels in these cells, decreased neuronal firing and increased food intake. They also show that central pharmacological inhibition of PPAR-γ reverses these effects, suggesting a possible way to combat obesity.