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Infection with SARS-CoV-2 causes interstitial pneumonia and viral replication in the lungs of transgenic mice that express a human version of ACE2, confirming the pathogenicity of the virus in this model.

Long-term stability is a key challenge for ruthenium-based oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts. Here, the authors present a RuO2/LiCoO2 catalyst with dynamic Li dissolution, which weakens the covalency of the Ru-O bond to prevent the lattice oxygen mechanism, thereby ensuring stable acidic OER.

Lilies are perennial plants with ornamental flowers and large genomes. The authors assemble genomes of two Liliales species, analyze lily phylogeny, flower and stem development (bulbs in lilies, rhizomes in flame lilies), bulb growth transitions, and colchicine biosynthesis.

The crystal structure of the full-length human glucagon receptor reveals the essential role of the 12-residue ‘stalk’ segment and an extracellular loop in the regulation of ligand binding and receptor activation.

Viral coat proteins are perceived by the RING1–IBR–RING2-type ubiquitin ligase, initiating the first step of the natural antiviral response in rice.

Real-time monitoring of the structural evolution of catalysts is essential for uncovering catalytic mechanisms and enhancing performance. Here, the authors report a time-resolved measurement that reveals the reconstruction of NiFe-based (oxy)hydroxides, facilitating highly active oxygen evolution.

A recombinant vaccine that targets the receptor-binding ___domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 induces a potent antibody response in immunized mice, rabbits and non-human primates, and protects primates from infection with the virus.

B cell activation and differentiation entails metabolic remodelling, involving differential utilisation of monocarboxylates such as L-lactate and pyruvate. Here authors show by B-cell-specific genomic deletion of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) that the consequential scarcity of pyruvate results in decreased acetylation of Histone H3 at K27, leading to decreased AID transcription and deficient class switching to IgG.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) plays an important role in glucose homeostasis and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Here authors report the peptide-free crystal structure of human GLP-1R in an inactive state which reveals a unique closed conformation of the extracellular ___domain.

The sequencing and assembly of the highly polymorphic oyster genome through a combination of short reads and fosmid pooling, complemented with extensive transcriptome analysis of development and stress response and proteome analysis of the shell, provides new insight into oyster biology and adaptation to a highly changeable environment.

Cell fate decisions remain poorly understood at the molecular level. Here Ming et al. show that BMP4 as the signal diverting cell fate away from epiblast/pluripotency to hypoblast/primitive endoderm fate during JGES reprogramming by promoting the dissociation of SALL4 from NuRD.

A subcutaneously injected hydrogel conjugated with antibodies for interleukin-6 substantially reduces the levels of the cytokine during chimaeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy while maintaining its antitumour efficacy.

Agonists selectively targeting GPR119 hold promise for treating metabolic disorders. Here, authors reveal that GPR119 adopts a non-canonical consensus structural scaffold with an extended ligand-binding pocket for chemically different agonists.

SutA is a transcription factor which increases transcription activity of an RNA polymerase (RNAP). Here, authors present cryo-EM structures of SutA-bound RNAP-σ^S holoenzyme and SutA-bound transcription initiation complex, which reveals SutA wedging the RNAP-β lobe open to aid unwinding.

Immune cells infiltrating the tumour microenvironment play critical roles in disease pathogenesis and the immune response. Here the authors present the characterisation of infiltrating B cells in breast tumours by the formation of an atlas created from paired RNA sequence and antigen receptor profiling.

Emerging evidence suggests that exit from pluripotency is a regulated, rather than passive process. Here the authors identify a requirement for SS18-mediated Brg/Brahma-associated factors (BAF) chromatin remodeling complex assembly during exit from pluripotency, and that SS18 promotes BAF assembly through liquidliquid phase separation.

Stable lithium metal electrodes are needed to produce high-energy batteries. Here, authors reported poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate-co-sodium benzenesulfonate) as a lithium metal protective layer and the production of a 490 Wh/kg class Li | |LiNi_0.83Co_0.11Mn_0.06O₂ pouch cell.

There is currently no licensed SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Here, the authors generate an optimized DNA vaccine candidate encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen, demonstrating induction of specific T cells and neutralizing antibody responses in mice and guinea pigs. These initial results support further development of this vaccine candidate.

Yu, Zhou, Cao, He et al. show that BMP4 reconfigures the nuclear architecture during the transition from primed to naive pluripotency by targeting Zbtb7a and Zbtb7b, which encode proteins that mediate the opening of naive chromatin loci.

