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PLOS Biology
@plosbiology.org
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A leading life science journal that champions high-impact research across all disciplines—from molecules to ecosystems. We offer innovative formats and collaborative editorial support to ensure your work achieves its full scientific impact.
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plosbiology.org
#Erythropoietin can be an effective #anemia treatment, but not with cancer or chronic disease. This study identifies the pleiotropic #cytokine IL-17A as a stimulator of #erythropoiesis in vivo that acts by amplifying the response of erythroid progenitors to Epo @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/3KDskbX
Single-cell transcriptomics of the Epo/IL-17A synergism in erythropoiesis. Left: UMAP visualization of single-cell transcriptomes across conditions and tissues, colored by annotated cell states. MPP, multipotent progenitor; EBMP, erythroid-basophilic-megakaryocytic progenitor; BaMaP, basophil-mast cell progenitor; MegP, megakaryocyte progenitor; EosP, eosinophil progenitor; LyP, lymphoid progenitor; GMP, granulocyte monocyte progenitor; MoP, monocyte progenitor; imMo; immature monocyte; mMo, mature monocyte; NeuP, neutrophil progenitor; imNeu, immature neutrophil; mNeu, mature neutrophil; imB, immature B cell; proB, proB cell; T, T cell; cDC1/2, conventional dendritic cell 1/2; pDC, plasmacytoid dendritic cell; Mac, macrophage; EEP, early erythroid progenitor (BFU-e equivalent); CEP, committed erythroid progenitor (CFU-e equivalent); ProE, proerythroblast; BasoE, basophilic erythroblast; PolyE, polychromatic erythroblast; OrthoE, orthochromatic erythroblast; pyrenocytes, and reticulocytes. Right: Relative cell densities across the sampled RNA-Seq state space, evaluated in high dimensions and visualized on the UMAP plot. The plots are colored by the log2-transformed ratio of cell densities in the neighborhood of each sampled transcriptome, for each treatment pair as indicated.
December 12, 2025 at 2:05 PM
plosbiology.org
Conjugative plasmids help spread AMR genes. @andrewmatthews.bsky.social @sonjalehtinen.bsky.social & @tatianadimitriu.bsky.social show that #AMR loss in evolving populations involves streamlined #plasmids that gain a transmission advantage by deleting AMR genes @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48NM0BL
Evolved plasmid-carrying clones with high copy number contain a mix of full-length and streamlined plasmids. Left: summary of the initial experimental evolution design and nomenclature used for the evolved plasmid-carrying clones. Host strains had either wildtype (w) or increased (m) mutation rate. Treatment indicates the % of plasmid-free hosts added at each passage during evolution. Right: coverage map of evolved clones. Relative coverage of sequencing reads is shown for all clones across R1 sequence length (only the first 50 kb are shown). The AMR region and copies of IS1 are shown against the ancestral R1 (“anc” treatment) coverage map.
December 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
plosbiology.org
Introgression between species can shape #evolution. Study of the colorful American #warblers (Parulidae) by @kevinfpbennett.bsky.social @davetoews.bsky.social &co reveals intergeneric & interspecific introgression of genes related to carotenoid #plumage color @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48MyfU2
Topological discordance between the concatenated ultra-conserved element species tree of parulid warblers and a 1.8-kb region of the BCO2 gene. Left: Full co-phylogeny, with the species tree on the left and gene tree on the right. Right: A magnolia warbler (Setophaga magnolia) perched on a rose branch. Image credit Davey Walters.
December 12, 2025 at 1:50 PM
plosbiology.org
Introgression between species can shape #evolution. Study of the colorful American #warblers (Parulidae) by @kevinfpbennett.bsky.social @davetoews.bsky.social &co reveals intergeneric & interspecific introgression of genes related to carotenoid #plumage color @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48MyfU2
Topological discordance between the concatenated ultra-conserved element species tree of parulid warblers and a 1.8-kb region of the BCO2 gene. Left: Full co-phylogeny, with the species tree on the left and gene tree on the right. Right: A magnolia warbler (Setophaga magnolia) perched on a rose branch. Image credit Davey Walters.
December 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
plosbiology.org
How can #neurons fulfil similar roles while exhibiting distinct properties between species? This study shows how geometry & K+ channel expression in the AIS can support rapid #ActionPotentials in human #interneurons, despite slow somatic membrane responses @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4rONF2G
Fewer Kv1 channels in the axon initial segment make human neurons easier to activate than mouse neurons. Credit Ádám Tiszlavicz.
