This study reports a congenital heart disease, characterized by ventricular wall thinning and septal defects, caused by a heterozygous missense mutation (R755 W) in the glycolytic gene PFKP (platelet isoform of phosphofructokinase-1). The pathogenic mechanism involves the PFKP mutation impairing enzyme activity, which inhibits cardiomyocyte proliferation and leads to the thinning of the compact myocardium. In the mouse model, we found that administering the downstream metabolite, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, reversed the myocardial hypoplasia in fetal mice, providing proof-of-concept for in utero intervention. Clinically, we successfully prevented the transmission of the disease using preimplantation genetic testing, resulting in the birth of a healthy infant.

The generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) carrying defined chromosomal aneuploidies provides a powerful platform for modeling genetic disorders. However, establishing a reliable and reproducible reprogramming pipeline for aneuploid AFCs remains technically challenging due to the intrinsic genomic instability and variable proliferative capacity of these cells. Here, we present a comprehensive, non-integrating method for generating aneuploid human iPSCs from primary AFCs using episomal plasmid electroporation. This protocol details the complete workflow, encompassing cell thawing and expansion with a gradual media adaptation strategy, optimized plasmid delivery via electroporation system, sequential post-electroporation culture with mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET)-directed media changes, and mechanical colony picking based on defined morphological criteria. We further describe validation procedures, including immunofluorescence staining for core pluripotency markers, G-banding karyotype analysis to confirm aneuploid karyotype maintenance, and PCR-based episomal vector clearance verification. This feeder-free, integration-free protocol yields aneuploid iPSC lines suitable for disease modeling, drug screening, and studies of chromosome biology.

BACKGROUND:Hydrosalpinx affects 10-30% of infertile women, creating a hostile tubal microenvironment that impairs embryonic development. Although fluid embryotoxicity is recognised, specific toxic metabolites and their molecular mechanisms remain elusive. METHODS:We performed untargeted metabolomics on fallopian tube fluid from 49 patients with hydrosalpinx and 52 controls. The functional impact of the identified key metabolite, inosine, was validated in mouse embryos both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanisms were deciphered using integrated transcriptome and translatome sequencing (T&T-seq), and the inosine-induced embryonic arrest was rescued by the purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) inhibitor forodesine and siPNP. FINDINGS:Purine metabolism was the most significantly upregulated pathway in hydrosalpinx fluid, with inosine being a highly elevated metabolite. Functional studies demonstrated that inosine induced a developmental arrest at the 2- to 4-cell stage in mouse embryos. Multi-omics analysis revealed that inosine disrupted the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) and significantly reduced global translation efficiency, leading to cytoskeletal dysfunction and suppression of zygotic genome activation. Critically, both the PNP inhibitor forodesine and siPNP partially rescued the inosine-induced embryonic arrest. INTERPRETATION:Our findings establish inosine accumulation as a key metabolic cause of embryonic arrest in hydrosalpinx, functioning through the disruption of translation efficiency and the MZT process. This study not only provides a mechanistic understanding of tubal factor infertility but also highlights the PNP pathway as a potential target for non-surgical interventions to improve fertility. FUNDING:National Key R&D Program of China (2022YFC2702204 and 2023YFA1800300), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under the Youth Student Basic Research Project (Grant No. 825B2046), and NSFC (82201838 and 82495190).

Aneuploidy is the most common genetic abnormality in human embryos and is one of the leading causes of embryo transfer failure. We aimed to identify candidate genes linked to mitotic-origin aneuploidy. A control group of 588 euploid embryos and a case group of 236 mosaic embryos were utilized. Sequence alignment was first conducted to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. Quality control (QC) and principal component analysis (PCA) were then performed to filter the SNPs and samples. The association test was carried out to identify significant variants. Fine mapping and gene sorting were used to screen and sort the candidate genes. Following variant identification, 10,650,011 SNPs were detected in 824 enrolled embryos. After quality control (QC), principal component analysis (PCA), and imputation, 496,728 SNPs across 762 embryos (226 cases and 536 controls) were retained. Association analysis identified 70 SNPs reaching genome-wide significance (p < 5e−8). Following annotation, 37 variants within 27 genes were considered functional. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed enrichment in innate immune and protein homeostasis pathways. Fine mapping and gene prioritization highlighted EMP2 as a candidate gene of mitotic error. We found that EMP2 may play a critical role in cell-cycle control and endometrial receptivity. In this study, we performed genome-wide association analysis on embryonic sequencing data and identified EMP2 on chromosome 16 as a potential gene implicated in mitotic-origin aneuploidy. Further verification experiments are required to confirm the functions of candidate genes during embryogenesis.

