eLife

Latest preprint reviews

1. CNN-based learning of single-cell transcriptomes reveals a blood-detectable multi-cancer signature of brain metastasis

   This article has 4 authors:

   1. Ryan Lusby
   2. Debojyoti Chowdhury
   3. Sarah Carl
   4. Vijay K Tiwari

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     This important study describes a deep learning framework that analyzes single-cell RNA data to identify a tumor-agnostic gene signature associated with brain metastases. The identified signature uncovers key molecular mechanisms, highlights potential therapeutic targets, and demonstrates a metastasis-specific transcriptional signal in circulating platelets, suggesting its promise for non-invasive diagnostics through liquid biopsy. The evidence supporting the findings is solid, utilizing interpretable deep learning methodologies and large-scale datasets across multiple cancer types, though some aspects may benefit from additional analysis and validation.

   Reviewed by eLife

2. Differential locus coeruleus–hippocampus interactions during offline states

   This article has 2 authors:

   1. Mingyu Yang
   2. Oxana Eschenko

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     This important study provides new insights into the neuronal dynamics of the locus coeruleus in relation to hippocampal sharp-wave ripples. Using high-temporal-resolution, multi-site electrophysiological recordings in rats, the authors present solid evidence supporting their main claims. Nonetheless, some aspects of the evidence remain incomplete, and several points in the data presentation would benefit from clarification. Overall, the work will be of interest to neuroscientists studying large-scale brain coordination and memory processes.

   Reviewed by eLife

3. The chromatin remodeller CHD4 regulates transcription factor binding to both prevent activation of silent enhancers and maintain active regulatory elements

   This article has 10 authors:

   1. Andria Koulle
   2. Oluwaseun Ogundele
   3. Devina Shah
   4. India Baker
   5. Maya Lopez
   6. David Lando
   7. Nicola Reynolds
   8. Ramy Ragheb
   9. Ernest D Laue
   10. Brian Hendrich

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     This work offers important insights into the protein CHD4's function in chromatin remodeling and gene regulation in embryonic stem cells, supported by extensive biochemical, genomic, and imaging data. The use of an inducible degron system allows precise functional analysis, and the datasets generated represent a key resource for the field. The revised study offers compelling evidence and makes a significant contribution to understanding CHD4's role in epigenetic regulation. This work will be of interest to the epigenetics and stem biology fields.

   Reviewed by eLife

4. Endosome-associated Rab GTPases control distinct aspects of neural circuit assembly

   This article has 5 authors:

   1. Katherine X Dong
   2. Hui Ji
   3. David J Luginbuhl
   4. Liqun Luo
   5. Colleen N McLaughlin

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     Dong et al. present a valuable analysis of mutant phenotypes of the Rab GTPases Rab5, Rab7, and Rab11 in Drosophila second-order olfactory neuron development. This is a solid characterization and comparison of the different Rab mutants on projection neuron development, with clear differences for the three Rabs, and by inference for the early, late, and recycling endosomal functions executed by each.

   Reviewed by eLife

5. Redirection of SARS-CoV-2 to phagocytes by intranasal sACE2-Fc as a universal decoy confers complete prophylactic protection

   This article has 11 authors:

   1. Jingyi Wang
   2. Jiangchuan Li
   3. Alex W Chin
   4. Bin Luo
   5. Junkang Wei
   6. Jiale Qiu
   7. Jianwei Ren
   8. Yin Xia
   9. Thomas Braun
   10. Leo LM Poon
   11. Bo Feng

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     This manuscript presents a valuable antiviral approach using an engineered ACE2-Fc fusion protein that demonstrates broad-spectrum neutralization capacity against SARS-CoV-2 variants and achieves significant prophylactic protection in animal models through a novel Fc-mediated phagocytosis mechanism. The study provides convincing evidence for protective efficacy through rigorous in vivo validation in mice, mechanistic characterization via biodistribution studies and macrophage depletion assays, and demonstration of antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis as the primary clearance mechanism. However, there are some gaps that require attention, including the need for comparison with a previously reported ACE2 decamer, inclusion of control molecules, insufficient discussion of potential limitations such as off-target binding and immunogenicity risks, and lack of clarity regarding certain methodological aspects.