December 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
plosbiology.org
How can #neurons fulfil similar roles while exhibiting distinct properties between species? This study shows how geometry & K+ channel expression in the AIS can support rapid #ActionPotentials in human #interneurons, despite slow somatic membrane responses @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4rONF2G
Fewer Kv1 channels in the axon initial segment make human neurons easier to activate than mouse neurons. Credit Ádám Tiszlavicz.
December 12, 2025 at 8:55 AM
plosbiology.org
How can #neurons fulfil similar roles while exhibiting distinct properties between species? This study shows how geometry & K+ channel expression in the AIS can support rapid #ActionPotentials in human #interneurons, despite slow somatic membrane responses @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4rONF2G
Fewer Kv1 channels in the axon initial segment make human neurons easier to activate than mouse neurons. Credit Ádám Tiszlavicz.
December 11, 2025 at 6:27 PM
plosbiology.org
How does C2CD3 contribute to distal appendage formation in centrioles? @ebertiaux.bsky.social @centriolelab.bsky.social show that C2CD3 architecturally organizes the distal #centriole, bridging the luminal distal ring complex & peripheral appendage sites @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/496XZuH
C2CD3 localizes to a ring structure observed in the lumen of the distal centriole by in situ cryo-electron tomography. Top: Confocal image of an expanded mouse photoreceptor cell immunolabeled for tubulin (magenta) and C2CD3 (green). DC, daughter centriole; BB, basal body; TZ, transition zone; CC, connecting cilium. Scale bar: 500 nm. Middle: In situ cryo-tomogram slices taken along the longitudinal axis of the centriole and connecting cilium. White arrowheads indicate microtubule triplets, black arrowheads indicate microtubule doublets, orange arrowheads mark the luminal ring structure, and yellow highlights the membrane. Scale bar: 50 nm. Bottom: Model of the architecture of the distal region of the human centriole.
December 10, 2025 at 5:35 PM
plosbiology.org
What role do #Fertility signals play in intersexual dynamics? This study of #bonobos shows that, despite noisy female fertility signals (anogenital swelling), males adjust their mating to cover #ovulatory windows, challenging the social function of the signal @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/3YhOe7H
Male–male agonistic interaction during a mating attempt in wild bonobos. The alpha male attempts to intervene in the beta male’s ongoing copulation with a female with maximal swelling. The alpha male, who is the younger brother of the beta male, tries to kick the beta male. He does not physically attack the female but only attempts to kick the beta male. Despite the challenge, the copulating pair continues mating while the intervening male reaches toward them from above. This photograph captures the dynamic social tension characteristic of bonobo mating competition within their complex fission–fusion society. Image credit: Heungjin Ryu.
December 10, 2025 at 5:31 PM
plosbiology.org
What is role do #Fertility signals play in intersexual dynamics? This study of #bonobos shows that, despite noisy female fertility signals (anogenital swelling), males adjust their mating to cover #ovulatory windows, challenging the social function of the signal @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/3YhOe7H
Male–male agonistic interaction during a mating attempt in wild bonobos. The alpha male attempts to intervene in the beta male’s ongoing copulation with a female with maximal swelling. The alpha male, who is the younger brother of the beta male, tries to kick the beta male. He does not physically attack the female but only attempts to kick the beta male. Despite the challenge, the copulating pair continues mating while the intervening male reaches toward them from above. This photograph captures the dynamic social tension characteristic of bonobo mating competition within their complex fission–fusion society. Image credit: Heungjin Ryu.
December 10, 2025 at 2:05 PM
plosbiology.org
How does C2CD3 contribute to distal appendage formation in centrioles? @ebertiaux.bsky.social @centriolelab.bsky.social show that C2CD3 architecturally organizes the distal #centriole, bridging the luminal distal ring complex & peripheral appendage sites @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/496XZuH
C2CD3 localizes to a ring structure observed in the lumen of the distal centriole by in situ cryo-electron tomography. Top: Confocal image of an expanded mouse photoreceptor cell immunolabeled for tubulin (magenta) and C2CD3 (green). DC, daughter centriole; BB, basal body; TZ, transition zone; CC, connecting cilium. Scale bar: 500 nm. Middle: In situ cryo-tomogram slices taken along the longitudinal axis of the centriole and connecting cilium. White arrowheads indicate microtubule triplets, black arrowheads indicate microtubule doublets, orange arrowheads mark the luminal ring structure, and yellow highlights the membrane. Scale bar: 50 nm. Bottom: Model of the architecture of the distal region of the human centriole.
