RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PERSON
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
- Survivin at a glance
Summary: A mini-review highlighting our current understanding of the structure, function and cancer implications of survivin biology 21 years on from its initial discovery.
REVIEW
- Bacterial mechanosensing: the force will be with you, always
Summary: Very little is known about whether, and how, prokaryotes sense and respond to mechanical inputs. We review the emerging field of bacterial mechanosensing and indicate promising directions for future investigation.
SHORT REPORT
- Microtubule acetylation but not detyrosination promotes focal adhesion dynamics and astrocyte migration
Summary: Microtubule acetylation and detyrosination are independently regulated and have distinct functions during migration, with microtubule acetylation facilitating the turnover of focal adhesions.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Phosphorylation at distinct subcellular locations underlies specificity in mTORC2-mediated activation of SGK1 and Akt
Summary: The highly related but functionally distinct kinases, Akt and SGK1, are uniquely targeted by mTORC2; SGK1, but not Akt, requires mTORC2 phosphorylation at a perinuclear compartment for its activation.
- ERK1/2 phosphorylates HIF-2α and regulates its activity by controlling its CRM1-dependent nuclear shuttling
Summary: Phosphorylation by ERK1/2 stimulates transcriptional activity of hypoxia-inducible factor-2α by inhibiting its CRM1- and NES-dependent nuclear export.
- DSS-induced damage to basement membranes is repaired by matrix replacement and crosslinking
Highlighted Article: When fed to Drosophila, the irritant DSS reproducibly damages basement membranes around the midgut. We show that this damage is repaired by a mechanism that requires matrix replacement and crosslinking.
- NHX-type Na+(K+)/H+ antiporters are required for TGN/EE trafficking and endosomal ion homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana
Summary: Plant NHX cation/proton exchangers are important for endosomal function and protein trafficking, highlighting the importance of controlling intracellular pH and ion homeostasis.
- Distinct functions of a cGMP-dependent protein kinase in nerve terminal growth and synaptic vesicle cycling
Summary: This work highlights the multifaceted nature of kinases and provides mechanistic insight into how neurons balance synaptic vesicle exocytosis and endocytosis by identifying a cGMP-dependent protein kinase as a key regulator.
- VAPB depletion alters neuritogenesis and phosphoinositide balance in motoneuron-like cells: relevance to VAPB-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Summary: VAPB downregulation delays neurite elongation and increases Golgi- and acidic vesicle-associated phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate in motoneuron-like cells, suggesting novel mechanisms for VAPB-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
- Import of extracellular ATP in yeast and man modulates AMPK and TORC1 signalling
Summary: ATP and AMP import from external environments modifies growth control in yeast and man.
- Organization and function of tension-dependent complexes at adherens junctions
Summary: This study characterizes the localization of Jub during development in Drosophila, and identifies a novel role for Jub in controlling myosin distribution and epithelial organization through regulation of cytohesin localization.
- SUMOylation of the nuclear pore complex basket is involved in sensing cellular stresses
Summary: Post-translational modifications, and in particular SUMOylation, of the nuclear basket subcomplex of the nuclear pore complex serve in its function as a sensor for mediating cellular stress signals.
- Drosophila Ptp4E regulates vesicular packaging for monoamine-neuropeptide co-transmission
Highlighted Article: Although small-molecule and neuropeptide transmitters are packaged independently, a receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase regulates packaging of both transmitter classes, establishing a mechanism for scaling co-transmission.
- TMEM30A deficiency in endothelial cells impairs cell proliferation and angiogenesis
Summary: Deletion of TMEM30A in endothelial cells causes impaired cell proliferation, reduced tip cells and delayed vascular development toward the deep layers in the retina.
- NIK–IKK complex interaction controls NF-κB-dependent inflammatory activation of endothelium in response to LTβR ligation
Highlighted Article: Accumulation of NIK, resulting from ligation of the lymphotoxin-β receptor, induces long-term IKK complex activation and potent enhancement of canonical NF-κB-mediated inflammation in human vascular endothelial cells.
- A nuclear localization signal targets tail-anchored membrane proteins to the inner nuclear envelope in plants
Highlighted Article: A nuclear localization signal and a terminal transmembrane domain are sufficient to allow trafficking of proteins to the inner nuclear envelope in plants.
- Talin-mediated force transmission and talin rod domain unfolding independently regulate adhesion signaling
Highlighted Article: Transmission of mechanical forces through talin regulates adhesion complex composition and phosphotyrosine signaling. Talin rod subdomains and their mechanical activation are required for cell polarization 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.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hestiate to contact the Editorial Office.