Yayi Tu

Through rational defect design, engineering covalent organic frameworks (COFs) to overcome the issues of insufficient active sites and poor selectivity is an effective strategy. In this study, we successfully constructed a molecular unit-induced defect-engineered COF using a stoichiometric control strategy for efficiently capturing radioactive uranium from rare earth tailings wastewater. The rational introduction of a molecular unit-induced defect can alter the charge density of the COF, thereby enhancing the adsorption performance of the synthesized materials. Especially, the synergistic effect of carboxyl functional groups and defects effectively reduces the hydrophobicity of COF materials, alters the adsorption environment of the pores, and enhances the selectivity for uranyl ions. Impressively, the tailored defect COF exhibits a remarkable uranium adsorption capacity (551.8 mg/g) under pH 6. Furthermore, the selectivity of the defect COF remains as high as 94.5%, and the Kd value can reach up to 6.1 × 104 mL/g under actual rare earth tailings wastewater. These results demonstrate that the rational construction of defect engineering can markedly enhance the efficiency and selectivity of uranium adsorption on COFs. This work demonstrates that the rational construction of defect engineering in COFs provides an effective route for enhanced uranium sequestration.

Cordycepin (3’-deoxyadenosine), a major bioactive component derived from fungi of the genus Cordyceps, has garnered significant attention in recent years for its potent antitumor properties. Drawing on literature indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2004 to 2025, this study employs bibliometric tools―specifically CiteSpace and VOSviewer―to systematically examine developmental trends, research hotspots, and emerging frontiers in the field of cordycepin-related cancer research. The analysis maps a shift in focus from early-stage pharmacological validation to more advanced investigations into molecular mechanisms, with particular emphasis on cell cycle regulation. Keyword burst analysis highlights bursts in terms such as “apoptosis,” “cell cycle,” “gene,” and “expression,” underscoring that modulating the cell cycle to induce cancer cell apoptosis has become a central research theme. Building on these findings, the review further delineates the specific molecular mechanisms by which cordycepin regulates cell cycle progression in various tumor types―primarily through downregulation of Cyclin/CDK complexes, upregulation of p21 and p27, and activation of DNA damage response pathways. Additionally, growing evidence indicates that cordycepin's influence on gene expression and epigenetic modulation is emerging as a critical area of focus. Taken together, cordycepin demonstrates multitargeted potential in inhibiting tumor growth, positioning it as a promising candidate for natural anticancer drug development. Future research should prioritize pharmacokinetic characterization, investigation of combinatorial therapeutic strategies, and pathways toward clinical translation. Intracellular exposure appears to be shaped by two complementary axes: interference with 3'end polyadenylation and ENT1/ENT2-mediated uptake with ADA-catalyzed deamination.

Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) is a prized medicinal fungus and a rich source of bioactive compounds, notably cordycepin. While the cordycepin biosynth

In the soy sauce fermentation industry, Aspergillus oryzae (A. oryzae) plays an essential role and is frequently subjected to high salinity levels, which pose a significant osmotic stress. This environmental challenge necessitates the activation of stress response mechanisms within the fungus. The Zn(II)2Cys6 family of transcription factors, known for their zinc binuclear cluster-containing proteins, are key regulators in fungi, modulating various cellular functions such as stress adaptation and metabolic pathways. Overexpression of AozC decreased growth rates in the presence of salt, while its knockdown enhanced growth, the number of spores, and biomass, particularly under conditions of 15% salt concentration, doubling these metrics compared to the wild type. Conversely, the knockdown of AozC via RNA interference significantly enhanced spore density and dry biomass, particularly under 15% salt stress, where these parameters were markedly improved over the wild type strain. Moreover, the overexpression of AozC led to a downregulation of the FAD2 gene, a pivotal enzyme in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), which are essential for preserving cell membrane fluidity and integrity under saline conditions. Transcriptome profiling further exposed the influence of AozC on the regulation of UFA biosynthesis and the modulation of critical stress response pathways. Notably, the regulatory role of AozC in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and ABC transporters pathways was highlighted, underscoring its significance in cellular osmotic balance and endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. These findings collectively indicate that AozC functions as a negative regulator of salt tolerance in A. oryzae. This research suggest that AozC acts as a negative regulator in salt tolerance and modulates fatty acid biosynthesis in response to osmotic stress. These results provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of stress adaptation in A. oryzae.