   Reviewed by eLife

6. Spatially heterogeneous inhibition projects sequential activity onto unique neural subspaces

   This article has 3 authors:

   1. Andrew B Lehr
   2. Arvind Kumar
   3. Christian Tetzlaff

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     This valuable study uses mathematical modeling and analysis to address the question of how neural circuits generate distinct low-dimensional, sequential neural dynamics that can change on fast, behaviorally relevant timescales. The authors propose a circuit model in which spatially heterogeneous inhibition constrains network dynamics to sequential activity on distinct neural subspaces and allows top-down sequence selection on fast timescales. The study convincingly demonstrates how this mechanism could operate and makes predictions about connectivity patterns and dynamics.

   Reviewed by eLife

7. Bivalent mRNA booster encoding virus-like particles elicits potent polyclass receptor-binding domain antibodies in pre-vaccinated mice

   This article has 13 authors:

   1. Chengcheng Fan
   2. Alexander A Cohen
   3. Kim-Marie A Dam
   4. Annie V Rorick
   5. Ange-Célia I Priso Fils
   6. Zhi Yang
   7. Priyanthi NP Gnanapragasam
   8. Luisa N Segovia
   9. Kathryn E Huey-Tubman
   10. Woohyun J Moon
   11. Paulo JC Lin
   12. Pamela J Bjorkman
   13. Magnus AG Hoffmann

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     This useful and interesting study provides evidence that EABR mRNA is at least as effective as standard S mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. The authors provide convincing justification for the conclusion that the inconsistent statistical significance for Omicron is likely due to immune imprinting or original antigenic sin. In this regard, the significance of the findings is stronger as it points to possible challenges for updated vaccine strategies in overcoming immune imprinting.

   Reviewed by eLife

8. Bidirectional translocation of actomyosin drives epithelial invagination in ascidian siphon tube morphogenesis

   This article has 6 authors:

   1. Jinghan Qiao
   2. Pengyu Yu
   3. Hongzhe Peng
   4. Wenjie Shi
   5. Bo Li
   6. Bo Dong

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     This useful study uses a combination of experimental and modeling approaches to investigate the role of actomyosin in epithelial invagination during Ciona siphon tube morphogenesis. Several types of solid quantitative analyses are presented, yet the evidence supporting the central claim of bidirectional translocation of actomyosin remains incomplete. Since epithelial invagination contributes to the morphogenesis of many developing organs, this work has the potential to appeal to both cell biologists and developmental biologists.

   Reviewed by eLife

9. Analysis of cancer mutations introduced into the Drosophila Notch Negative Regulatory Region uncovers a diversity of regulatory outcomes

   This article has 2 authors:

   1. Hideyuki Shimizu
   2. Martin Baron

   This article has been curated by 1 group:

   • Curated by eLife

     eLife Assessment

     This important study presents a technically rigorous and carefully controlled analysis of the signalling potential of cancer-associated gain-of-function Notch alleles. The work is clearly presented, and the experiments are robust, comprehensive, and well-controlled. While some data primarily establish the system or report negative findings, the comparative approach in a well-characterized model provides convincing mechanistic evidence for how these Notch variants function. This study will be of interest to researchers in both developmental and cancer biology.

   Reviewed by eLife

10. Role of tankyrase scaffolding in the β-catenin destruction complex and WNT signaling

    This article has 17 authors:

    1. Qian Wang
    2. Liping Li
    3. Lin You
    4. Shuai Wang
    5. Lei Han
    6. Bingnan Wang
    7. Liping Yao
    8. Yong Lu
    9. Ilgen Mender
    10. Ann M Flusche
    11. Chiho Kim
    12. Nageswari Yarravarapu
    13. Andrew Lemoff
    14. Lawrence Lum
    15. Jerry W Shay
    16. Yonghao Yu
    17. Chuo Chen

    This article has been curated by 1 group:

    • Curated by eLife

      eLife Assessment

      This important study reports the development of the first tankyrase degrader and demonstrates its enhanced ability to inhibit β-catenin signaling compared to conventional tankyrase inhibitors. The evidence supporting the conclusions is comprehensive and convincing, based on rigorous biochemical and cellular analyses. The findings will be of broad interest to researchers studying Wnt signaling, protein degradation, and cancer biology.

    Reviewed by eLife