December 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
plosbiology.org
Levels of BRCA1 fluctuate through the #CellCycle & its depletion can induce #tumors. This study identifies a new #ubiquitin modification pathway that regulates #BRCA1 stability; its dysregulation is associated with features of BRCA-mutated #BreastCancer @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4q3cxlT
A proposed model for cell cycle-dependent regulation of BRCA1 protein level in G1 and S phase by the countering activities of APC/CCdh1/Ube2S and Cezanne in K11-linkage specific ubiquitination of BRCA1. Dysregulation of this pathway due to loss of Cezanne or upregulation of Ube2S leads to reduced BRCA1 protein level and is associated with BRCAness in tumors.
December 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
plosbiology.org
How does C2CD3 contribute to distal appendage formation in centrioles? @centriolelab.bsky.social show that C2CD3 acts as a central architectural organizer of the distal #centriole, bridging the luminal distal ring complex & peripheral appendage sites @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/496XZuH
C2CD3 localizes to a ring structure observed in the lumen of the distal centriole by in situ cryo-electron tomography. Top: Confocal image of an expanded mouse photoreceptor cell immunolabeled for tubulin (magenta) and C2CD3 (green). DC, daughter centriole; BB, basal body; TZ, transition zone; CC, connecting cilium. Scale bar: 500 nm. Middle: In situ cryo-tomogram slices taken along the longitudinal axis of the centriole and connecting cilium. White arrowheads indicate microtubule triplets, black arrowheads indicate microtubule doublets, orange arrowheads mark the luminal ring structure, and yellow highlights the membrane. Scale bar: 50 nm. Bottom: Model of the architecture of the distal region of the human centriole.
December 10, 2025 at 9:10 AM
plosbiology.org
#Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors HCAR2 & HCAR3 are key targets for treating #MetabolicDisorders. This study reports #cryoEM structures of #HCAR3 with several agonists, informing its ligand recognition & activation mechanism (& HCAR3/HCAR2 differences) @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48D365m
Cryo-EM structures of agonist-bound HCAR3-Gi1 and HCAR2-Gi1 complexes. (A) Schematic illustration of agonist selectivity to HCARs. (B-F) Cryo-EM maps and models in cartoon performance of HCAR3-Gi1 complexes in the presence of 6O (B), PLA (C), IBC293 (D), acifran (E), and HCAR2-Gi1 complex in the presence of acifran (F). Agonists are shown in stick representation, and corresponding electron densities are depicted as gray meshes. The maps and structural models are colored by subunits: Pale violet red, 6O-HCAR3; slate blue, PLA-HCAR3; medium sea green, IBC293-HCAR3; dodger blue, acifran-HCAR3; light salmon, acifran-HCAR2; light gray, Gαi; light blue, Gβ; light pink, Gγ; burly wood, scFv16; light green, 6O; cyan, PLA; khaki, IBC293; plum, acifran (HCAR3); medium aquamarine, acifran (HCAR2).
December 10, 2025 at 9:05 AM
plosbiology.org
Levels of BRCA1 fluctuate through the #CellCycle & its depletion can induce #tumors. This study identifies a new #ubiquitin modification pathway that regulates #BRCA1 stability; its dysregulation is associated with features of BRCA-mutated #BreastCancer @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4q3cxlT
A proposed model for cell cycle-dependent regulation of BRCA1 protein level in G1 and S phase by the countering activities of APC/CCdh1/Ube2S and Cezanne in K11-linkage specific ubiquitination of BRCA1. Dysregulation of this pathway due to loss of Cezanne or upregulation of Ube2S leads to reduced BRCA1 protein level and is associated with BRCAness in tumors.
December 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM
plosbiology.org
How do animals with lifelong growth modulate cell #proliferation? @eudaldpascual.bsky.social @ktgarschall.bsky.social @prhsteinmetz.bsky.social show that starvation induces G1/G0 #CellCycle arrest in Vasa2+/Piwi1+ #SeaAnemone cells; cycle re-entry is TOR-dependent @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48J2o6P
Top: The phylogenetic position of Nematostella and localization of Vasa2 +/Piwi1+ cells within the juvenile polyp body plan. (A) Simplified phylogenetic tree highlighting the phylogenetic position of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis and other animal taxa relevant for this study. All animal silhouettes are licensed under CC0,1.0 Universal Public domain and taken from https://www.phylopic.org. (B–D) Schematics showing the localization of Vasa2+/Piwi1+ cells in a juvenile polyp, depicted in longitudinal (B) or cross-section (C, D). (E) Schematic representation of the multipotent, Vasa2+/Piwi1+ stem/progenitor cell population and a simplified summary of their germinal and somatic progeny. (F) Schematics of cell cycle phases, highlighting the incorporation of EdU during S-phase (black line) and the phosphorylation of Histone H3 (pH3+) during metaphase. Bottom: Confocal image of two Vasa+/Piwi+ stem-like cells in the inner epithelial folds of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Immunolabelling of mOrange2-Piwi1 fusion protein (yellow) in a transgenic knock-in line combined with nuclear stain (white). Image credit: Paula Miramón-Puértolas.
