RNase L facilitates the repair of DNA double-strand breaks through the nonhomologous end-joining pathway.

RNA molecules have been found to play important roles in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, but the exact underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we aimed to clarify the function of RNase L, an important ribonuclease in the immune system of vertebrates, in DSB repair. Knockdown of RNase L reduces cell survival after induction of DSBs by ionizing radiation or camptothecin and causes a significant decrease in DSB repair, as evidenced by an increase in the extent of phosphorylation of histone H2AX on Ser139 (γH2AX) and γH2AX nuclear foci formation. Thus, our findings indicate that RNase L interacts with the core factors involved in DNA end joining, such as XRCC4 and Lig4, and facilitates DSB repair through the nonhomologous end-joining pathway.

Tracking the pyrolysis process of a 3-MeOsalophen-ligand based Co2 complex for promoted oxygen evolution reaction.

Efficient oxygen evolution reaction catalysts can be prepared via controlled pyrolysis of molecular platforms, and there is still minimal mechanistic understanding of such pyrolysis processes. Here, we introduce a 3-MeOsalophen-ligated cobalt complex as a precursor to obtain a Co-based OER electrocatalyst via controlled pyrolysis under an inert atmosphere. In our case, the unique N, O chelation mode of the 3-MeOsalophen ligand (bis[3-methoxysalicylydene]-1,2 iminophenylenediamine) was used to synthesis a Co2 complex [Co2(3-MeOsalophen)(Cl)3(CH3OH)2]. By regulating the pyrolysis conditions, we successfully obtained a N-doped carbon Co/CoO x core-shell nanostructure. More importantly, TG-MS was first adopted for tracking the decomposition products of the complex in the pyrolysis process, further finding out the evolution mechanism from Co2 to the core-shell nanostructure. As an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction, the core-shell Co/CoO x @NC-800 nanostructure achieves an ultralow overpotential of 288 mV at 10 mA cm-2 in 1 M KOH solution. This work offers guiding insight into controlled pyrolysis via TG-MS analysis, using a novel complex precursor for precise regulation of heteroatom-doped (3d) transition metal-based electrocatalysts.