🧬 biology

Coordinated adaptive changes in insulin, insulin receptor, and inceptor genes in hystricognath rodents

This study reveals that hystricognath rodents have evolved a unique, stepwise restructuring of glucose homeostasis through coordinated positive selection on insulin and inceptor genes, coupled with lineage-specific regulatory silencing and pseudogenization of the insulin receptor (INSR-B), resulting in diverse compensatory expression patterns across species like the degu, capybara, and guinea pig.

Melisa E. Magallanes Alba, Maite Hilario, Juan C. Opazo, Enrique P. Lessa2026-08-20
🧬 biology

Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Exhibit Differences in Inflammatory Gene Expression Based on Sex and Cannabis Use Pattern of the Donor: A Post-Hoc Analysis

This post-hoc analysis reveals that monocyte-derived macrophages exhibit sex-specific differences in baseline and cannabis-associated inflammatory gene expression, particularly within the NLRP3 and TREM2 pathways, with females showing higher baseline levels and distinct responses to cannabinoid stimulation compared to males.

Bryant Avalos, Elizabeth G. Searson, Kyle C. Walter, Kyle F. Mastropietro, Mary K. Ford, Gail Funk, Matthew Spencer, Jac (…)2026-08-20
🧬 biology

Human RIG-I Antiviral Deficiency Caused by a Dominant-Negative Variant Trapped in a Signaling-Inactive State

This study identifies a naturally occurring heterozygous G731R mutation in the RIG-I helicase motif VI that causes life-threatening COVID-19 by acting as a dominant-negative variant which binds viral RNA but fails to undergo the necessary conformational changes for signaling, thereby trapping the receptor in an inactive state and competitively inhibiting wild-type RIG-I function.

Smita Patel, Mihai Solotchi, Huie Jing, Emma Gebauer, Scott Novick, Bruce Pascal, Wesley Tung, Pranita Hanpude, Luigi Ap (…)2026-08-20
🧬 biology

A genome-wide cross-trait analysis reveals shared genetic architecture between essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease

This study reveals a significant shared genetic architecture between essential tremor and Parkinson's disease, identifying 58 independent loci and prioritizing specific genes and biological pathways that explain their clinical overlap and the increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease in individuals with essential tremor.

Linjing Zhang, Dongsheng Fan, Zhenhuang Zhuang, Wenxiu Wang, Jieying Wu, Shucheng Si, Yongping Zheng, Tao Huang2026-08-20
🧬 biology

Establishment and characterization of PUMC-DDCS1: a novel patient-derived cell line of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma

This study establishes and comprehensively characterizes PUMC-DDCS1, a novel patient-derived cell line of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma that exhibits high tumorigenicity, distinct multi-omics profiles, and specific drug sensitivities, serving as a valuable model for preclinical research and revealing the therapeutic potential of plectin inhibition via the AKT/ERK pathway.

Jian Yin, Yanan Bi, Zhengfeng Han, Yong Cui, Hailiang Feng, yuqin liu2026-08-20