RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
STICKY WICKET
FIRST PERSON
REVIEWS
- Lipid droplet–membrane contact sites – from protein binding to function
Summary: This Review summarizes the main principles of protein-lipid droplet (LD) interactions and recent evidence indicating the importance of contact sites with other organelles in the regulation of LD functions.
- Molecular form and function of the cytokinetic ring
Summary: This Review highlights new findings about the arrangement of molecules within the force-generating cytokinetic ring from studies using advanced microscopy techniques and in vitro approaches.
SHORT REPORT
- The asymmetric chemical structures of two mating pheromones reflect their differential roles in mating of fission yeast
Summary: Lipid pheromone peptides secreted locally from one cell may be concentrated at the fusion site with an opposite mating-type cell, which then polarizes to enable successful conjugation in S. pombe.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Yeast ceramide synthases, Lag1 and Lac1, have distinct substrate specificity
Highlighted Article: Distinct substrate specificities of Lag1 and Lac1, the two yeast ceramide synthases, are revealed, shedding light on their physiological roles.
- Dual role for fungal-specific outer kinetochore proteins during cell cycle and development in Magnaporthe oryzae
Summary: DASH complex proteins are differentially recruited to the nucleus during cell division and are intriguingly involved in polarised growth during development and differentiation in the rice blast fungus.
- HsSAS-6-dependent cartwheel assembly ensures stabilization of centriole intermediates
Summary: The cartwheel structure, a universal template of the centriole, is necessary for the integrity of centriole intermediates up to the early S phase, but dispensable for subsequent centriole elongation and maturation.
- RACK1 evolved species-specific multifunctionality in translational control through sequence plasticity within a loop domain
Highlighted Article: Sequence divergence within a poorly understood loop domain of RACK1 functions to control two distinct aspects of translation in different species.
- Nup358 regulates microridge length by controlling SUMOylation-dependent activity of aPKC in zebrafish epidermis
Summary: Microridges on the apical surface of zebrafish peridermal cells are regulated by the conserved polarity kinase aPKC. We show that Nup358-mediated SUMO-modification of aPKC is crucial for this function.
- Spindle checkpoint silencing at kinetochores with submaximal microtubule occupancy
Highlighted Article: To finalize mitosis, half-maximal occupancy of kinetochores by microtubules is sufficient to overcome the inhibitory effect of the spindle assembly checkpoint.
- New roles for the de-ubiquitylating enzyme OTUD4 in an RNA–protein network and RNA granules
Highlighted Article: Novel functions for the de-ubiquitylating enzyme OTUD4 in RNA binding, stress granule formation and neuronal RNA transport granules are presented.
- WIP-1 and DBN-1 promote scission of endocytic vesicles by bridging actin and Dynamin-1 in the C. elegans intestine
Summary: WIP-1 and DBN-1, two actin-binding proteins, link the actin assembly to endocytic sites and cooperate with DYN-1 for clathrin-coated vesicle scission in the C. elegans intestine.
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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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