Cysteine (Cys) is closely associated with many physiological and pathological processes in organisms and cells. The establishment of a molecular tool for the rapid and simple selective recognition of Cys would be of great benefit in the diagnosis and prevention of related diseases. In this paper, we developed a turn-on fluorescent probe BMBA, 3-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-4′-morpholino-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl acrylate, designed with an acryloyl ester group to initiate the reaction and a benzothiazole moiety serving as the fluorescent component. Compared with other biological thiols, the probe BMBA possessed exceptional sensitivity and specificity for detecting Cys, boasting a low detection limit at 28.6 nM and a response duration of merely 5 min. The single-crystal data for the probe BMBA and compound 2 were successfully obtained and the recognition mechanism of Cys was investigated by FTIR spectroscopy and ¹H NMR. Most importantly, we effectively utilized BMBA for the detection of Cys in calf serum and living cells.

Cordycepin, a key bioactive compound produced by Cordyceps militaris, faces the challenge of low productivity forcommercial use. In this study, alanine supplementation in Cordyceps militaris boosted cordycepin production, peakingat 3 mg/g with 12 g/L concentration. Transcriptome analysis revealed 1711 differentially expressed genes, Pathwayanalysis indicates that protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum was the most affected pathway. In addition, thetranscriptome showed that adenylosuccinate lyase is essential for the synthesis of cordycepin. The modulation of fourgenes (Cns1-4) points to a regulatory mechanism that could increase cordycepin biosynthesis, offering a strategy to overcome low productivity for commercial applications.

The molecular regulation of microbial metabolism Microorganisms are integral to ecosystems, serving as key producers of natural products with broad implications for pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industry (Jansson et al., 2023). Their metabolism drives the biodegradation of pollutants and the synthesis of essential compounds such as antibiotics and biofuels (Choi et al., 2023), influencing ecosystems ranging from soil microbiota to the human gut microbiome. This underscores the critical role of microorganisms in ecological balance and human health. Advancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying microbial metabolic regulation is crucial. Research has begun to unravel the complex interplay of enzymatic activities, regulatory networks, and adaptations, providing foundational knowledge that can be harnessed for innovative environmental and health applications (Liddicoat et al., 2024). The Research Topic titled "The Molecular Regulation of Microbial Metabolism" have illuminated key aspects of microbial metabolic regulation, shedding light on the intricate molecular mechanisms that govern metabolic pathways across various microbial species. Understanding enzymatic activities, regulatory networks, and metabolic adaptations in microorganisms has both advanced our basic knowledge of their physiology and spurred innovative applications in biotechnology and environmental science. Whole genome sequencing and computational models have clarified how microorganisms optimize metabolic fluxes. The qORAC theory explains their dynamic gene expression adjustments for maximal metabolic efficiency, often involving post-translational modifications of transcription factors and metabolites. This concept builds on the traditional view of metabolic reprogramming as a key to organismal adaptation (Planqué et al., 2018). The concept of "metabolic reprogramming" has traditionally been central to our understanding of how organisms adapt to new conditions through changes in gene expression. However, as Rothman et al. emphasize, the pre-existing metabolic state and the metabolic flexibility of organism are equally pivotal. Understanding the metabolic properties of organism before an environmental shift is crucial for comprehending its survival, subsequent genetic adaptations, and resulting phenotypes. This perspective calls for a more holistic approach to studying metabolic adaptations, one that recognizes the contributions of both metabolic and genetic factors.