Biophysics

Differential Interactions between Human ACE2 and Spike RBD of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern

1. Seonghan Kim
2. Yi Liu
3. Zewei Lei
4. Jeffrey Dicker
5. Yiwei Cao
6. X. Frank Zhang
7. Wonpil Im

Reviewed by ScreenIT

Minimal-invasive enhancement of auditory perception by terahertz wave modulation

1. Xiaoxuan Tan
2. Kaijie Wu
3. Shuang Liu
4. Yifang Yuan
5. Chao Chang
6. Wei Xiong

• Curated by eLife

  Evaluation Summary:

  The work investigates cochlear physiology by applying terahertz wave modulation to the outer hair cells (OHCs). Improved cochlea sensitivity and a change in potassium membrane current is demonstrated. The work is of clear interest to auditory neuroscientists and has the potential for future clinical interest.

  (This preprint has been reviewed by eLife. We include the public reviews from the reviewers here; the authors also receive private feedback with suggested changes to the manuscript. Reviewer #1 agreed to share their name with the authors.)

Reviewed by eLife

Molecular determinants of phase separation for Drosophila DNA replication licensing factors

1. Matthew W Parker
2. Jonchee A Kao
3. Alvin Huang
4. James M Berger
5. Michael R Botchan

• Curated by eLife

  Evaluation Summary:

  This paper studies the role of phase separation in replication initiation, with a focus on Cdt1. Sorting out the relative roles of phase separation and other mechanisms will require a detailed dissection of the amino acids driving phase separation, which can then be used to probe the role of phase separation in cells. Here the authors perform extensive and comprehensive analyses that are well done and that set the scene for a full dissection of the role of condensation in replication initiation inside cells.

  (This preprint has been reviewed by eLife. We include the public reviews from the reviewers here; the authors also receive private feedback with suggested changes to the manuscript. Reviewer #3 agreed to share their name with the authors.)

Reviewed by eLife

Functional architecture of pancreatic islets identifies a population of first responder cells that drive the first-phase calcium response

1. Vira Kravets
2. JaeAnn M. Dwulet
3. Wolfgang E. Schleicher
4. David J. Hodson
5. Anna M. Davis
6. Laura Pyle
7. Robert A. Piscopio
8. Maura Sticco-Ivins
9. Richard K. P. Benninger

• Curated by eLife

  Evaluation Summary:

  This paper provides interesting insights in the control of insulin secretion. The authors identify a subset of 'first responder' beta-cells (the cells that secrete insulin) that - possibly -influence the activity of other beta-cells. They characterise some of the properties of these cells and demonstrate the existence of a fascinating possible hierarchy within the islet. With the data consolidated by more rigorous statistical analyses, this paper will make a useful addition to the field.

  (This preprint has been reviewed by eLife. We include the public reviews from the reviewers here; the authors also receive private feedback with suggested changes to the manuscript. Reviewer #3 agreed to share their name with the authors.)

Reviewed by eLife

CTP promotes efficient ParB-dependent DNA condensation by facilitating one-dimensional diffusion from parS

1. Francisco de Asis Balaguer
2. Clara Aicart-Ramos
3. Gemma LM Fisher
4. Sara de Bragança
5. Eva M Martin-Cuevas
6. Cesar L Pastrana
7. Mark Simon Dillingham
8. Fernando Moreno-Herrero

• Curated by eLife

  Evaluation Summary:

  This study applies single-molecule the nanomechanical DNA manipulation together with the direct fluorescent visualization to examine the mechanism of assembly of bacterial partition/segregation complexes by the ParB protein and the ensuing condensation of parS-containing DNA. The experiments specifically show how this assembly and its DNA specificity are promoted by CTP. The authors convincingly show that following association at ParS, CTP-binding allowed ParB to diffusively spread along the DNA. ParB spreading along the DNA was in turn the prerequisite for DNA condensation mediated by this protein. Upon clarification of the ParB diffusive spreading mechanism and its activity under physiological circumstances, this study will be of broad interest to those studying protein-DNA interactions and cell division. The nanomechanical DNA condensation experiments together with the combined direct fluorescent visualization represent a helpful methodological development for future studies of this and similar systems.

