RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PERSON
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
OPINION
- The path to VICTORy – a beginner's guide to success using commercial research antibodies
Summary: Much anguish, talent, time and money are expended on cell biology using inadequately characterized commercial research antibodies, and this can lead to bad science. I summarize the situation and suggest accessible solutions.
REVIEW
- How alternative splicing affects membrane-trafficking dynamics
Summary: This Review summarizes how trafficking is molecularly influenced by alternative splicing and how this interplay impacts physiology and pathological conditions.
SHORT REPORTS
- A systematic survey of conformational states in β1 and β4 integrins using negative-stain electron microscopy
Summary: A systematic structural analysis using negative-stain electron microscopy on many different β1 and β4 integrins showed no large ‘switchblade-like’ conformational change coupled to their affinity states.
- Phosphorylation of XIAP at threonine 180 controls its activity in Wnt signaling
Summary: Threonine 180 is a critical site on XIAP that directs the activity of XIAP in Wnt signaling, but not apoptosis, allowing for the possibility of designing Wnt-specific therapeutics that target this site.
- The GET pathway can increase the risk of mitochondrial outer membrane proteins to be mistargeted to the ER
Summary: The GET machinery can, in principle, process mitochondrial proteins but, under normal conditions, active mitochondrial targeting pathways dominate the kinetic competition against GET recognition.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Multiple roles of epithelial heparan sulfate in stomach morphogenesis
Summary: Heparan sulfate is highly expressed in the embryonic mammalian stomach and is required for gastric development, including stratification of forestomach and specification of glandular stomach.
- BAMBI is a novel HIF1-dependent modulator of TGFβ-mediated disruption of cell polarity during hypoxia
Summary: Hypoxia disrupts the polarity of MDCK cysts in a HIF1α-dependent manner by modulating the TGFβ pathway. BAMBI is identified as a novel HIF1-regulated gene that contributes to the hypoxia-induced polarity defect.
- The VLDL receptor regulates membrane progesterone receptor trafficking and non-genomic signaling
Summary: VLDLR is a chaperone important for membrane progesterone receptor (mPR) trafficking and is required for non-genomic progesterone signaling.
- 14-3-3 proteins regulate desmosomal adhesion via plakophilins
Summary: Growth factor signaling regulates the phosphorylation-dependent association of plakophilins 1 and 3 with 14-3-3 isoforms, revealing partially antagonistic functions of 14-3-3 proteins in the regulation of desmosomes.
- Activated ezrin controls MISP levels to ensure correct NuMA polarization and spindle orientation
Summary: Activated ezrin controls cortical MISP levels, which are necessary for proper NuMA polarization at the cortex and, hence, precise spindle orientation.
- Lysosome enlargement during inhibition of the lipid kinase PIKfyve proceeds through lysosome coalescence
Summary: PIKfyve inhibition causes lysosomes to coalesce, resulting in fewer, enlarged lysosomes; TFEB-mediated lysosome biosynthesis does not contribute to swelling.
- Expansion of DUB functionality generated by alternative isoforms – USP35, a case study
Highlighted Article: An analysis of USP35 shows that alternative isoforms can substantially contribute to expanding the functionality of deubiquitylating enzymes, hence allowing them to regulate multiple intracellular ubiquitylation events.
- Tissue stiffening promotes keratinocyte proliferation through activation of epidermal growth factor signaling
Summary: Increased matrix stiffness promotes keratinocyte proliferation through activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor both in vitro and in keloid scars.
- Mitochondrial cAMP exerts positive feedback on mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake via the recruitment of Epac1
Highlighted Article: The Ca2+-dependent formation of mitochondrial cAMP by matrix-localized soluble adenylyl cyclase intensifies further Ca2+ uptake into the organelle; this convergence of signalling pathways supports steroidogenesis.
- The Ajuba family protein Wtip regulates actomyosin contractility during vertebrate neural tube closure
Highlighted Article: Wtip is a tension-sensitive cytoskeletal adaptor that binds Shroom3 and modulates Shroom3-dependent apical constriction during Xenopus neurulation.
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
- SunRiSE – measuring translation elongation at single-cell resolution by means of flow cytometry
Highlighted Article: A novel method to measure translation elongation rate and intensity in complex and heterogeneous cell populations by combining puromycilation, translation run-off experiment and flow cytometry detection is presented.
- Micropatterning as a tool to identify regulatory triggers and kinetics of actin-mediated endothelial mechanosensing
Summary: A specifically tailored set of micropatterns is used as a cell biological tool to study the regulation of mechanosensitive transcription factors in an angiogenesis model.
- RNAi screening identifies a mechanosensitive ROCK-JAK2-STAT3 network central to myofibroblast activation
Summary: Myofibroblasts are key drivers of fibrosis. Here, RNAi screening is used to identify novel regulators of myofibroblast activation, and a matrix-stiffness-dependent STAT3 activation pathway is identified.
CORRECTIONS
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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.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hestiate to contact the Editorial Office.