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
This issue
JUMP TO
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
JCS and COVID-19
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on researchers worldwide. The Editors of all The Company of Biologists’ journals have been considering ways in which we can alleviate concerns that members of our community may have around publishing activities during this time. Read about the actions we are taking at this time.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Editorial Office if you have any questions or concerns.
Ricardo Henriques introduces FocalPlane
FocalPlane Scientific Advisory Board member Ricardo Henriques (University College London) gives a brief introduction to our upcoming microscopy community site. Follow us on Twitter @focalplane_jcs or sign up for the latest launch updates.
The Corona Files
“…if there is one thing that is achingly, chillingly clear, if it wasn't already, is that this thing we do is really, really important.”
Our resident insectivore, Mole, has started a new series – The Corona Files. Follow Mole’s weekly musings on how COVID-19 is changing the landscape for researchers.
Do you have an idea for a Workshop?
Our Workshop programme may be on hold for now, but we are welcoming ideas for the 2022 line-up. The proposal deadline is 29 May 2020, so find out how to pitch your idea to the Workshop Committee in good time.
Call for papers: Cell Biology of Host-Pathogen Interactions
Showcase your breakthrough research on all aspects of cell biology relating to host-pathogen interactions for our upcoming Special Issue. Articles must be received by 30 July 2020 for consideration. Find out more about the scope, publication schedule and how to submit your manuscript.