RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
STICKY WICKET
FIRST PERSON
REVIEWS
- Regulation of Cdc42 and its effectors in epithelial morphogenesis
Summary: We review how spatial regulation of the small GTPase Cdc42 promotes polarity and polarized morphogenesis of the plasma membrane, with a focus on the epithelial cell type.
- CORVET, CHEVI and HOPS – multisubunit tethers of the endo-lysosomal system in health and disease
Summary: The multitasking tethering complexes CORVET, CHEVI and HOPS are major organizers of the endocytic pathway. This Review combines current knowledge on their roles in membrane trafficking and diseases.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Ion channel gating in cardiac ryanodine receptors from the arrhythmic RyR2-P2328S mouse
Summary: The RyR2–P2328S mutation, precipitating potentially fatal arrhythmia in humans, can be attributed to leftward shifts in cytoplasmic Ca2+–dependent RyR2 activation and inactivation in the absence of adrenergic stimulation.
- FKBP12 mediates necroptosis by initiating RIPK1–RIPK3–MLKL signal transduction in response to TNF receptor 1 ligation
Highlighted Article: FKBP12 is a novel target protein that acts in initiating necroptosis and the related systemic inflammatory response syndrome triggered by tumor necrosis factor.
- Dkk1 exacerbates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Summary: The Dkk1–Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis has a crucial role in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for treatment of cardiomyopathy caused by clinical use of Dox.
- Connexin 43 maintains tissue polarity and regulates mitotic spindle orientation in the breast epithelium
Summary: Gap junction protein connexin 43 (GJA1) contributes to breast epithelial polarity by modulating mitotic spindle orientation to prevent multilayering of the epithelium typically associated with tumor onset.
- Microtubule nucleation during central spindle assembly requires NEDD1 phosphorylation on serine 405 by Aurora A
Summary: Midzone localization of γ-TuRC-anchoring protein NEDD1 in anaphase results from phosphorylation at serine 405 by Aurora A, regulating microtubule nucleation during central spindle assembly.
- The very-long-chain fatty acid elongase Elo2 rescues lethal defects associated with loss of the nuclear barrier function in fission yeast cells
Highlighted Article: Absence of nuclear membrane proteins Lem2 and Bqt4 causes lethal defects associated with loss of the nuclear barrier function; the very-long-chain fatty acid elongase Elo2 rescues such lethal defects.
- The route of the visual receptor rhodopsin along the cilium
Highlighted Article: The unresolved question of the route that rhodopsin travels along the cilium to accommodate disk membrane morphogenesis was addressed; it was found to be exclusively plasmalemmal.
- Transcytosis maintains CFTR apical polarity in the face of constitutive and mutation-induced basolateral missorting
Highlighted Article: Apical transcytosis is indispensable for the maintenance of highly polarized CFTR expression by counteracting its basolateral missorting from the secretory and apical endocytic pathways in human bronchial epithelial cells.
- Catabolic activity of osteoblast lineage cells contributes to osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro
Summary: Osteoblast lineage cells directly stimulate osteoclastic bone resorption and promote the aggressive trench-resorption mode by exerting a matrix metalloproteinase-dependent catabolic activity.
- STIM1 phosphorylation at Y316 modulates its interaction with SARAF and the activation of SOCE and ICRAC
Summary: STIM1 Y316 phosphorylation results in SARAF dissociation from STIM1, facilitating its activation and interaction with Orai1, then leading to SOCE activation.
- Homeostasis of soluble proteins and the proteasome post nuclear envelope reformation in mitosis
Highlighted Article: Nuclear envelope formation around condensed chromatin excludes cytosolic proteins while nuclear proteins, including the proteasome, are then re-imported by conditional nuclear import mechanisms.
- A unique role for clathrin light chain A in cell spreading and migration
Summary: The highly conserved clathrin light chain A, whose function has been elusive, promotes integrin-mediated signaling, association of clathrin with the WAVE complex, and efficient cell spreading and migration.
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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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