RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PERSON
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
- Translation initiation in cancer at a glance
Summary: The regulation of protein synthesis is altered in many cancers. This article discusses the role of translation initiation in cancer, including recent advances detailing new targets and therapeutic opportunities.
HYPOTHESIS
- Hit the brakes – a new perspective on the loop extrusion mechanism of cohesin and other SMC complexes
Summary: Co-existing mechanisms underlying sister chromatid tethering and loop extrusion by structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) cohesins complex are discussed. The model is extended to include all eukaryotic SMC complexes.
REVIEW
- Polarisome assembly mediates actin remodeling during polarized yeast and fungal growth
Summary: A review of how the molecular condensation machinery drives dynamic assembly of the yeast macromolecular polarisome complex, and thereby, its activities in actin polymerization and polarized growth.
SHORT REPORT
- The association of Plk1 with the astrin–kinastrin complex promotes formation and maintenance of a metaphase plate
Highlighted Article: Plk1 binds to and phosphorylates the N-terminus of astrin. This promotes recruitment of the astrin complex to kinetochores and stabilises microtubule–kinetochore attachments in situations when mitosis is delayed.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Kindlin-2 promotes rear focal adhesion disassembly and directional persistence during cell migration
Summary: Cell migration is a polarized process that requires adhesion release at the cell rear. Kindlin-2 regulates actomyosin contraction and promotes focal adhesion disassembly and directional persistence at the cell rear.
- Switching between blebbing and lamellipodia depends on the degree of non-muscle myosin II activity
Summary: Migratory plasticity between blebbing and lamellipodia in normal breast cells and breast cancer cells depends on non-muscle myosin II activity, which is fine tuned by ROCK and MLCK.
- Histone chaperone APLF level dictates the implantation of mouse embryos
Summary: Expression and functional studies demonstrate that an epigenetic factor, histone chaperone APLF, plays a significant role in the development and implantation of mouse embryo.
- Distinct roles for prominin-1 and photoreceptor cadherin in outer segment disc morphogenesis in CRISPR-altered X. laevis
Highlighted Article: Prominin-1 aligns and reinforces the leading edges and photoreceptor cadherin maintains higher-order organization. Both prominin-1 and photoreceptor cadherin regulate nascent disc membrane size.
- The protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST mediates hypoxia-induced endothelial autophagy and angiogenesis via AMPK activation
Highlighted Article: The protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST is identified as a major regulator of hypoxia-induced AMPK activation in endothelial cells, which consequently leads to autophagy and angiogenesis.
- Biphasic regulation of glutamine consumption by WNT during osteoblast differentiation
Summary: Inhibition of Slc7a7 or Slc1a5 glutamine transporters prevents WNT-stimulated uptake and blocks osteoblast differentiation, establishing Slc7a7 and Slc1a5 as critical mediators of this process.
- The tight junction protein Claudin-5 limits endothelial cell motility
Summary: The tight junction protein Claudin-5 plays an essential role during zebrafish embryonic development by limiting the motility and enhancing the adhesion of arterial endothelial cells.
- Concurrent depletion of Vps37 proteins evokes ESCRT-I destabilization and profound cellular stress responses
Summary: Endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)-I destabilization upon concurrent depletion of Vps37 proteins is linked to the activation of a sterile inflammatory response and cell growth inhibition.
- Mammary mechanobiology – investigating roles for mechanically activated ion channels in lactation and involution
Highlighted Article: PIEZO1 mechanically activated ion channels are enriched in the mouse mammary gland during lactation but are not essential for mammary epithelial cell function or post-lactational regression in vivo.
- UNC-45A breaks the microtubule lattice independently of its effects on non-muscle myosin II
Highlighted Article: Analyses in vitro and in human and rat cells reveal that UNC-45A is a microtubule-destabilizing protein that acts on microtubules independently of its effects on non-muscle myosin II.
TOOLS AND RESOURCES
- Gap junction internalization and processing in vivo: a 3D immuno-electron microscopy study
Summary: Serial-section electron microscopy combined with immunogold labeling shows that internalized gap junctions undergo complex processing of both inner and outer membranes.
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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.