Early embryonic development in mammals involves extensive intercellular communication and interaction. The rapidly changing signaling pathways, governed by signaling pathway-related genes (SPGs), underlie these intricate communication networks and mediate a series of developmental events, including blastulation and gastrulation. However, the detailed expression patterns of SPGs remain to be clearly illustrated. In this study, we used mouse and human transcriptomic and epigenomic data to systematically depict the dynamics of signaling pathway networks during early embryonic development. Our results indicate that zygotic genome activation (ZGA) triggers considerable remodeling of SPGs transcriptional patterns, which coincides with noticeably elevated promoter accessibility after ZGA in both humans and mice. In addition, most SPGs are maternally inherited and are more conserved between humans and mice compared to those activated by the zygotic genome. Interestingly, we found that various extracellular matrix (ECM)-related signaling pathways were highly enriched during early embryogenesis. Two enriched and conserved receptors in several ECM-related pathways, SDC1 and SDC4, were expressed on the cell membrane from oocyte to blastocyst stage both in humans and mice. Knockdown of Sdc1 and Sdc4 in mice resulted in an impaired developmental rate from the 8-cell stage via different mechanisms. Collectively, our study provides new insights into understanding the underlying mechanisms of early embryo development.

Steroid hormones serve as critical biomarkers reflecting human physiological endocrine status, once excreted and accumulated in aquatic environments, these compounds transform into typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that threaten human health and aquatic ecosystems even at trace concentrations. To investigate the presence and risk of steroids in the human - environment cycle, this study developed and validated a robust, sensitive, and reproducible method based on solid-phase extraction coupled with ultra-high liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry for the quantification of 16 steroids across multiple matrices - plasma, urine and wastewater. The method was fully validated according to EMA guidelines, showing excellent linearity (R2 > 0.99 for all analytes), recoveries ranging from 84.79% to 111.57% across all matrices, and precision with intra-day RSDs of 0.55–11.54% and inter-day RSDs of 1.69–10.37%. Matrix effects were effectively corrected using isotopically labeled standards, ranging from 85.61% to 113.04%. The total analysis time was 7 minutes per sample. The detection rate of 87.5%, 100%, and 100% of target analytes in real plasma, urine, and wastewater matrices, respectively, demonstrated the feasibility of the method for multi-matrix applications. Substantial concentration differences were observed across matrices, with DHEAS being the most abundant analyte in all sample types. This multi-matrix approach enables comprehensive monitoring of steroid exposure from individual to population levels, supporting environmental health assessments and wastewater–based epidemiology analysis.

STUDY QUESTION:Can preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic defects (PGT-M) be achieved by performing third-generation sequencing (TGS) only on the proband for families with de novo variants or incomplete pedigrees? SUMMARY ANSWER:Whole-genome TGS facilitates a simplified PGT-M workflow by establishing reliable haplotypes solely from proband sequencing involving de novo variants or incomplete pedigrees. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY:PGT-M enables the accurate exclusion of embryos carrying pathogenic variants. However, its application to de novo variants or incomplete pedigrees is hindered by haplotype phasing. Moreover, direct variant detection suffers from detection failure and erroneous genotyping due to uneven coverage and allele dropout caused by whole-genome amplification. Current solutions, such as gamete or embryo analysis and targeted TGS, remain constrained by procedural complexity and lack of universality across different genes and mutation types. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION:This prospective study enrolled 16 families requiring PGT-M with de novo variants or incomplete pedigrees at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Peking University Third Hospital from July 2023 to August 2025. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS:This study included 9 families with incomplete pedigrees and 7 families with de novo variants, covering 10 distinct disease-causing genes or regions. To assess the capability of TGS for haplotype phasing, we evaluated its performance regarding genomic coverage and the retrieval of informative single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Haplotypes were constructed using proband TGS data, and linkage analysis was performed by integrating linked heterozygous SNPs with next-generation sequencing data from the couple and embryos to determine pathogenic status. Subsequently, we developed a simplified strategy that inferred inheritance by comparing heterozygous SNPs from the proband's haplotype directly against corresponding homozygous sites in the embryos. The diagnostic outcomes of this simplified workflow were statistically evaluated and compared with those of the standard TGS strategy to assess concordance. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE:Phase blocks generated by TGS achieved >75% coverage for the vast majority of OMIM genes, most of which contained more than 100 heterozygous informative SNPs located in the gene body and their 1 Mb flanking regions, indicating a wide range of applicability in a variety of gene variants. Haplotypes were successfully constructed for all 16 enrolled families using TGS data, with 14 families having completed embryo testing, while the 2 families withdrew due to personal reasons. To date, prenatal diagnosis via amniocentesis in three families has confirmed the fetuses to be free of pathogenic variants. A simplified strategy was further applied to 14 families that completed the embryo testing process. This approach achieved applicability rates of 91.9% and 80.0% in embryos from non-D4Z4 and D4Z4 families, respectively. While diagnosis was precluded in a subset of embryos due to aneuploidy or insufficient SNP retrieval, the diagnostic outcomes for all remaining embryos were fully concordant with those of the standard TGS strategy. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION:The applicability of this approach is primarily contingent upon embryo chromosomal euploidy and sufficient retrieval of informative SNPs. Additionally, the relatively high cost of whole-genome TGS remains a barrier to widespread adoption. Given the limited cohort size (n = 16) of this study, the applicability of this method necessitates further validation in larger clinical populations. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS:Direct haplotype construction via proband whole-genome TGS provides an effective clinical strategy to expand the applicability of PGT-M, particularly for families with de novo variants or incomplete pedigrees. Furthermore, the simplified TGS workflow demonstrates the potential to improve clinical efficiency and reduce costs relative to the standard TGS protocol within its applicable scope. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S):This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82125013, 82288102, 825B2046). The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:N/A.