  (This preprint has been reviewed by eLife. We include the public reviews from the reviewers here; the authors also receive private feedback with suggested changes to the manuscript. The reviewers remained anonymous to the authors.)

Reviewed by eLife

TMEM120A contains a specific coenzyme A-binding site and might not mediate poking- or stretch-induced channel activities in cells

1. Yao Rong
2. Jinghui Jiang
3. Yiwei Gao
4. Jianli Guo
5. Danfeng Song
6. Wenhao Liu
7. Mingmin Zhang
8. Yan Zhao
9. Bailong Xiao
10. Zhenfeng Liu

• Curated by eLife

  Evaluation Summary:

  The paper describes novel structures of a protein recently reported to function as a mechanosensitive ion channel. Surprisingly, the structures and functional data rather support the formerly suggested role of this protein in lipid metabolism. The paper is of relevance for ion channel field and for those interested in fatty acid metabolism.

  (This preprint has been reviewed by eLife. We include the public reviews from the reviewers here; the authors also receive private feedback with suggested changes to the manuscript. Reviewer #1 agreed to share their name with the authors.)

Reviewed by eLife

Structure insights, thermodynamic profiles, dsDNA melting activity, and liquid-liquid phase separation of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid N-terminal domain binding to DNA

1. Icaro Putinhon Caruso
2. Vitor dos Santos Almeida
3. Mariana Juliani do Amaral
4. Guilherme Caldas de Andrade
5. Gabriela Rocha de Araújo
6. Talita Stelling de Araújo
7. Jéssica Moreira de Azevedo
8. Glauce Moreno Barbosa
9. Leonardo Bartkevihi
10. Peter Reis Bezerra
11. Katia Maria dos Santos Cabral
12. Isabella Otênio Lourenço
13. Clara L. F. Malizia-Motta
14. Aline de Luna Marques
15. Nathane Cunha Mebus-Antunes
16. Thais Cristtina Neves-Martins
17. Jéssica Maróstica de Sá
18. Karoline Sanches
19. Marcos Caique Santana-Silva
20. Ariana Azevedo Vasconcelos
21. Marcius da Silva Almeida
22. Gisele Cardoso de Amorim
23. Cristiane Dinis Anobom
24. Andrea T. Da Poian
25. Francisco Gomes-Neto
26. Anderson S. Pinheiro
27. Fabio C. L. Almeida

Reviewed by ScreenIT

Mutation-induced changes in the receptor-binding interface of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant B.1.617.2 and implications for immune evasion

1. Prabin Baral
2. Nisha Bhattarai
3. Md Lokman Hossen
4. Vitalii Stebliankin
5. Bernard S. Gerstman
6. Giri Narasimhan
7. Prem P. Chapagain

Reviewed by ScreenIT

Unveiling mutation effects on the structural dynamics of the main protease from SARS-CoV-2 with hybrid simulation methods

1. P. Gasparini
2. E.A. Philot
3. S.Q. Pantaleão
4. N.E.S.M. Torres-Bonfim
5. A. Kliousoff
6. R.C.N. Quiroz
7. D. Perahia
8. R.P. Simões
9. A.J. Magro
10. A.L. Scott

Reviewed by ScreenIT

Effect of malaria parasite shape on its alignment at erythrocyte membrane

1. Anil K Dasanna
2. Sebastian Hillringhaus
3. Gerhard Gompper
4. Dmitry A Fedosov

• Curated by eLife

  Evaluation Summary:

  This manuscript studies the alignment of malaria parasites (merozoites) at the surface of red blood cells (RBCs), a key element of their reproduction cycle during the blood stage of the disease. Building on a computational model the authors developed previously, which incorporates the stochastic nature of RBC deformations and adhesive bonds between the merozoite and RBC, it is demonstrated that parasite shape plays a key role in its alignment dynamics. In particular, the authors shed new light on the egg-like shape typically observed in Plasmodium merozoites, which has important implications for how effectively the parasite can survive and multiply.

  (This preprint has been reviewed by eLife. We include the public reviews from the reviewers here; the authors also receive private feedback with suggested changes to the manuscript. Reviewer #1 agreed to share their name with the authors.)

Reviewed by eLife