A Biofilm Channel Origin for Vermiform Microstructure in Carbonate Microbialites.

A three-dimensional tubular fabric known as "vermiform microstructure" in Phanerozoic and Neoproterozoic carbonate microbialites has been hypothesized to represent the body fossil of nonspicular keratose demosponges. If correct, this interpretation extends the sponge body fossil record and origin of animals to ~890 Ma. However, the veracity of the keratose sponge interpretation for vermiform microstructure remains in question, and the origin of the tubular fabric is enigmatic.

Inositol Hexaphosphate (InsP6) Activates the HDAC1/3 Epigenetic Axis to Maintain Intestinal Barrier Function.

HDACs (histone deacetylase) play a crucial role in regulating gene expression, and the inhibition of these enzymes is gaining attention as a promising therapeutic approach for cancer treatment. Despite their significant physiological and clinical importance, the mechanisms of HDAC activation remain poorly understood. This study reveals that inositol polyphosphate multikinase (IPMK) is essential for activating HDAC1 and HDAC3 in cell lines and mice.

Microbial Motility at the Bottom of North America: Digital Holographic Microscopy and Genomic Motility Signatures in Badwater Spring, Death Valley National Park.

Motility is widely distributed across the tree of life and can be recognized by microscopy regardless of phylogenetic affiliation, biochemical composition, or mechanism. Microscopy has thus been proposed as a potential tool for detection of biosignatures for extraterrestrial life; however, traditional light microscopy is poorly suited for this purpose, as it requires sample preparation, involves fragile moving parts, and has a limited volume of view. In this study, we deployed a field-portable digital holographic microscope (DHM) to explore microbial motility in Badwater Spring, a saline spring in Death Valley National Park, and complemented DHM imaging with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics.