Sebastian J. Hofer, Ghada Alsaleh, Anna Katharina Simon
{"title":"Metabolic control of RNA splicing by polyamines","authors":"Sebastian J. Hofer, Ghada Alsaleh, Anna Katharina Simon","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyamines are ancient metabolites that support growth, translation, and autophagy. <span><span>Zabala-Letona <em>et al</em></span><svg><path></path></svg></span><em>.</em> reveal a new mode of action—‘metabolic shielding’—in which polyamines protect phosphorylation motifs in spliceosomal factors. This work links polyamines, for the first time, to alternative splicing, raising new questions for cancer, aging, and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":"51 9","pages":"Pages 856-858"},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148337417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Structure and dynamics of the Nipah virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase","authors":"Fernanda A. Sala, Hauke S. Hillen","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.06.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.06.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic, nonsegmented, negative-sense RNA virus (nsNSV) from the <em>Mononegavirales</em> order that causes frequent outbreaks, with no approved treatment available. Replication and transcription of its genome are carried out by a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) complex composed of the large catalytic protein (L) and the tetrameric phosphoprotein (P). Recently, structural insights into the NiV RdRp complex have emerged at an unprecedented pace. In particular, snapshots of the complex in precatalytic, early-elongation, and inhibitor-bound states have been reported. In this article, we review how these data shed light on the molecular mechanisms of RNA synthesis and inhibition in NiV and explore how these insights expand our understanding of nsNSV RdRps in general.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":"51 9","pages":"Pages 924-936"},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148468266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Aerotrophy: life on atmospheric energy sources","authors":"Chris Greening, James D. Archer","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.07.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The atmosphere is increasingly recognised as a major energy source supporting life. Numerous microbes, termed aerotrophs, use high-affinity enzymes to harvest energy from atmospheric hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. This metabolism shapes atmospheric chemistry and sustains biodiversity across diverse ecosystems. This primer summarises the basis, roles, and significance of aerotrophy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":"51 9","pages":"Pages 865-867"},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148590015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The structural basis of CatSper function in sperm motility and fertilization.","authors":"Shiyi Lin, Shaojie Wang, Jianping Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.07.016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2026.07.016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cation channel of sperm (CatSper) is the principal Ca<sup>2+</sup> entry pathway governing sperm hyperactivated motility, a process essential for successful fertilization and male fertility in sexually reproducing animals. Recent structural studies of native mouse CatSper, together with in situ analyses in mouse and human sperm, have transformed our understanding of how its unique multisubunit architecture underpins channel assembly, gating, and higher-order organization along the sperm flagellum. These advances have also provided insights into the evolutionary diversification of CatSper and the spatial organization of Ca<sup>2+</sup> signaling required for sperm function. In this review, we summarize recent progress in elucidating CatSper structure, mechanism, evolution, and physiological function, and discuss the implications for male infertility and the structure-guided development of nonhormonal male contraceptives.</p>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148823943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A formyl axis links metabolism to translation.","authors":"Christof Niehrs","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.08.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2026.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Initiator methionine tRNA is a key regulator of translation and cell growth. Recent work places formyl chemistry as a regulatory nexus across three molecular layers. In the protein layer, N-formylmethionine supports initiator tRNA recognition and stress-responsive proteostasis pathways. In the RNA layer, 5-formylcytidine at C34 of mitochondrial tRNA<sup>Met</sup> expands AUG/AUA decoding. In the DNA layer, 5-formylcytosine activates polymerase III transcription of tRNA<sub>i</sub><sup>Met</sup> gene clusters during frog zygotic genome activation. Despite distinct formylation routes and readouts, these layers converge on translational regulation and share metabolic dependencies. One-carbon metabolism supplies methyl/formyl precursors, while mitochondrial and oxidative states influence formyl-mark installation through redox balance and α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase activity. Together, these layers suggest a formyl-dependent rheostat linking metabolic state to translation capacity.</p>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148786844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Skylar D King, Krista M Angileri, Cynthia Lebel, Alison L Antes
{"title":"Practical tools for building neuroinclusive research environments.","authors":"Skylar D King, Krista M Angileri, Cynthia Lebel, Alison L Antes","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.07.012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2026.07.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The framework and practical tools presented in this article enable neurodivergent scientists, mentors, research teams, and institutions to better understand the cognitive and environmental factors that shape scientific work. By normalizing transparency, continuous learning, and iterative improvement, this framework and its practical tools foster inclusive research cultures that unlock scientific potential and accelerate discovery.</p>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148688405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Krista M Angileri, Cynthia Lebel, Gabrielle Farulla-Bastian, Mwiza Ushe, Alison L Antes, Skylar D King
{"title":"Driving scientific discovery through neurodivergent cognitive strengths.","authors":"Krista M Angileri, Cynthia Lebel, Gabrielle Farulla-Bastian, Mwiza Ushe, Alison L Antes, Skylar D King","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.07.011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibs.2026.07.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Scientific innovation thrives on diverse problem-solving for modern interdisciplinary challenges. Neurodivergent scientists provide unique perspectives essential for high-impact discovery. We use the 'Neurodiversity Iceberg' to show how cognitive strengths drive innovative research and to offer a plan for mentors and institutions to tap into the potential of their entire scientific workforce.</p>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148683129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Functional diversity, evolution, and translational potential of isoprenoids in eukaryotic membranes","authors":"Magdalena Escobar Oliva, Kristina W. Rothchild, Isabelle Guo, Catherine Xu, Codruta Ignea","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.04.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.04.014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eukaryotic membranes interact with numerous metabolites to fulfill diverse functions. Among these molecules, isoprenoids stand out as key components. The remarkable structural diversity of isoprenoids allows them to modulate membrane fluidity, stability, permeability, and organization. This review highlights recent findings on the evolution, diversity, roles, and effects of isoprenoids and isoprenoid-derived compounds in biological membranes. We focus on their significance as integral or associated components of eukaryotic cell membranes, including those of plants, fungi, and animals, emphasizing how their structures influence their ability to modulate membrane properties. Lastly, we address current advances and limitations in the production of membrane-relevant isoprenoids using synthetic biology, highlighting additional discoveries about membrane-relevant isoprenoid storage, regulation, and protein interactions made along the way.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":"51 8","pages":"Pages 827-843"},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147979942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Building scientific communities for the future of the molecular life sciences: The role of FEBS","authors":"Miguel A. De la Rosa","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.06.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.06.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since 1964, the Federation of European Biochemical Societies has supported the molecular life sciences through scientific exchange, training, international collaboration, and publishing. This study provides an overview of the organisation’s evolution, activities, initiatives, and its contributions to supporting researchers and scientific communities across Europe and beyond.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":"51 8","pages":"Pages 749-751"},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148683072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thermospermine drives dual-action ribosomes to shape plant xylem development","authors":"Hsin-Yen Larry Wu, Polly Yingshan Hsu","doi":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.04.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibs.2026.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The formation of xylem vessels depends on a balance between transcription factors SACLs and LHW, whose translation is controlled by thermospermine. <span><span>A recent study</span><svg><path></path></svg></span> shows that a conserved rRNA methylation by OVERACHIEVER enables thermospermine binding, allowing ribosomes to oppositely regulate <em>SACL</em> and <em>LHW</em> translation to direct plant xylem cell fate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":440,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Biochemical Sciences","volume":"51 8","pages":"Pages 752-754"},"PeriodicalIF":14.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147809057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}