RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
STICKY WICKET
FIRST PERSON
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
- Membrane trafficking in the retinal pigment epithelium at a glance
Summary: This Cell Science at a Glance article focuses on membrane trafficking events in retinal pigment epithelial cells, which are uniquely specialised to fulfil the multiple functions of this epithelium in supporting vision.
REVIEW
- Diverse cellular functions of barrier-to-autointegration factor and its roles in disease
Summary: BAF (BANF1) orchestrates key cellular processes including cell division, repair of nuclear ruptures, and anti-viral intrinsic immunity.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- The atypical Rho GTPase RhoU interacts with intersectin-2 to regulate endosomal recycling pathways
Summary: Transient interaction between RhoU and ITSN2 on a subset of vesicles regulates cargo recycling.
- Disc-associated proteins mediate the unusual hyperstability of the ventral disc in Giardia lamblia
Highlighted Article: Identification of over 50 disc-associated proteins associated with the ventral disc in G. lamblia, two of which mediate microtubule hyperstability or limit microtubule dynamics.
- Mammalian copper homeostasis requires retromer-dependent recycling of the high-affinity copper transporter 1
Summary: CTR1 (SLC31A1) is the only known mammalian importer of copper. We show that CTR1 is a retromer complex cargo protein, and that retromer is required for cellular sensitivity to extracellular copper.
- The lncRNA MEG3 mediates renal cell cancer progression by regulating ST3Gal1 transcription and EGFR sialylation
Summary: The lncRNA MEG3 mediates renal cell cancer progression. MEG3 regulates ST3Gal1 expression through interaction with the c-Jun transcription factor, with downstream effects on EGFR sialylation and PI3K–AKT signaling.
- Lymphocytes perform reverse adhesive haptotaxis mediated by LFA-1 integrins
Summary: Like mesenchymal cells, lymphocytes perform adhesive haptotaxis, although adhesion is dispensable for amoeboid migration. Moreover, unlike mesenchymal cells, lymphocytes display a unique ability to follow decreasing gradients of adhesion.
- The C-terminal helix of BubR1 is essential for CENP-E-dependent chromosome alignment
Highlighted Article: An acidic patch in the kinetochore-targeting domain of CENP-E is required for association with the C terminus of BubR1 at kinetochores to facilitate chromosome alignment during mitosis.
- BMPR1A is necessary for chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, whereas BMPR1B prevents hypertrophic differentiation
Summary: GDF5 mutants were used to investigate the role of BMPR1A and BMPR1B in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. We found that BMPR1A is necessary for chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, and BMPR1B prevents hypertrophy.
- The Na+ pump Ena1 is a yeast epsin-specific cargo requiring its ubiquitylation and phosphorylation sites for internalization
Summary: Coincidence detection of phosphorylated and ubiquitylated cargo-specific regions is used for epsin target recognition among multiple ubiquitylated proteins in yeast.
- TMEM147 interacts with lamin B receptor, regulates its localization and levels, and affects cholesterol homeostasis
Highlighted Article: ER transmembrane protein TMEM147 impacts on cellular cholesterol homeostasis via physical and functional interactions with LBR and DHCR, two key sterol reductases in cholesterol biosynthesis.
- The structure and symmetry of the radial spoke protein complex in Chlamydomonas flagella
Highlighted Article: A 3D structure of the Chlamydomonas flagella radial spoke was obtained using single particle cryo-EM. Combined with cross-linking mass spectrometry and biophysics data, this allowed localization of components in the radial spoke head and neck regions.
- Pex24 and Pex32 are required to tether peroxisomes to the ER for organelle biogenesis, positioning and segregation in yeast
Highlighted Article: The absence of Pex24 or Pex32, two Hansenula polymorpha ER proteins, disturbs peroxisome–ER contact sites and leads to multiple peroxisomal defects, which can be restored using an artificial tether protein.
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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.