Preimplantation embryogenesis requires precise synchronization of transcriptional activation, mRNA export and translation, and metabolic reprogramming to sustain developmental requirements. Nuclear cap-binding protein 1 (NCBP1), a conserved subunit of the cap-binding complex, has established roles in mRNA processing and export in somatic cells, but its potential functions in preimplantation embryogenesis remain undefined. The spatiotemporal expression dynamics of Ncbp1 were explored on multiple levels. After microinjecting interfering RNA at zygotic stage to knockdown Ncbp1, embryonic developmental competence was evaluated. Co-injection of small interfering RNA and in vitro transcribed Ncbp1 mRNA into the zygote was used to rescue the knockdown phenotype. Further, poly-adenylated RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization, RNA sequencing, and quantitative proteomics were used to investigate the effects of Ncbp1 knockdown. In addition, oleic acid (OA) supplementation was used to rescue developmental abnormalities. NCBP1 exhibited dynamic spatiotemporal expression coinciding with nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation of protein from morula stage. Depletion of Ncbp1 caused morula arrest or fragmentation, accompanied by nuclear poly-adenylated RNA retention and down-regulation of lipid metabolic pathways, notably, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), a key enzyme generating monounsaturated OA. Exogenous OA supplementation partially rescued blastocyst formation, implicating NCBP1 in the regulation of SCD1-OA-mediated metabolic homeostasis during morula-to-blastocyst transition. This study illustrates NCBP1 as a mediator that regulates RNA export and lipid homeostasis during early mouse embryo development. Especially NCBP1 regulates the SCD1-OA metabolic pathways, ensuring metabolic flexibility essential for successful morula-to-blastocyst transition, thereby providing new insights into the molecular basis of embryonic developmental competence.

BACKGROUND:Oocyte cryopreservation is widely used in assisted reproductive technology, but its effects on embryonic development remain a concern. This study aimed to determine whether oocyte cryopreservation induces transcriptional alterations at the early cleavage and blastocyst stages. METHODS:We performed single-cell RNA sequencing on mouse Metaphase II oocyte and embryos at early/late 1 cell, early/late 2 cell, morula and blastocyst stages derived from cryopreserved (cryo) and fresh (fresh) oocytes. Transcriptomic profiles were compared between the two groups. RESULTS:Global transcriptomes were highly similar between cryo and fresh blastocysts. Oocyte cryopreservation did not alter the sex ratio or the developmental progression through preimplantation development. In blastocysts, cryopreservation affected only a few individual genes. In both male and female blastocysts, although oocyte cryopreservation increased the proportion of low Xist-expressing cells, it did not disrupt X-linked gene dosage. In the inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocysts, a negative correlation between X-linked gene expression and cell cycle progression was identified, and this negative correlation was more pronounced in trophectoderm (TE) cells. Overall, this stage-dependent coordination remained unperturbed by cryopreservation. CellChat analysis revealed that the signalling interaction strength between ICM and TE also showed no significant changes in the cryo group. CONCLUSIONS:Oocyte cryopreservation does not severely disrupt overall transcriptional integrity, developmental potency and X-chromosome dosage compensation of embryos, but it may cause subtle molecular changes. These findings highlight the need for continued refinement of cryopreservation methods and further investigation into the sub-acute safety of assisted reproductive technology procedures.

