RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PERSON
REVIEWS
- The ubiquitin-like modifier FAT10 – much more than a proteasome-targeting signal
Summary: The determination of the structure of FAT10 has advanced our understanding of this unique ubiquitin-like modifier. Here, the latest insights about the function of non-covalent binding and conjugation to recently identified substrates are reviewed.
- Mitochondrial dynamics during spermatogenesis
Summary: Spermatogenesis in mammals is associated with developmental changes in mitochondrial structure and metabolism. Mitochondrial dynamics has emerged as a key factor regulating mammalian spermatogenesis.
SHORT REPORT
- Disease-associated keratin mutations reduce traction forces and compromise adhesion and collective migration
Summary: An epidermolysis bullosa simplex-associated keratin mutation causes defects in mechanotransduction. Keratin networks regulate traction force generation through a Rho signaling pathway upstream of cell–ECM adhesion formation and organized cell migration.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- PP2A-B55γ counteracts Cdk1 and regulates proper spindle orientation through the cortical dynein adaptor NuMA
Summary: PP2A-B55γ orchestrates mitotic spindle behavior by dephosphorylating NuMA.
- Conserved regions of budding yeast Tim22 have a role in structural organization of the carrier translocase
Summary: The functional significance of different regions of Tim22 remains elusive. We find that conserved regions of Tim22 play distinct roles in associations with partner subunits, thereby maintaining carrier translocase integrity.
- PP2ACdc55 dephosphorylates Pds1 and inhibits spindle elongation in S. cerevisiae
Summary: PP2ACdc55-dependent Pds1 dephosphorylation leads to a dissociation of Esp1 from Pds1 causing an inhibition of spindle elongation, which plays a role in replication stress.
- Osmotic gradients induce stable dome morphogenesis on extracellular matrix
Summary: Basal hypertonic stress induces stable domes by both the swelling of extracellular matrix and aquaporin water transport.
- Chromokinesin KIF4A teams up with stathmin 1 to regulate abscission in a SUMO-dependent manner
Summary: A new mechanism of abscission regulation is identified through the dynamic interactions between KIF4A and stathmin 1 as controlled by SUMO modification of KIF4A.
- RGS4 controls secretion of von Willebrand factor to the subendothelial matrix
Summary: Changes in RGS4 expression alter levels of subendothelial, matrix-associated VWF, affecting platelet recruitment in a model of endothelial damage. This introduces a novel control over VWF function.
- H3K9me3 maintenance on a human artificial chromosome is required for segregation but not centromere epigenetic memory
Summary: Pericentric heterochromatin is dispensable for centromere epigenetic memory, but is required to stabilize centromere protein levels and accurate mitotic segregation. Pericentric heterochromatin levels can also recover after severe depletion.
- Cardiolipin is required for membrane docking of mitochondrial ribosomes and protein synthesis
Summary: Cardiolipin stabilises the interaction of the mitochondrial ribosome with the membrane to enable insertion of newly synthesised mitochondrial proteins into the inner membrane and form the respiratory chain supercomplexes.
- Vesicular and uncoated Rab1-dependent cargo carriers facilitate ER to Golgi transport
Highlighted Article: Live-cell de novo cargo trafficking has revealed that secretory cargo is capable of leaving the endoplasmic reticulum in COPII-uncoated Rab1-dependent vesicle carriers.
- Staufen1 localizes to the mitotic spindle and controls the localization of RNA populations to the spindle
Highlighted Article: The RNA-binding protein Staufen1 mediates the localization of pre-ribosomal RNAs on mitotic spindle suggesting a novel role of Staufen1 in ribosome biogenesis and nucleoli reassembly.
- Decidual glycodelin-A polarizes human monocytes into a decidual macrophage-like phenotype through Siglec-7
Summary: Glycodelin-A is one of the key factors that induces the polarization of monocytes into decidual macrophages to regulate fetomaternal tolerance and placental development.
- Endothelial protective factors BMP9 and BMP10 inhibit CCL2 release by human vascular endothelial cells
Summary: Two proteins found in the blood, BMP9 and BMP10, reduce the production of CCL2, a protein that recruits inflammatory cells to the blood vessel wall.
- FAT10 localises in dendritic cell aggresome-like induced structures and contributes to their disassembly
Summary: DALIS are cytoplasmic aggregates of ubiquitylated proteins and antigens in maturing dendritic cells. Ubiquitin-like modifier FAT10 is shown to localise to DALIS and to be involved in their disassembly.
- Gain-of-function genetic screen of the kinome reveals BRSK2 as an inhibitor of the NRF2 transcription factor
Summary: BRSK2 suppresses NRF2 signaling by inhibiting protein synthesis through mTOR downregulation.
- A heterodimeric SNX4–SNX7 SNX-BAR autophagy complex coordinates ATG9A trafficking for efficient autophagosome assembly
Summary: A heterodimeric SNX4–SNX7 SNX-BAR complex regulates mammalian autophagosome assembly through the control of ATG9 trafficking.
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
- A semi-automated machine learning-aided approach to quantitative analysis of centrosomes and microtubule organization
Summary: A quantitative image-processing and machine learning-aided approach for the semi-automated analysis of centrosome amplification and MT organization defects in breast cancer cells.
- Histone modification dynamics as revealed by multicolor immunofluorescence-based single-cell analysis
Highlighted Article: Profiling histone modification dynamics during the cell cycle, in response to lysine demethylase overexpression and upon chemical inhibitor treatments.
- GDNF drives rapid tubule morphogenesis in a novel 3D in vitro model for ADPKD
Highlighted Article: A new three-dimensional in vitro model drives tubule morphogenesis with the addition of GDNF and demonstrates methods for interrogating the initiation of ADPKD cystogenesis.
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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.