Nature view

Research highlights from the NPG family of journals.

Genomics: a show of variety

This month, Nature Genetics reports on large-scale differences in the number of DNA bases copied by healthy individuals. A study by John Iafrate and colleagues found that large segments of DNA were often repeated several times or missing altogether — to an unexpected extent. A high proportion of the affected regions overlapped with known genes, and were also often associated with genetic diseases or cancer. These important findings are discussed in an associated News and Views article by Nigel Carter.

brief communications
Detection of large-scale variation in the human genome
A. J. IAFRATE et al.
Nature Genetics 36, 949; September 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |

news and views
As normal as normal can be?
N. P. CARTER
Nature Genetics 36, 931; September 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |

More work for RNAs

Non-coding RNAs regulate transcription, but
this month's Nature Structural and Molecular Biology reports that they also contribute to transcriptional regulation — a function traditionally attributed to proteins. Two papers by Jennifer Kugel, James Goodrich and colleagues demonstrate this with an RNA transcribed from short interspersed elements, which previously had no known functions.

articles
The SINE-encoded mouse B2 RNA represses mRNA transcription in response to heat shock
T. A. ALLEN et al.
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 11, 816; September 2004
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B2 RNA binds directly to RNA polymerase II to repress transcript synthesis
C. A. ESPINOZA et al.
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology 11, 822; September 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |

The development of 'memories' by the immune system, in the form of heightened responses to recurrent pathogens, is fundamental to resisting infection. In September's Nature Immunology,
two papers elucidate the interaction at the heart
of this ability — the partnership between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Joseph Sun and colleagues show that it is in the maintenance of such memories that CD4+ cell function is critical, and Mike Recher et al. report that CD4+ can actually impede beneficial specific antibody responses, by activating polyclonal B cells. Both studies are discussed in associated News and Views.

news and views
To help and help not
D. HOMANN AND R. G. GILL
Nature Immunology 5, 878; September 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |

Environmental conservation: bystander CD4 T cells keep CD8 memories fresh
S. E. HAMILTON et al.
Nature Immunology 5, 712; September 2004
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articles
Deliberate removal of T cell help improves virus-neutralizing antibody production
M. RECHER et al.
Nature Immunology 5, 934; September 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |

CD4+ T cells are required for the maintenance, not programming, of memory CD8+ T cells after acute infection
J. C. SUN, M. A. WILLIAMS AND M. J. BEVAN
Nature Immunology 5, 927; September 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |

Intercellular communication in plants

Molecular cell biology research methods have
had a great impact on plant cell biology. This month, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology concludes its 2004 series on plant cell biology with a Review on intercellular communication in plants. The series is celebrated with a special web focus, which contains all the published articles, with reviews, research and commentary from Nature Publishing Group. The focus is available free online in September.

focus
Focus on plant cell biology
www.nature.com/nrm/focus/plant%5Fbiology/index_mf.html

review
Plasmodesmata as a supracellular control network in plants
W. J. LUCAS AND J. Y. LEE
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 5, 712; September 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |

Babies beware — lead is out there

Children exposed to lead have a higher incidence of learning difficulties, memory impairment, and behavioral problems. Because of their age, infants are more easily exposed to lead, through crawling and hand to mouth activity. In July's Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, David L. Simon et al. researched the routes of lead exposure in 0-4 month old infants in Port Pirie, Australia. Combined data for infant and family behaviors with household lead loading and air-borne particulates suggest that infants mouthing their fingers accounts for about 65% of lead exposure routes. The other main sources of exposure are lead-contaminated objects placed into the infant's mouth. Results indicate that less then 3% of exposure is via particulate inhalation. Findings suggest that home-based interventions for reducing lead exposure should focus on maintaining low lead loadings on objects directly associated with infants.

articles
The behavior and routes of lead exposure in pregrasping infants
B. D. KRANZL, D. L. SIMON AND B. G. LEONARDI
Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology 14, 300; July 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |

A new therapeutic approach for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is dependent on androgens for the initial phase of growth and development, and androgen-ablation therapy has proved to be of some use for treating the disease. However, a large number of tumours soon develop resistance to this, as they lose their dependency on androgens for proliferation. Interestingly, the androgen receptor (AR) is still important for the progression of androgen-independent tumours. Joanna Pike et al. have used this knowledge to explore a new strategy for treating prostate cancer, as reported in Oncogene. They find that a fusion protein of AR and the transcriptional repressor PLZF silences AR-regulated genes, which inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells. This is a promising new strategy, but it is early days as it has still to be tested in patients.

articles
Silencing of androgen-regulated genes using a fusion of AR with the PLZF transcriptional repressor
P. J. HOLMES et al.
Oncogene Published AOP 30 August 2004
| Abstract | Full Text (HTML/PDF) |