Electronic packaging causes piezoelectric sensors to be airtight, resulting in poor wearing comfort. To address this issue, the authors develop a 3D all-fiber piezoelectric sensor with sweat permeable using the advanced 3D textile technology.

Carbon-based single-atom catalysts usually rely on nitrogen co-doping to stabilize the single metal atoms as metal–N₄ moieties. Now, Wei, Yao and colleagues make use of operando techniques to show that under alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction conditions the Co–N₄ active site undergoes structural distortion to a HO–Co–N₂ configuration.

Inactivated COVID-19 vaccines have been widely used in China, but there is limited real-world evidence for their effectiveness in this setting. Here, the authors estimate effectiveness of inactivated vaccines for people aged 60 or older in Shanghai during a period when Omicron was the dominant circulating variant.

Researchers identify an E3 ligase SGD1 and its E2 partner responsible for grain yield control using foxtail millet, and reveal its conserved role in wheat, maize, and rice. Furthermore, SGD1 ubiquitinates the brassinosteroid receptor BRI1 thus stabilizing it and promoting grain yield in crops.

Treatment options for prevention and control of fatal H7N9 influenza infections remain limited. Here, the authors show that two human monoclonal antibodies protect mice against H7N9 strains when administered before or after H7N9 infection.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of transmembrane signaling proteins in humans and exhibit diverse activation mechanisms. Here, the authors combine electron microscopy, hydrogen deuterium exchange and Molecular dynamics simulations to gain insight into the activation mechanism of the glucagon receptor.

Functionalization of C–H bonds through direct hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) photocatalysis is an attractive synthetic reaction; however, many methods suffer from low catalytic efficiency. Now, the efficiency of direct HAT photocatalysis using photocatalyst eosin Y combined with Brønsted acids is reported, enabling the functionalization of unactivated C(sp³)–H bonds.

Structural studies of Escherichia coli transcription intrinsic termination complexes representing distinct intermediates using cryo-electron microscopy provide insights into the steps and mechanism of transcription termination.

BmrR is a member of the bacterial MerR transcription factor family that regulates the expression of the bacterial efflux pump Bmr. Here, the authors present the cryo-EM structure of a B. subtilis transcription activation complex (TAC) containing the RNA Polymerase (RNAP) core enzyme, σ^A, promoter DNA and ligand-bound BmrR, which reveals that in contrast to most other transcription factors BmrR does not directly interact with RNAP and instead activates transcription by modulating the shape of the core promoter.

Pre-engraftment syndrome is a major consideration during clinical application of unrelated cord blood transfusion and monocytes represent a critical cell type in immune-pathogenesis. Here the authors further establish the role of monocytes and GM-CSF in pre-engraftment syndrome and show clinical administration of tocilizumab limits pathology in pre-engraftment syndrome pathology in patients.

Somatic reprogramming involves both transcriptional and epigenetic resetting, but we don’t yet fully understand this process. Here they show that Jdp2, Glis1, Esrrb, and Sall4 can mediate reprogramming by recruiting the NuRD complex to close chromatin, highlighting a potential role in cell fate control.

Adaptive differentiation is poorly understood in marine systems. Here, the authors combine genome sequencing with gene expression and physiology to show that genetic divergence and plasticity contribute to local adaptation of Pacific oyster populations.

Crystal structures of PAFR in complex with the antagonist SR 27417 and the inverse agonist ABT-491, together with accompanying experiments, provide insight into recognition of PAF and reveal an unusual ligand-dependent conformation of helical bundle.

The date palm is one of the most economically important plants of the palm family. Here, the authors present a high-quality genome assembly of the date palm Phoenix dactylifera, and reveal insights into the unique sugar metabolism underlying fruit ripening.

A bedside-to-bench analysis identifies single-chain variable fragment linker length as an important component of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) structure and suggests that, in contrast to CD28-based CAR T cells, tonic signaling can be beneficial for 4-1BB-based CAR T cell function.

The synOptopatch approach enables all-optical access to synaptic communication via mutually exclusive expression of an optogenetic actuator and a voltage sensor in pre- and postsynaptic neurons, respectively.

Axially chiral allenes that are normally present in natural products, bioactive molecules, organocatalysts, and functional materials are usually produced from propargylic derivatives. Here, the authors show direct use of propargylic alcohols for catalytic asymmetric allene synthesis.