Selective Recognition of PTRE1 Transcripts Mediated by Protein-protein Interaction between the RNA m6A Reader ECT2 and PTRE1.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent internal post-transcriptional modification in eukaryotic RNAs, and its function is executed by m6A-binding proteins known as "readers". Our previous research revealed that the Arabidopsis m6A reader ECT2 positively regulates transcript levels of proteasome regulator PTRE1 and several 20S proteasome subunits, enhancing 26S proteasome activity. However, the mechanism of selective recognition of m6A targets by these readers like ECT2 remains unclear. In this study, we further demonstrate that ECT2 physically interacts with PTRE1 and several 20S proteasome subunits. This interaction occurs on the ribosome and involves the N-terminus of PTRE1, suggesting that ECT2 might bind to the nascent PTRE1 polypeptide. Deletion of ECT2's protein interaction domain impairs its ability to bind mRNA, while mutations in the m6A RNA binding site do not affect such protein-protein interaction. Furthermore, introducing a novel protein-binding domain into ECT2 elevates transcript levels of the proteins interacting with this domain. Our findings suggest that interaction with PTRE1 protein enhances ECT2's binding to PTRE1 m6A mRNAs during translation, thereby regulating PTRE1 mRNA levels.

3D E-textile for Exercise Physiology and Clinical Maternal Health Monitoring.

Electronic textiles (E-textiles) offer great wearing comfort and unobtrusiveness, thus holding potential for next-generation health monitoring wearables. However, the practical implementation is hampered by challenges associated with poor signal quality, substantial motion artifacts, durability for long-term usage, and non-ideal user experience. Here, we report a cost-effective E-textile system that features 3D microfiber-based electrodes for greatly increasing the surface area. The soft and fluffy conductive microfibers disperse freely and securely adhere to the skin, achieving a low impedance at the electrode-skin interface even in the absence of gel. A superhydrophobic fluorinated self-assembled monolayer was deposited on the E-textile surface to render it waterproof while retaining the electrical conductivity. Equipped with a custom-designed motion-artifact canceling wireless data recording circuit, the E-textile system could be integrated into a variety of smart garments for exercise physiology and health monitoring applications. Real-time multimodal electrophysiological signal monitoring, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and electromyography (EMG), was successfully carried out during strenuous cycling and even underwater swimming activities. Furthermore, a multi-channel E-textile was developed and implemented in clinical patient studies for simultaneous real-time monitoring of maternal ECG and uterine EMG signals, incorporating spatial-temporal potential mapping capabilities.