IN THIS ISSUE
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
- Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay in humans at a glance
Summary: In humans, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay prevents the synthesis of potentially toxic proteins from mutated mRNAs, and also regulates 10% of physiological mRNAs that promote cellular adaptation to changing environments.
COMMENTARY
- Cellular structural biology as revealed by cryo-electron tomography
Summary: Visualization of macromolecules, organelles and cells by cryo-ET allows for structural analysis in a near-native environment. Recent technological advances have revealed unprecedented structural details.
SHORT REPORT
- Drosophila p120-catenin is crucial for endocytosis of the dynamic E-cadherin–Bazooka complex
Summary: In Drosophila, p120-catenin facilitates endocytosis of the dynamic E-cadherin, which is followed by its recycling. Consequently, p120-catenin regulates cell shape and promotes the ability of cells to exchange neighbours.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Activation of the IGF1 pathway mediates changes in cellular contractility and motility in single-suture craniosynostosis
Highlighted Article: Insulin growth factor 1 (IGF1) activation mediates changes in cellular contractility and migration in single-suture craniosynostosis (SSC) osteoblasts.
- Germline deletion of huntingtin causes male infertility and arrested spermiogenesis in mice
Summary: Conditional knockout of Htt in the male germ cells reveals that Htt might play an important role in spermatogenesis by regulating translation and DNA packaging in the testis.
- Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy mutations impair TRC40-mediated targeting of emerin to the inner nuclear membrane
Highlighted Article: Emerin is a tail-anchored protein of the inner nuclear membrane. Here, post-translational membrane insertion of emerin is analyzed, revealing a prominent role for the TRC40 pathway.
- Inhibition of motor neuron death in vitro and in vivo by a p75 neurotrophin receptor intracellular domain fragment
Summary: A peptide mimetic of the p75NTR intracellular domain potentiates the survival of motor neurons in vivo by redressing the neurotrophin signaling imbalance in neurodegenerative conditions.
- Role of Securin, Separase and Cohesins in female meiosis and polar body formation in Drosophila
Highlighted Article: Although Drosophila lacks a Rec8 homologue, the Rec8-specific protease, Separase and its regulator, Securin are essential for release of cohesion.
- Myo19 is an outer mitochondrial membrane motor and effector of starvation-induced filopodia
Summary: Myo19 is an effector of starvation-induced filopodia formation and is directly anchored to the outer mitochondrial membrane.
- Cathepsin D and its newly identified transport receptor SEZ6L2 can modulate neurite outgrowth
Highlighted Article: SEZ6L2 participates in the intracellular trafficking of the hydrolase cathepsin D. In turn, proteolytic cleavage of SEZ6L2 by cathepsin D modulates the neurite outgrowth process.
- FGF2 inhibits endothelial–mesenchymal transition through microRNA-20a-mediated repression of canonical TGF-β signaling
Summary: FGF2 induces the expression of miR-20a, which targets the TGFβ receptor complex and abolishes endothelial–mesenchymal transition, a process that has a major role in fibroproliferative diseases.
- Identification of RNF168 as a PML nuclear body regulator
Summary: RNF168 was identified as a negative regulator of PML nuclear bodies, and shown to associate with PML nuclear bodies and hybrid SUMO2–ubiquitin chains.
- Interaction between MyRIP and the actin cytoskeleton regulates Weibel–Palade body trafficking and exocytosis
Summary: The role of MyRIP in restricting the movement and exocytosis of Weibel–Palade bodies in endothelial cells is mediated primarily through its actin- rather than myosin-Va-binding properties.
- WHAMY is a novel actin polymerase promoting myoblast fusion, macrophage cell motility and sensory organ development in Drosophila
Summary: Here, we characterize WHAMY, the fourth member of the Drosophila WASP family. We found that WHAMY is a novel actin polymerase.
- WDR8 is a centriolar satellite and centriole-associated protein that promotes ciliary vesicle docking during ciliogenesis
Summary: WDR8 is a centriolar and pericentriolar satellite protein. WDR8 is targeted to the centrioles by the proximal end protein Cep135. Cep135 and WDR8 are required for ciliary-vesicle docking during ciliogenesis.
- PI3K regulates endocytosis after insulin secretion by mediating signaling crosstalk between Arf6 and Rab27a
Summary: The insulin secretagogue glucose activates PI3K and induces endocytosis through promoting signaling crosstalk between Arf6 and Rab27a pathways.
CORRECTION
ARTICLES OF INTEREST IN OTHER COB 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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