The progression of spermatogenesis is under dynamic transcriptional regulation. As a subunit of the transcription-export complex 2 (TREX-2), PCI domain-containing protein 2 (PCID2), participates in RNA processing. However, the physiological functions of PCID2 in spermatogenesis remain poorly understood. Here, we generate germline conditional knockout (Pcid2-SKO) mice using Stra8-Cre, and it is found that Pcid2-SKO mice are infertile, exhibit extensive germ cell apoptosis, impaired spermatogonial differentiation, and failure of meiosis initiation. Single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals developmental arrest at the transition from type A to type B spermatogonia in Pcid2-SKO mice. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) demonstrates a significant decrease in the enrichment of mRNA splicing pathway in Pcid2-SKO germ cells. IP-MS results indicate candidate proteins interacting with PCID2 are significantly enriched in RNA splicing pathway. Co-IP results indicate that PCID2 interacts with SNRPG, hnRNPH1 and SF3B1 to modulate alternative splicing in germ cells. Combining RNA sequencing and PCR identifies four key genes (Prpf3, Nek3, Dvl2, and Slc30a9) as splicing targets of PCID2. Collectively, PCID2 is essential for normal spermatogenesis and male fertility by regulating the alternative splicing (AS) of genes critical for cell cycle progression, spliceosome assembly, and mitochondrial homeostasis. This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis and highlights the importance of AS in germ cell development.

Maintaining the primordial follicle pool and precisely regulating folliculogenesis are critical for female fertility. Despite advances in understanding ovarian development, the molecular mechanisms safeguarding follicle survival and oocyte maturation remain incompletely defined. Here, we identify YPEL5 as an essential regulator of folliculogenesis and oocyte development. Using an oocyte-specific conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model, we demonstrate that Ypel5 deletion causes complete female infertility, characterized by accelerated depletion of the primordial follicle pool, defective antral follicle formation, and impaired oocyte maturation. Loss of Ypel5 results in increased DNA damage, disrupted mitochondrial homeostasis, elevated oxidative stress, and ultimately triggers apoptotic depletion of primordial follicle oocytes. Moreover, Ypel5-deficient oocytes exhibit severe abnormalities in spindle organization and mitochondrial distribution, culminating in defective oocyte maturation. Collectively, these findings establish YPEL5 as a critical regulator of follicle development and oocyte maturation, and provide mechanistic insights into the molecular basis of female infertility.

Oocyte-specific isoforms play crucial roles in oocyte maturation, while current understanding of the oocyte transcriptome is mainly focused on gene level. Here, we utilize single-cell full-length isoform sequencing to detect entire transcripts in human and mouse oocytes. Isoform diversity during oocyte maturation is systematically profiled, including 7154 and 4875 putative novel human and mouse transcripts, respectively. More than half of novel isoforms are categorized as novel-not-in-catalog (NNC) and may serve specific functions in oocytes. For example, ARHGAP18 mainly encoded by novel isoforms colocalizes with microtubules, and targeted knockdown of novel isoforms disrupts oocyte maturation. Moreover, approximately 30% of NNC isoforms are derived from transposable elements, and their incorporation within transcripts could enhance isoform stability during oocyte maturation. Altogether, our findings represent a valuable resource showcasing the complexity and diversity of RNA isoforms in oocytes, as well as transposable element co-option for novel isoform generation and isoform stability enhancement.

Advanced maternal age is a key factor in female infertility, primarily due to declines in ovarian reserve and oocyte quality. However, the metabolic mechanisms underlying reproductive aging remain unclear. Here, we show that uridine levels in the plasma and ovaries of aged mice are significantly reduced compared with young controls. Building on this, we find that uridine supplementation significantly improves meiotic maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development of aged oocytes, both in vivo and in vitro. Further microtranscriptomic analyses reveal that uridine enhances oocyte quality by inhibiting ferroptosis and enhancing mitochondrial function. Moreover, by integrating Limited Proteolysis-Small Molecule Mapping, western blotting and siRNA-based functional assays, we identify that uridine binds to poly(rC)-binding protein 1, thereby suppressing ferroptosis and preserving mitochondrial function. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that uridine supplementation improves fertility in aged female mice and provide mechanistic insight into ferroptosis in oocyte aging.

