IN THIS ISSUE
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
- Tenascin-C at a glance
Summary: Tenascin-C is an extracellular matrix molecule that shapes cell behavior in developing and traumatized tissues, and has a great potential in disease diagnosis and tissue repair.
COMMENTARY
- Mechanisms and functions of lysosome positioning
Summary: We review recent findings on the mechanisms that mediate the motility and positioning of lysosomes, and the importance of lysosome dynamics for cell physiology and pathology.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- The role and regulation of Rab40b–Tks5 complex during invadopodia formation and cancer cell invasion
Highlighted Article: Rab40b plays a key role in mediating invadopodia function during breast cancer cell invasion by binding to Tks5 and functioning as a tether mediating MMP2 and MMP9 targeting to the extending invadopodia.
- Drosophila vinculin is more harmful when hyperactive than absent, and can circumvent integrin to form adhesion complexes
Summary: Development is more sensitive to gain of vinculin activity than its loss, and vinculin can promote cytoplasmic adhesion complexes independently of the usual integrin cue.
- Yeast cells reveal the misfolding and the cellular mislocalization of the human BRCA1 protein
Highlighted Article: The functional impact of missense mutations is difficult to predict. Yeast cells detect the misfolding effects of these types of mutations in the human BRCA1 protein, revealing an associated nuclear transport impairment.
- CABYR is essential for fibrous sheath integrity and progressive motility in mouse spermatozoa
Summary: Removal of Cabyr by using CRISPR-Cas9 results in mouse spermatozoa with a disorganized fibrous sheath, impaired motility and a subsequent loss of their ability to fertilize oocytes.
- Junctophilin-2 in the nanoscale organisation and functional signalling of ryanodine receptor clusters in cardiomyocytes
Highlighted Article: The availability of the membrane tether junctophilin-2 determines the nanostructure of the fast intracellular Ca2+ signalling junctions but, if present above a minimum required level, forms an auto-regulatory mechanism which maintains local Ca2+ signals broadly independent of the structural differences.
- Cell coupling mediated by connexin 26 selectively contributes to reduced adhesivity and increased migration
Summary: Gap junction expression has been linked to enhanced metastasis and cell migration. We show here that Cx26 gap junctions selectively enhance cell migration by disrupting N-cadherin-based cell adhesion in HeLa cells.
- Acute stimulation of glucose influx upon mitoenergetic dysfunction requires LKB1, AMPK, Sirt2 and mTOR–RAPTOR
Highlighted Article: Dysfunction of mitochondria and subsequently energy generation occurs in many human diseases. Here, we propose a mechanism that allows rapid activation of glucose influx to prevent energy crisis during such dysfunction.
- Vps34 regulates Rab7 and late endocytic trafficking through recruitment of the GTPase-activating protein Armus
Summary: The class III PI3K Vps34 activates Armus (TBC1D2), a Rab7 GTPase-activating protein, to regulate endosomal trafficking.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST IN OUR OTHER JOURNALS
From Development
This issue
JUMP TO
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
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.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hestiate to contact the Editorial Office.