Science China Life Sciences最新文献

The m⁶A modification is an RNA modification that impacts various processes of RNA molecules, including transcription, splicing, stability, and translation. Recently, researchers have discovered that the presence of m⁶A modification can influence the interaction between tumor cells and immune cells and also play a role in regulating the expression of immune response-related genes. Additionally, m⁶A modification is intricately involved in the regulation of tumor immune evasion and drug resistance. Specifically, certain tumor cells can manipulate the gene expression through m⁶A modification to evade immune system attacks. Therefore, it might be possible to enhance tumor immune surveillance and improve the effectiveness of immune-based therapies by manipulating m⁶A modification. This review systematically discusses the role of m⁶A modification in tumor immunity, specifically highlighting its regulation of immune cells and immune-related genes in tumor cells. Furthermore, we explore the potential of m⁶A modification inhibitors as anti-cancer therapies and the significance of m⁶A regulatory factors in predicting the efficacy of tumor immune therapy.

China, with its large geographic span, possesses rich genetic diversity across vast frontier regions in addition to the Han Chinese majority. Importantly, demographic events and various natural and cultural environments in Chinese frontier regions have shaped the genomic diversity of ethnic minorities via local adaptations. Thus, insights into the genetic diversity and adaptive evolution of these under-represented ethnic groups are crucial for understanding evolutionary scenarios and biomedical implications in East Asian populations. Here, we focus on ethnic minorities in Chinese frontier regions and review research advances regarding genomic diversity, genetic structure, population history, genetic admixture, and local adaptation. We first provide an overview of the extensive genetic diversity across populations in different Chinese frontier regions. Next, we summarize research progress regarding genetic ancestry, demographic history, the adaptive process, and the archaic identification of multiple ethnic minorities in different Chinese frontier regions. Finally, we discuss the gaps and opportunities in genomic studies of Chinese populations and the need for a more comprehensive understanding of genomic diversity and the evolution of populations of East Asian ancestry in the post-genomic era.

While receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is typically expressed at low levels or absent in normal tissues, its expression is notably elevated in various malignant tumors and conditions, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), breast cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, and lung adenocarcinoma. This distinctive feature positions ROR1 as an attractive target for tumor-specific treatments. Currently, several targeted drugs directed at ROR1 are undergoing clinical development, including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T). Additionally, there are four small molecule inhibitors designed to bind to ROR1, presenting promising avenues for the development of PROTAC degraders targeting ROR1. This review offers updated insights into ROR1's structural and functional characteristics, embryonic development implications, cell survival signaling pathways, and evolutionary targeting strategies, all of which have the potential to advance the treatment of malignant tumors.