December 10, 2025 at 8:55 AM
plosbiology.org
What is role do #Fertility signals play in intersexual dynamics? This study of #bonobos shows that, despite noisy female fertility signals (anogenital swelling), males adjust their mating to cover #ovulatory windows, challenging the social function of the signal @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/3YhOe7H
Male–male agonistic interaction during a mating attempt in wild bonobos. The alpha male attempts to intervene in the beta male’s ongoing copulation with a female with maximal swelling. The alpha male, who is the younger brother of the beta male, tries to kick the beta male. He does not physically attack the female but only attempts to kick the beta male. Despite the challenge, the copulating pair continues mating while the intervening male reaches toward them from above. This photograph captures the dynamic social tension characteristic of bonobo mating competition within their complex fission–fusion society. Image credit: Heungjin Ryu.
December 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
plosbiology.org
#Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors HCAR2 & HCAR3 are key targets for treating #MetabolicDisorders. This study reports #cryoEM structures of #HCAR3 with several agonists, informing its ligand recognition & activation mechanism (& HCAR3/HCAR2 differences) @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48D365m
Cryo-EM structures of agonist-bound HCAR3-Gi1 and HCAR2-Gi1 complexes. (A) Schematic illustration of agonist selectivity to HCARs. (B-F) Cryo-EM maps and models in cartoon performance of HCAR3-Gi1 complexes in the presence of 6O (B), PLA (C), IBC293 (D), acifran (E), and HCAR2-Gi1 complex in the presence of acifran (F). Agonists are shown in stick representation, and corresponding electron densities are depicted as gray meshes. The maps and structural models are colored by subunits: Pale violet red, 6O-HCAR3; slate blue, PLA-HCAR3; medium sea green, IBC293-HCAR3; dodger blue, acifran-HCAR3; light salmon, acifran-HCAR2; light gray, Gαi; light blue, Gβ; light pink, Gγ; burly wood, scFv16; light green, 6O; cyan, PLA; khaki, IBC293; plum, acifran (HCAR3); medium aquamarine, acifran (HCAR2).
December 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
plosbiology.org
How do animals with lifelong growth modulate cell #proliferation? @eudaldpascual.bsky.social @ktgarschall.bsky.social @prhsteinmetz.bsky.social show that starvation induces G1/G0 #CellCycle arrest in Vasa2+/Piwi1+ #SeaAnemone cells; cycle re-entry is TOR-dependent @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48J2o6P
Top: The phylogenetic position of Nematostella and localization of Vasa2 +/Piwi1+ cells within the juvenile polyp body plan. (A) Simplified phylogenetic tree highlighting the phylogenetic position of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis and other animal taxa relevant for this study. All animal silhouettes are licensed under CC0,1.0 Universal Public domain and taken from https://www.phylopic.org. (B–D) Schematics showing the localization of Vasa2+/Piwi1+ cells in a juvenile polyp, depicted in longitudinal (B) or cross-section (C, D). (E) Schematic representation of the multipotent, Vasa2+/Piwi1+ stem/progenitor cell population and a simplified summary of their germinal and somatic progeny. (F) Schematics of cell cycle phases, highlighting the incorporation of EdU during S-phase (black line) and the phosphorylation of Histone H3 (pH3+) during metaphase. Bottom: Confocal image of two Vasa+/Piwi+ stem-like cells in the inner epithelial folds of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Immunolabelling of mOrange2-Piwi1 fusion protein (yellow) in a transgenic knock-in line combined with nuclear stain (white). Image credit: Paula Miramón-Puértolas.