In vitro maturation (IVM) provides a safer alternative to conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by mitigating the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation. However, concerns persist regarding whether IVM perturbs epigenetic reprogramming in the offspring. Current evidence is constrained by candidate-gene approaches or a lack of parental controls. This study aimed to evaluate the genome-wide DNA methylation safety of IVM compared with conventional IVF using a rigorous trio-based design. This secondary epigenetic analysis was nested within a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03463772). We included 10 nuclear families (trios), comprising five IVM-conceived and five IVF-conceived singleton offspring alongside their biological parents. Both groups utilized a uniform freeze-only single-blastocyst transfer strategy to minimize hormonal confounding. Genomic DNA from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and parental peripheral blood was analyzed using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). Genome-wide methylation patterns and differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were subsequently compared between the groups. Clinical characteristics were comparable between the IVM and IVF groups. Genome-wide analyses demonstrated high concordance in UCB methylation patterns, revealing no significant differences in global CpG methylation levels or distributions across key genomic features (promoters, CpG islands, and gene bodies). Only three rare DMRs were identified in UCB (representing 0.0001

Previous cesarean scar defect (PCSD) is the most common complication following cesarean delivery, characterized by myometrial thinning or disruption. Its incidence rises with increasing number of cesarean sections, reaching 76% after three procedures, yet effective clinical interventions remain lacking. Inadequate blood supply and weak regeneration of the lower uterine segment are key pathogenic contributors, suggesting that improving local perfusion could facilitate wound healing. In this study, we developed lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA and applied it locally to uterine incisions in a mouse model. HGF mRNA LNP treatment significantly increased endometrial thickness and gland density, reduced collagen deposition, and promoted smooth muscle regeneration and angiogenesis at days 7 and 30 postoperatively. Favorable trends in pregnancy outcomes were observed. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters remained comparable between groups at all time points examined. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that upregulated genes in the HGF mRNA LNP group were involved in cell proliferation, migration, and survival. In vitro, HGF enhanced endothelial cell migration and tube formation. Collectively, these findings indicate that HGF mRNA LNP delivery at the site of uterine incision injury can promote structural and functional uterine repair in a small‑animal model, and provide a rationale for further preclinical evaluation.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most prevalent inherited peripheral neuropathies. CMT type X1 (CMTX1), caused by mutations in the GJB1 gene, represents the most common X-linked subtype with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of a novel GJB1 variant (c.554C > T, p.Thr185Ile) in a CMTX1-affected family and its pathogenic impact using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and three-dimensional (3D) neural organoid models. The GJB1 gene encodes connexin 32 (Cx32), a gap junction protein. Immunofluorescent analysis revealed aberrant intracellular reduction and aggregation of the mutant Cx32 protein, suggesting impaired gap junction function. iPSC-derived neural organoids carrying the GJB1 mutation exhibited significant delay in neural differentiation and disrupted neural rosette organization. These findings underscore the critical role of Cx32 in neural development and provide a physiologically relevant platform for underlying CMTX1 pathological mechanisms on central nervous system. The established GJB1-variant organoid model holds promise for investigating genotype-phenotype correlations and facilitating the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for CMTX1.

Trophoblast cells serve as the foundation for placental development. We analyzed published multiomics sequencing data and found that trophoblast cells highly expressed RRS1 compared to primitive endoderm and epiblast. We used HTR-8/SVneo cells for further investigation, and Western blot and immunofluorescence staining confirmed that HTR-8/SVneo cells highly expressed RRS1. RRS1 was successfully knocked down in HTR-8/SVneo cells using siRNA. Using IncuCyte S3 live-cell analysis system based on continuous live-cell imaging and real-time data, we observed that proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were all significantly decreased in RRS1-knockdown cells. RNA-seq revealed that knockdown of RRS1 affected the gene transcription, and upregulated pathways in extracellular matrix organization, DNA damage response, and intrinsic apoptotic signaling, downregulated pathways in embryo implantation, trophoblast cell migration, and wound healing. Differentially expressed genes were enriched in diseases related to placental development. Consistent with these findings, human chorionic villus samples collected from spontaneous abortion cases exhibited significantly reduced RRS1 expression compared to normal controls. Our results highlight the functional importance of RRS1 in human trophoblasts and suggest that its deficiency contributes to early pregnancy loss.

