IN THIS ISSUE
EDITORIAL
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
- Cellular functions of the ADF/cofilin family at a glance
Summary: This Cell Science at a Glance article and the accompanying poster serve as an introduction to the diverse roles of ADF and cofilin proteins in cells.
COMMENTARY
- The LINC and NPC relationship – it's complicated!
Summary: In this Commentary, we review for the first time, the functional associations of two integral members of the nuclear envelope, namely the linkers of the nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton, and nuclear pore complexes.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Sar1 localizes at the rims of COPII-coated membranes in vivo
Highlighted Article: Detailed three-dimensional observations reveal that the localization of Sar1, which cycles on and off COPII-coated membranes, is restricted to the rims of the COPII-coated membranes in vivo.
- Microtubule-independent secretion requires functional maturation of Golgi elements
Summary: Functional maturation of Golgi elements is necessary to make them competent for secretion. We highlight this process in cells without microtubules and show that the recycling of Golgi factors is essential.
- COPI is essential for Golgi cisternal maturation and dynamics
Highlighted Article: Knockdown of COPI function restricts retrograde recycling of Golgi-resident proteins and markedly impairs the transition from cis to medial and to trans cisternae, as demonstrated in living yeast cells.
- Keratin impact on PKCδ- and ASMase-mediated regulation of hepatocyte lipid raft size – implication for FasR-associated apoptosis
Summary: Hepatocytes express keratin 8 (K8) and 18 (K18) as their sole intermediate filaments. A loss of K8/K18 impacts on PKCδ- and ASMase-mediated modulation of lipid raft size and FasR-mediated apoptosis.
- The microtubule-severing protein fidgetin acts after dendrite injury to promote their degeneration
Highlighted Article: Dendrite degeneration is analogous to axon degeneration, but no regulators of this process had previously been identified. We find that fidgetin helps take dendrites apart by severing microtubules.
- Drosophila Ringmaker regulates microtubule stabilization and axonal extension during embryonic development
Summary: We report the characterization of Drosophila Ringmaker (Ringer), and demonstrate that Ringer regulates axonal growth by affecting microtubular organization during CNS development.
- The role of Sema3–Npn-1 signaling during diaphragm innervation and muscle development
Highlighted Article: Sema3A–Npn-1 signaling cell autonomously influences phrenic nerve branching in the diaphragm and induces ectopic muscle formation through secondary mechanisms, possibly by Slit–Robo signaling.
- Divergence of structural strategies for homophilic E-cadherin binding among bilaterians
Summary: Atomic force microscopy imaging revealed that Drosophila E-cadherin has a tightly folded globular structure with multiple domains that contain determinants of homophilic binding.
- Apicoplast fatty acid synthesis is essential for pellicle formation at the end of cytokinesis in Toxoplasma gondii
Summary: Disruption of the FASII fatty acid synthesis pathway in the apicoplast of Toxoplasma gondii leads to a defect in cleavage furrow formation, preventing completion of cytokinesis.
- A role for the yeast CLIP170 ortholog, the plus-end-tracking protein Bik1, and the Rho1 GTPase in Snc1 trafficking
Summary: In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, cargo trafficking involves microtubule plus-ends and a Bik1-dependent mechanism that requires the presence of the C-terminal aromatic residue of β-tubulin.
- Trafficking of MHC molecules to the cell surface creates dynamic protein patches
Summary: Alterations in the rate of delivery to and of hindered diffusion out of plasma membrane MHC-I patches directly influences the size and persistence of the patches, which could extensively impact on CTL recognition of foreign peptides.
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES
- Non-invasive single-cell biomechanical analysis using live-imaging datasets
Summary: An automated image-morphing-based method, intricately coupled with automated segmentation and multi-criterion path alignment, for a comprehensive label-free analysis of live-cell biomechanics, morphology and migration.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST IN OUR OTHER JOURNALS
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2020 at The Company of Biologists
Despite the challenges of 2020, we were able to bring a number of long-term projects and new ventures to fruition. While we look forward to a new year, join us as we reflect on the triumphs of the last 12 months.
Mole – The Corona Files
"This is not going to go away, 'like a miracle.' We have to do magic. And I know we can."
Mole continues to offer his wise words to researchers on how to manage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cell scientist to watch – Christine Faulkner
In an interview, Christine Faulkner talks about where her interest in plant science began, how she found the transition between Australia and the UK, and shares her thoughts on virtual conferences.
Read & Publish participation extends worldwide
“The clear advantages are rapid and efficient exposure and easy access to my article around the world. I believe it is great to have this publishing option in fast-growing fields in biomedical research.”
Dr Jaceques Behmoaras (Imperial College London) shares his experience of publishing Open Access as part of our growing Read & Publish initiative. We now have over 60 institutions in 12 countries taking part – find out more and view our full list of participating institutions.
JCS and COVID-19
For more information on measures Journal of Cell Science is taking to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, please see here.
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