December 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
plosbiology.org
Levels of BRCA1 fluctuate through the #CellCycle & its depletion can induce #tumors. This study identifies a new #ubiquitin modification pathway that regulates #BRCA1 stability; its dysregulation is associated with features of BRCA-mutated #BreastCancer @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/4q3cxlT
A proposed model for cell cycle-dependent regulation of BRCA1 protein level in G1 and S phase by the countering activities of APC/CCdh1/Ube2S and Cezanne in K11-linkage specific ubiquitination of BRCA1. Dysregulation of this pathway due to loss of Cezanne or upregulation of Ube2S leads to reduced BRCA1 protein level and is associated with BRCAness in tumors.
December 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
plosbiology.org
The traditional pipeline view of academia no longer reflects the reality of scientific #careers. In this Perspective, Alexandra A-T Weber @eawag.bsky.social reframes success as a network of paths that recognizes excellence in its many forms 🧪 #AcademicSky plos.io/4pSgzx5
Image shows a network of circular nodes joined by lines. The central node says PhD training. The surrounding nodes list different careers, including government, education, publishing, applied research, NGOs and industry.
December 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
plosbiology.org
#Hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors HCAR2 & HCAR3 are key targets for treating #MetabolicDisorders. This study reports #cryoEM structures of #HCAR3 with several agonists, informing its ligand recognition & activation mechanism (& HCAR3/HCAR2 differences) @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48D365m
Cryo-EM structures of agonist-bound HCAR3-Gi1 and HCAR2-Gi1 complexes. (A) Schematic illustration of agonist selectivity to HCARs. (B-F) Cryo-EM maps and models in cartoon performance of HCAR3-Gi1 complexes in the presence of 6O (B), PLA (C), IBC293 (D), acifran (E), and HCAR2-Gi1 complex in the presence of acifran (F). Agonists are shown in stick representation, and corresponding electron densities are depicted as gray meshes. The maps and structural models are colored by subunits: Pale violet red, 6O-HCAR3; slate blue, PLA-HCAR3; medium sea green, IBC293-HCAR3; dodger blue, acifran-HCAR3; light salmon, acifran-HCAR2; light gray, Gαi; light blue, Gβ; light pink, Gγ; burly wood, scFv16; light green, 6O; cyan, PLA; khaki, IBC293; plum, acifran (HCAR3); medium aquamarine, acifran (HCAR2).
December 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
plosbiology.org
The traditional pipeline view of academia no longer reflects the reality of scientific #careers. In this Perspective, Alexandra A-T Weber @eawag.bsky.social reframes success as a network of paths that recognizes excellence in its many forms 🧪 #AcademicSky plos.io/4pSgzx5
Image shows a network of circular nodes joined by lines. The central node says PhD training. The surrounding nodes list different careers, including government, education, publishing, applied research, NGOs and industry.
December 9, 2025 at 1:55 PM
plosbiology.org
How do animals with lifelong growth modulate cell #proliferation? @eudaldpascual.bsky.social @ktgarschall.bsky.social @prhsteinmetz.bsky.social show that starvation induces G1/G0 #CellCycle arrest in Vasa2+/Piwi1+ #SeaAnemone cells; cycle re-entry is TOR-dependent @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/48J2o6P
Top: The phylogenetic position of Nematostella and localization of Vasa2 +/Piwi1+ cells within the juvenile polyp body plan. (A) Simplified phylogenetic tree highlighting the phylogenetic position of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis and other animal taxa relevant for this study. All animal silhouettes are licensed under CC0,1.0 Universal Public domain and taken from https://www.phylopic.org. (B–D) Schematics showing the localization of Vasa2+/Piwi1+ cells in a juvenile polyp, depicted in longitudinal (B) or cross-section (C, D). (E) Schematic representation of the multipotent, Vasa2+/Piwi1+ stem/progenitor cell population and a simplified summary of their germinal and somatic progeny. (F) Schematics of cell cycle phases, highlighting the incorporation of EdU during S-phase (black line) and the phosphorylation of Histone H3 (pH3+) during metaphase. Bottom: Confocal image of two Vasa+/Piwi+ stem-like cells in the inner epithelial folds of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Immunolabelling of mOrange2-Piwi1 fusion protein (yellow) in a transgenic knock-in line combined with nuclear stain (white). Image credit: Paula Miramón-Puértolas.
December 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
plosbiology.org
The traditional pipeline view of academia no longer reflects the reality of scientific #careers. In this Perspective, Alexandra A-T Weber @eawag.bsky.social reframes success as a network of paths that recognizes excellence in its many forms 🧪 #AcademicSky plos.io/4pSgzx5
Image shows a network of circular nodes joined by lines. The central node says PhD training. The surrounding nodes list different careers, including government, education, publishing, applied research, NGOs and industry.
December 9, 2025 at 10:02 AM