Review Report: AND-Logic-Gated Aptamer Switch for Precise Targeting and Regulation of RNA G-Quadruplexes

Academic fraud report · Geng Detector

Summary

This integrity review evaluates a 2026 Angewandte Chemie International Edition paper by Wang, Feng, and Kwok (DOI: 10.1002/anie.4594145). Verdict: SUSPICIOUS (Yellow). Key issues identified: (1) Internal mathematical consistency of binding affinities (Kd = 120.1 nM vs. 946 nM; 946/120.1 ≈ 7.88, matching the reported 7.9-fold change) and logic-gate metrics is unusually precise, though this is not flagged as a red flag. (2) A serious reference anomaly in Reference 56: a paper attributed to Nature Chemical Biology volume 10 (2014) is dated 2025, creating an impossible chronology since volume 10 corresponds to 2014 and 2025 should be around volume 21. (3) Image-level analysis (EMSA gels, Western blots) was not possible due to lack of high-resolution files. The core experimental data shows no typical signs of fabrication, but the bibliographic inconsistency requires author clarification. Confidence is limited by the absence of raw images.

Verdict

🟡 Suspicious. No confirmed fabrication in core experimental data, but a clear bibliographic anomaly in Reference 56 warrants author clarification. Pixel-level image analysis was not feasible.

Key findings

Reference 56 temporal inconsistency (High concern): The cited entry — J. Mo et al., "In Situ Proximity Labeling...", *Nature Chemical Biology* 10 (2025) — is internally contradictory. Nature Chemical Biology volume 10 corresponds to 2014, not 2025 (which should be ~volume 21).
Internal numerical consistency (Low concern): Reported binding affinities are arithmetically self-consistent (Kd = 120.1 nM vs. 946 nM; 946 / 120.1 ≈ 7.876, matching the stated 7.9-fold). Logic-gate ratios (86% vs. 10% Manders' coefficients giving ~7.8-fold) also check out.
No image-level analysis possible (Limitation): EMSA gels (Figures 1, 2), capillary electrophoresis, and Simple Western Blot (Figure 5) could not be inspected for splicing or reuse due to lack of high-resolution originals.
Timeline and reagent plausibility (Normal): Submission 2025-12-06, acceptance 2026-04-17 (~4.5 months) is consistent with typical Angewandte Chemie review cycles. Reagents (Sgc8 aptamer, L-RNA 4-1c, DBCO-N3 click chemistry, GSH-responsive disulfide) are established.

Evidence highlights

Quantitative check: 946 ÷ 120.1 = 7.876 → reported "7.9-fold" ✔
Bcl2 protein expression suppression: reported 27% residual (≈73% inhibition).
Manders' colocalization: reported ~86% (HeLa) vs. ~10% (HEK293T) → claimed gain ratio ~8.6/1.1 = 7.8 ✔
Reference 56 anomaly: Volume 10 of *Nat. Chem. Biol.* is the 2014 volume; a 2025 publication cannot legitimately appear there.
DOI: 10.1002/anie.4594145

Notes

The precise mutual consistency of the quantitative data argues against crude fabrication but cannot exclude selective data curation. The Reference 56 error is the most actionable finding and could plausibly reflect an EndNote/citation-management error rather than deliberate misconduct, but this should be confirmed by the corresponding author (Chun Kit Kwok). Original, uncropped EMSA and Western blot images should be requested from the authors or the editorial office to enable further inspection. This report does not constitute a formal finding of misconduct.