IN THIS ISSUE
FIRST PERSON
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
- Actin assembly mechanisms at a glance
Summary: The morphological diversity and distinct dynamics of mammalian actin structures are established by coordinating the targeting and activation of actin filament nucleators, elongators and associated myosin motor proteins.
HYPOTHESIS
- A rim-and-spoke hypothesis to explain the biomechanical roles for cytoplasmic intermediate filament networks
Summary: The cytoplasmic intermediate filament comprises a rim and spoke arrangement supporting the plasma membrane and connecting to the nucleus, to deliver their mechanosensory functions.
SHORT REPORT
- Loss of OCRL increases ciliary PI(4,5)P2 in Lowe oculocerebrorenal syndrome
Summary: Lack of OCRL elevates PI(4,5)P2 levels in primary cilia of human patient cells and cells from a mouse model of Lowe syndrome, supporting a role for OCRL in ciliary phosphoinositide regulation.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- LPP3 mediates self-generation of chemotactic LPA gradients by melanoma cells
Highlighted Article: Melanoma cells can create and follow their own gradients of attractant, via a new mechanism by which tumour cells may undergo metastasis.
- A PGAM5–KEAP1–Nrf2 complex is required for stress-induced mitochondrial retrograde trafficking
Summary: Mitochondria undergo retrograde trafficking in response to proteasome inhibition. Disruption of the mitochondrial PGAM5-KEAP1-Nrf2 complex leads to degradation of the mitochondrial GTPase Miro2 and inhibition of stress-induced mitochondrial trafficking.
- The deubiquitylase USP10 regulates integrin β1 and β5 and fibrotic wound healing
Highlighted Article: The deubiquitylase USP10 regulates αv integrin protein levels, fibrotic markers and myofibroblast persistence in a wound. Ubiquitin-mediated pathways should thus be considered in the pathogenesis of fibrotic healing.
- C-terminal motifs in promyelocytic leukemia protein isoforms critically regulate PML nuclear body formation
Summary: The formation of PML-NBs, important sub-nuclear protein structures, is differentially regulated by the unique C-terminal portion of each PML isoform.
- Drosophila Atlastin in motor neurons is required for locomotion and presynaptic function
Highlighted Article: Disruption of Drosophila motor neuron Atlastin produces locomotor defects, axonal trafficking disorganization and synaptic dysfunction, providing insights into the cellular and pathological roles of neuronal atlastin in human spastic paraplegias.
- Vinexin family (SORBS) proteins play different roles in stiffness-sensing and contractile force generation
Summary: Comparing the functions of vinexin family (SORBS) proteins reveals that vinexin-α and CAP regulate vinculin behavior depending on the stiffness of the extracellular matrix, while ArgBP2 plays a role in generating greater contractile forces.
- Optogenetic interrogation of integrin αVβ3 function in endothelial cells
Highlighted Article: Optogenetics show that the interaction of kindlin-2 with β3 integrin and other binding partners supports endothelial cell functions relevant to angiogenesis, including sprouting and podosome formation.
- LDL switches the LRP6 internalization route from flotillin dependent to clathrin dependent in hepatic cells
Summary: LRP6 is transcytosed with Niemann–Pick C1-like 1 protein, which mediates cholesterol absorption from the bile, to the apical membrane of hepatic cells, and LDL alters LRP6 trafficking to the lysosome.
- Sequential activities of Dynein, Mud and Asp in centrosome–spindle coupling maintain centrosome number upon mitosis
Highlighted Article: Centrosomes are tightly coupled to the bipolar spindle. In Drosophila, Dynein and Mud initiate the centrosome–spindle coupling during prophase, whereas Asp is necessary to maintain it during metaphase.
- Arl8b is required for lysosomal degradation of maternal proteins in the visceral yolk sac endoderm of mouse embryos
Summary: The small GTPase Arl8b, known to be involved in lysosomal function, contributes to mouse embryonic growth by mediating lysosomal degradation of maternal proteins in the visceral yolk sac endoderm.
- Lipopolysaccharide modulates p300 and Sirt1 to promote PRMT1 stability via an SCFFbxl17-recognized acetyldegron
Summary: Bacteria-derived endotoxin LPS downregulates both the acetyltransferase p300 and the deacetylase Sirt1 to promote PRMT1 protein stability via an SCFFbxl17 E3 ligase-recognized acetydegron that augments bronchial epithelial cell overgrowth.
- Association of FK506 binding proteins with RyR channels – effect of CLIC2 binding on sub-conductance opening and FKBP binding
Summary: FK506 binding proteins influence RyR gating and this contributes to excess Ca2+ release in the CLIC2 RyR channelopathy.