CRISPR base editors (BEs) have introduced a new chapter in precise genome editing. The brief but fruitful history of BE development documents many case studies that not only lay the foundation of base-editing technology but are also instrumental to future protein engineering efforts. In this review, we summarize the development and engineering of various BEs with a focus on recent progress. These include

In an interview with Dr. Samantha Nelson, a scientific editor of Cell Chemical Biology, the authors of the Resource article entitled “MapID-based quantitative mapping of chemical modifications and expression of human transfer RNA” share their perspectives on their field and life as scientists.

In an interview with Dr. Mishtu Dey, the editor-in-chief of Cell Chemical Biology, Prof. Marcus Conrad, a new advisory board member and lead author of the paper entitled “N-acetyl-L-cysteine averts ferroptosis by fostering glutathione peroxidase 4,” shares his perspective on his research area, opportunities in the chemical biology field, and his plans to meaningfully contribute in this new position

In an interview with Dr. Mishtu Dey, the editor-in-chief of Cell Chemical Biology, the authors of the Review article entitled “Microbiota mechanisms in cancer progression and therapy” share their perspectives on their field and lives as scientists.

In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Shchepinova et al.1 map the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) interactome with sub-minute precision. They identify novel regulators, such as RAP2B, which influences cAMP signaling and endosomal trafficking, enhancing our understanding of GPCR-mediated intracellular signaling and interactome dynamics.

Promiscuous membrane transporters play vital roles across domains of life, mediating the uptake and efflux of structurally and chemically diverse substrates. Although many transporter structures have been solved, the fundamental rules of polyspecific transport remain inscrutable. In recent years, high-throughput genetic screens have solidified as powerful tools for comprehensive, unbiased measurements

Molecular chaperones like Hsp70s are key players in protein quality control (PQC), capable of eliminating toxic intracellular condensates. In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Zhang et al.1 present a computational approach to design novel J-domain protein (JDP) constructs that bind to Hsp70 and enhance its chaperone activity.

Polyunsaturated fats promote ferroptosis through their propensity to form toxic lipid peroxides. In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Sokol et al.1 report that extracellular lipid depletion leads to increased cell death by ferroptosis. This occurs because fats liberated from triglycerides are modified and incorporated into cellular phospholipids.

Neurons are key to brain tumor pathogenesis. Though direct synaptic connections between neurons and glioblastoma cells had been revealed, the nature of such connections remained enigmatic. In a recent issue of Cell, Tetzlaff et al.1 leveraged monosynaptic retrograde tracing to pinpoint these interactions, demonstrating new therapeutic strategies for targeting malignant neuron-glioma crosstalk.

Differentiated progenitors in intestinal crypts react to stem cell attrition by reverting to the multipotent state. In the February issue of Nature Cell Biology, Pashos et al.1 reveal a role for H3K36 methylation at cell-type-restricted genes in helping maintain differentiated cell states, hence regulating cell plasticity and regenerative responses.

Lysosomes are the central degradative organelle of mammalian cells and have emerged as major intersections of cellular metabolite flux. Macromolecules derived from dietary and intracellular sources are delivered to the acidic lysosomal lumen where they are subjected to degradation by acid hydrolases. Lipids derived from lipoproteins, autophagy cargo, or autophagosomal membranes themselves constitute

In an interview with Samantha Nelson, a scientific editor of Cell Chemical Biology, the authors of the review entitled “Metabolic tug-o-war: Microbial metabolism shapes colonization resistance against enteric pathogens” share their perspectives on the field and their lives as scientists.

In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Rebeck et al.1 construct a system that enables Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (Sb) to secrete immune checkpoint inhibitors, reducing intestinal tumor load. This safe and effective delivery platform using engineered yeast demonstrates potential for enhancing the efficacy of biologics.

(Cell Chemical Biology 31, 1772–1786.e1–e5; October 17, 2024)

Microbiomes exist in ecological niches ranging from the ocean and soil to inside of larger organisms like plants and animals. Within these niches, microbes play key roles in biochemical processes that impact larger phenomena, such as biogeochemical cycling or health. By understanding of how these processes occur at the molecular level, it may be possible to develop new interventions to address global

(Cell Chemical Biology 31, 1219–1230.e1–e5; June 20, 2024)

Novel inhibitors of pyroptosis promise breakthroughs in treating inflammatory diseases and malignant tumors. In this issue of Cell Chemical Biology, Hu et al.1 identify two repurposed drugs that selectively target gasdermin D (GSDMD) oligomers, effectively suppressing pyroptosis while reducing off-target effects typical of cysteine-based inhibitors.

The molecular underpinnings behind the diet-microbiome-host health relationship are largely undescribed. In a recent issue of Science, Cheng et al.1 uncovered one piece of the puzzle by describing a novel fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) derived from a Faecalibacterium prausnitzii strain that correlated with improved malnutrition recovery. This emphasized the microbiome’s role in supporting recovery