Publications by authors named "Junfei Wen"
RNA modifications: emerging players in the regulation of reproduction and development.
Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai)
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- The text explores the complex landscape of RNA modifications, known as the epitranscriptome, highlighting over 170 identified modifications that significantly influence RNA metabolism and various biological processes.
- It specifically examines key RNA modifications and their effects on mRNA, tRNA, and rRNA during mammalian reproduction and embryonic development, detailing how these modifications impact RNA processing and function.
- The review emphasizes the linkage between RNA modification dysfunctions and diseases, underlining their importance in critical developmental events, while also suggesting areas for future research to better understand these processes.
Vertebrate myoblast fusion allows for multinucleated muscle fibers to compound the size and strength of mononucleated cells, but the evolution of this important process is unknown. We investigated the evolutionary origins and function of membrane-coalescing agents Myomaker and Myomixer in various groups of chordates. Here, we report that likely arose through gene duplication in the last common ancestor of tunicates and vertebrates, while appears to have evolved de novo in early vertebrates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMyoblast fusion is essential for formations of myofibers, the basic cellular and functional units of skeletal muscles. Recent genetic studies in mice identified two long-sought membrane proteins, Myomaker and Myomixer, which cooperatively drive myoblast fusion. It is unknown whether and how human muscles, with myofibers of tremendously larger size, use this mechanism to achieve multinucleations.
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