Table of Contents
Volume 10, Number 11
November 2009
pp 1183-1279
Editorial
Top of pageBoycott everything FREE
This month, Howy Jacobs draws lessons from the Vietnam War and Soviet Russia to answer the question: is an academic boycott ever relevant and appropriate?
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1183, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.228
Subject Categories:
Science & Society
Top of pageOpinion
Academic freedom in Israel and Palestine
Steven Rose makes his case for an academic boycott of Israel in response to the situation of Palestinian scientists.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1184, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.229
Subject Categories:
Correspondence
Left is right, right is wrong
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1185 - 1186, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.227
Is the end in cite?
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1186, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.235
Viewpoint
Genetically modified abominations?
Widespread opposition to GMOs might have deep-seated cultural causes
Our sometimes-irrational aversion to certain taboos is often rooted in rational, historical explanations. Modern societies have disposed of many historically relevant taboos, but Jakub Kwieci
ski wonders whether aversion to genetically modified organisms might be one of those that remainsJakub Kwieci
skiEMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1187 - 1190, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.230
Published online: 23 October 2009
Subject Categories:
Beyond us FREE
Is a world without humans possible?
Although humans have become the predominant species on Earth, it is not a given that they will remain so. Valentí Rull explores possible future scenarios for humanity and explains why we should investigate the future evolution of Homo sapiens using the tools of modern science.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1191 - 1195, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.225
Published online: 16 October 2009
Subject Categories:
Analysis
Home is where the bench is
International mobility is not restricted to young scientists
Scientists have always travelled to share knowledge and ideas, or to flee from tyranny and oppressive regimes. Yet, the past decade has seen many more setting out for distant shores: Howard Wolinsky explores their motivations.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1196 - 1198, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.226
Subject Categories:
How smart is smart?
Is human intelligence still evolving?
Intelligence likely evolved among social animals and became an important factor for the rise of human civilisation. Philip Hunter follows the debate of how and why human intelligence is still evolving and in which direction.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1198 - 1201, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.234
Subject Categories:
Reviews
Top of pageMeeting Report
Cancer proteomics—an evolving battlefield
Conference on Cancer Proteomics 2009: Mechanistic Insights, Technological Advances & Molecular Medicine
The latest advances in the study of cancer proteomes are discussed in this report, as well as the possibilities that this kind of research affords for the elucidation of oncogenic mechanisms and the identification of biomarkers and new drug targets.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1202 - 1205, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.222
Published online: 02 October 2009
Subject Categories:
Protein quality control—linking the unfolded protein response to disease
Conference on 'From Unfolded Proteins in the Endoplasmic Reticulum to Disease'
The proper folding of proteins is essential for cellular homeostasis and prevention of an ever-growing number of diseases. Here, the authors highlight recent breakthroughs in the study of the unfolded protein response and new strategies to combat the diseases caused by its malfunction.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1206 - 1210, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.224
- Full text
- PDF (484 KB) - Protein quality control[mdash]linking the unfolded protein response to disease
Published online: 23 October 2009
Subject Categories:
Literature Report
V for victory—a V1-ATPase structure revealed
V-ATPases acidify intracellular compartments and the intercellular matrix and are essential for life. They are implicated in various diseases and structural information is crucial. The elucidation of its structure by Numoto et al. will provide insights into its function and aid in drug design.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1211 - 1212, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.231
Published online: 16 October 2009
Subject Categories:
Concept
Modifications of RNA polymerase II are pivotal in regulating gene expression states
RNA polymerase II has been found at almost every genomic location, including silent genes. Brookes & Pombo analyse its different post-translational modifications and their functional outcomes, suggesting a mechanism whereby the transcription of silent genes might be dissociated from productive expression, and the sophisticated interplay between the transcriptional machinery, Polycomb repression and RNA processing.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1213 - 1219, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.221
- Abstract - Modifications of RNA polymerase II are pivotal in regulating gene expression states
- Full text
- PDF (592 KB) - Modifications of RNA polymerase II are pivotal in regulating gene expression states
Published online: 16 October 2009
Subject Categories:
Towards a small animal model for hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus causes chronic liver disease and affects approximately 3% of the world's population. The preventive and therapeutic options against HCV are limited and highly toxic, and there is no vaccine available. In the face of this reality, Ploss & Rice discuss possible steps forward to obtain a long-sought small animal model for hepatitis C, taking into account recently discovered tropism determinants.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1220 - 1227, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.223
- Abstract - Towards a small animal model for hepatitis C
- Full text
- PDF (486 KB) - Towards a small animal model for hepatitis C
Published online: 16 October 2009
Subject Category:
Scientific Reports
Top of pageInter-subunit interaction and quaternary rearrangement defined by the central stalk of prokaryotic V1-ATPase FREE
This crystallographic study from Numoto et al. reveals inter-subunit interactions in V1-ATPase, composed of the A, B, D and F subunits. In comparison with previous studies of F1-ATPase, the structure reveals characteristic features such as a lack of ternary changes at the catalytic subunits and the linear architecture of the central stalk. These findings provide novel insights into the rotation mechanisms of two rotary ATPases.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1228 - 1234, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.202