Rationale: Meiotic homologous recombination is a critical event in gametogenesis, which is tightly regulated to ensure the generation of crossovers on homologous chromosomes. This process is crucial for ensuring the accurate segregation of genetic material and maintaining genetic diversity within species, ultimately contributing to reproductive success. Nevertheless, comprehensive mechanisms of post-translational modification (PTM) regulating homologous recombination during meiosis require further investigation. The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory mechanisms and physiological functions of NAE1-mediated neddylation during meiosis of mammalian spermatogenesis and its consequential role in infertility. Methods: The dynamic localization of NAE1 at various sub-stages during spermatogenesis was determined using immunofluorescence staining and seminiferous tubule staging. We explore the role of NAE1-mediated neddylation by utilizing germ cell-specific Nae1-knockout mice. The impact on homologous synapsis and recombination during the meiosis prophase I were verified through chromosome spread fluorescence staining. We used 10 × Genomics single cell transcriptomics and ubiquitinomics to analysis the causes of spermatogenesis arrest and spermatogenic apoptosis. Results: NAE1 exhibited high nuclear expression within spermatocytes from the pachytene stage onwards. Nae1-SKO male mice showed a late-pachytene arrest in spermatocytes, resulting in infertility. In NAE1-deficient spermatocytes, there is an increase in apoptosis. Nae1 deletion led to double-strand break (DSB) repair failure with normal autosomes synapsis. From a mechanistic perspective, we verified excessive recombination intermediate stabilization and failed crossover formation, which ultimately resulted in impaired meiotic recombination. Further analysis showed that ubiquitination regulation coordinated with NAE1-mediated neddylation was implicated in meiotic recombination. Conclusion: NAE1-mediated neddylation regulates ubiquitination during meiosis and is involved in the stabilization of recombination proteins related to crossover differentiation. We provide cytological evidence for the neddylation-ubiquitination system (NUS) in mammalian meiotic recombination during spermatogenesis.

The mechanically activated PIEZO1 ion channel is genetically linked to numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes. For example, deleting PIEZO1 in mice leads to defective lymphatic vessel development, while nonsense mutations in humans are associated with autosomal recessive generalized lymphatic dysplasia (GLD) and nonimmune hydrops fetalis. However, it remains unclear whether PIEZO1-dependent biological processes are directly mediated by its intrinsic mechanosensitivity. Here, we identified a human fetal hydrops-associated single-residue mutation, L322P (corresponding to L329P in mouse PIEZO1). The mutant failed to show mechanically activated currents in response to poking or stretch of the cell membrane, but preserved normal plasma membrane expression and responsiveness to its chemical activators such as Yoda1 and Jedi1. Remarkably, the mechanical response of the mutant can be restored by Yoda1. These findings demonstrate a direct link between the loss of PIEZO1's mechanosensitivity and the pathophysiological phenotype of fetal hydrops and raise the therapeutic potential of using PIEZO1 chemical activators to restore the mechanosensitivity of PIEZO1 missense mutants that are associated with genetic diseases such as GLD and hydrops fetalis.

Menstruation is a key indicator of female reproductive health, yet clinical features and underlying mechanisms associated with menstrual changes following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection remain unclear. Here, we recruited 253 participants through questionnaires, and 73 individuals underwent metabolomic analysis of blood serum. Over 60% reported menstrual changes, primarily experiencing longer cycle and lighter bleeding, which were significantly associated with age, general medical conditions, perceived stress, anxiety scores, and depression scores, as well as COVID-19 symptoms including fatigue and headache. General medical conditions were the sole independent risk factor for any menstrual changes. Metabolomic analysis highlighted disturbances in steroid hormone biosynthesis. We identified 52 significantly differential metabolites between groups with and without any menstrual changes (AnyC vs. NoC), with high discrimination achieved by combining phenylglyoxylic acid, PC O-40, traumatic acid, and estrone sulfate. Furthermore, several significantly upregulated metabolites were closely correlated with estradiol (E2) levels, including estrone sulfate, which was also positively correlated with T levels. Specifically, T levels decreased with recovery duration in the AnyC group (p = 0.0015). Collectively, our findings uncovered key clinical factors and metabolic disruptions in menstrual changes, underscoring potential adverse long-term effects of COVID-19 on women's health.