- Abstract - Inter-subunit interaction and quaternary rearrangement defined by the central stalk of prokaryotic V: 1: -ATPase
- Full text
- PDF (2,398 KB) - Inter-subunit interaction and quaternary rearrangement defined by the central stalk of prokaryotic V: 1: -ATPase
- Supplementary information
Published online: 25 September 2009
Subject Category:
Structural basis for recognition of H3K4 methylation status by the DNA methyltransferase 3A ATRX–DNMT3–DNMT3L domain
Otani and colleagues report that the de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A might be recruited to chromatin via its ADD domain through recognition of the modification state of histone H3. They also provide evidence that the ADD domain binds to the H3 tail in a mutually exclusive manner with the chromo domain of HP1a. These findings imply that an alteration of chromatin structure is required for de novo DNA methylation by DNMT3A.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1235 - 1241, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.218
- Abstract - Structural basis for recognition of H3K4 methylation status by the DNA methyltransferase 3A ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L domain
- Full text
- PDF (1,167 KB) - Structural basis for recognition of H3K4 methylation status by the DNA methyltransferase 3A ATRX-DNMT3-DNMT3L domain
- Supplementary information
Published online: 16 October 2009
Subject Categories:
Helicobacter pylori CagA activates NF-
B by targeting TAK1 for TRAF6-mediated Lys 63 ubiquitination
Infection with Helicobacter pylori is often linked to gastritis and gastric adenocarcinoma. Novel research from the Chen laboratory now reveals the identity of the signaling pathway that is hijacked by the pathogen's virulence factor, CagA, in order to activate the inflammation-regulating transcription factor NF-
B.EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1242 - 1249, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.210
- Abstract - Helicobacter pylori: CagA activates NF-[kappa]B by targeting TAK1 for TRAF6-mediated Lys 63 ubiquitination
- Full text
- PDF (745 KB) - Helicobacter pylori: CagA activates NF-[kappa]B by targeting TAK1 for TRAF6-mediated Lys 63 ubiquitination
- Supplementary information
Published online: 09 October 2009
Subject Category:
Efficient protection and isolation of ubiquitylated proteins using tandem ubiquitin-binding entities
Hjerpe et al have developed a new molecular tool called TUBEs (Tandem-repeated Ubiquitin-binding Entities) for the purification of endogenous poly-ubiquitylated proteins. TUBEs also serve to protect ubiquitylated proteins by blocking deubiquitylating enzymes and proteasomal activities. As such, they are a valuable tool for the identification and characterization of ubiquitylated proteins.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1250 - 1258, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.192
- Abstract - Efficient protection and isolation of ubiquitylated proteins using tandem ubiquitin-binding entities
- Full text
- PDF (1,175 KB) - Efficient protection and isolation of ubiquitylated proteins using tandem ubiquitin-binding entities
- Supplementary information
Published online: 02 October 2009
Subject Categories:
Np95 interacts with de novo DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, and mediates epigenetic silencing of the viral CMV promoter in embryonic stem cells EMBO Open
Meilinger et al. expand upon our understanding of the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns by Np95/Uhrf1 through recruitment of the DNA methyltransferase Dnmt1. Their results show that Np95 also interacts with the de novo DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and 3b and that together with the histone H3 methyltransferase G9a, all four mediate CMV promoter silencing in embryonic stem cells by a process involving histone modification followed by DNA methylation.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1259 - 1264, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.201
- Abstract - Np95 interacts with : de novo: DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, and mediates epigenetic silencing of the viral CMV promoter in embryonic stem cells
- Full text
- PDF (775 KB) - Np95 interacts with : de novo: DNA methyltransferases, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, and mediates epigenetic silencing of the viral CMV promoter in embryonic stem cells
- Supplementary information
Published online: 02 October 2009
Subject Category:
Upf1 stimulates degradation of the product derived from aberrant messenger RNA containing a specific nonsense mutation by the proteasome
Aberrant mRNAs containing a premature termination codon are eliminated by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway. Kuroha and colleagues now report that the NMD factor Upf1p also stimulates the proteasomal degradation of proteins derived from aberrant mRNAs.
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1265 - 1271, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.200
- Abstract - Upf1 stimulates degradation of the product derived from aberrant messenger RNA containing a specific nonsense mutation by the proteasome
- Full text
- PDF (691 KB) - Upf1 stimulates degradation of the product derived from aberrant messenger RNA containing a specific nonsense mutation by the proteasome
- Supplementary information
Published online: 02 October 2009
Subject Categories:
RelA/p65 functions to maintain cellular senescence by regulating genomic stability and DNA repair
How NF-
B functions in normal cells prior to immortalization and transformation is poorly understood. Using a senescence model to mimic a tumor suppressor barrier that cells must overcome to initiate immortalization, Wang and colleagues describe how NF-B functions in pre-neoplastic cells by maintaining a senescence state through its regulation of DNA repair and genomic stability. EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1272 - 1278, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.197
- Abstract - RelA/p65 functions to maintain cellular senescence by regulating genomic stability and DNA repair
- Full text
- PDF (975 KB) - RelA/p65 functions to maintain cellular senescence by regulating genomic stability and DNA repair
- Supplementary information
Published online: 25 September 2009
Subject Categories:
corrections
Top of pageCorrigendum
The complexity of living: when biology meets theory. Conference on Systems Dynamics of Intracellular Communication FREE
EMBO reports (2009), 10, - 1279, doi:10.1038/embor.2009.220
- Full text
- PDF (53 KB) - The complexity of living: when biology meets theory. Conference on Systems Dynamics of Intracellular Communication
Published online: 25 September 2009
