Colouring in cells - p1233

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1233

This year's Nobel Prizes mark the most significant technological advance in cell biology, GFP et al., as well as two discoveries in virology with major health implications.

Full Text - Colouring in cells | PDF (220 KB) - Colouring in cells

Gray's Anatomy for worms - p1234

Jonathan Hodgkin reviews C. elegans Atlas by David H. Hall & Zeynep F. Altun

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1234

Full Text - Gray's Anatomy for worms | PDF (206 KB) - Gray's Anatomy for worms

UCPs — unlikely calcium porters - pp1235 - 1237

Paul S. Brookes, Nadeene Parker, Julie A. Buckingham, Antonio Vidal-Puig, Andrew P. Halestrap, Thomas E. Gunter, David G. Nicholls, Paolo Bernardi, John J. Lemasters & Martin D. Brand

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1235

Full Text - UCPs — unlikely calcium porters | PDF (503 KB) - UCPs — unlikely calcium porters | Supplementary information

UCP2/3 — likely to be fundamental for mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniport - pp1237 - 1240

Michael Trenker, Ismene Fertschai, Roland Malli & Wolfgang F. Graier

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1237

Full Text - UCP2/3 — likely to be fundamental for mitochondrial Ca2+ uniport | PDF (594 KB) - UCP2/3 — likely to be fundamental for mitochondrial Ca2+ uniport | Supplementary information

DNA damage and ageing: new-age ideas for an age-old problem - pp1241 - 1247

George A. Garinis, Gijsbertus T.J. van der Horst, Jan Vijg & Jan H.J. Hoeijmakers

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1241

Abstract - | Full Text - DNA damage and ageing: new-age ideas for an age-old problem | PDF (788 KB) - DNA damage and ageing: new-age ideas for an age-old problem

On your MARKS, get SET, METHYLATE! - pp1249 - 1250

Jane Mellor

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1249

Trans-tail regulation is the linked post-translational modification of tails on different histones. Two important studies implicate Swd2 as the link between H2B ubiquitylation and H3 methylation. Swd2 is a component of both the SET1 methyltransferase complex and the cleavage and polyadenylation factor CPF, implicating trans-tail regulation in differentiating events at the beginning and end of genes.

Full Text - On your MARKS, get SET, METHYLATE! | PDF (362 KB) - On your MARKS, get SET, METHYLATE!

Bad hair days for mouse PCP mutants - pp1251 - 1253

Jeffrey D. Axelrod

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1251

Mammalian hairs have characteristic patterns of orientation, with a predominantly rostral to caudal direction, occasional swirls and a high level of local correlation between hairs. A detailed new study demonstrates that the polarity of hairs derives from an underlying planar polarity of the basal epidermal cells from which hair follicles arise.

Full Text - Bad hair days for mouse PCP mutants | PDF (590 KB) - Bad hair days for mouse PCP mutants

A new dawn for Aurora? - pp1253 - 1254

Andrea H. Brand

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1253

The balance between proliferation and differentiation is essential not only for the generation and maintenance of tissues, but also to prevent uncontrolled cell division and tumorigenesis. The mitotic kinase Aurora A coordinates cell-cycle events and asymmetric division by regulating localization of the cell fate determinant Numb through remodelling of the conserved PAR polarity complex.

Full Text - A new dawn for Aurora? | PDF (291 KB) - A new dawn for Aurora?

Research highlights - p1255

Nathalie Le Bot, Silvia Grisendi, Christina Karlsson Rosenthal & Sowmya Swaminathan

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1255

Full Text - Research highlights | PDF (200 KB) - Research highlights

Planar polarization in embryonic epidermis orchestrates global asymmetric morphogenesis of hair follicles - pp1257 - 1268

Danelle Devenport & Elaine Fuchs

doi:10.1038/ncb1784

Mammalian hair follicles are aligned along the anterior–posterior axis. The planar cell polarity genes Vangl2 and Celsr1 are essential for hair follicle polarization and orientation.

Abstract - | Full Text - Planar polarization in embryonic epidermis orchestrates global asymmetric morphogenesis of hair follicles | PDF (4,730 KB) - Planar polarization in embryonic epidermis orchestrates global asymmetric morphogenesis of hair follicles | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Axelrod

KIF1B- and KIF1A-mediated axonal transport of presynaptic regulator Rab3 occurs in a GTP-dependent manner through DENN/MADD - pp1269 - 1279

Shinsuke Niwa, Yosuke Tanaka & Nobutaka Hirokawa

doi:10.1038/ncb1785

The large, multi-functional protein DENN/MADD is an important linker between Rab3 and the kinesin-3 motor proteins KIF1B and KIF1A in the transport of synaptic vesicle precursors.

Abstract - | Full Text - KIF1B- and KIF1A-mediated axonal transport of presynaptic regulator Rab3 occurs in a GTP-dependent manner through DENN/MADD | PDF (2,943 KB) - KIF1B- and KIF1A-mediated axonal transport of presynaptic regulator Rab3 occurs in a GTP-dependent manner through DENN/MADD | Supplementary information

Epigenetic restriction of embryonic cell lineage fate by methylation of Elf5 - pp1280 - 1290

Ray Kit Ng, Wendy Dean, Claire Dawson, Diana Lucifero, Zofia Madeja, Wolf Reik & Myriam Hemberger

doi:10.1038/ncb1786

A genome-wide screen reveals that the transcription factor Elf5 is epigenetically silenced in the embryonic cell lineage and that its expression is restricted to the trophoblast, where it creates a positive-feedback loop with Cdx2 and Eomes.

Abstract - | Full Text - Epigenetic restriction of embryonic cell lineage fate by methylation of Elf5 | PDF (3,729 KB) - Epigenetic restriction of embryonic cell lineage fate by methylation of Elf5 | Supplementary information

A model for transmission of the H3K27me3 epigenetic mark - pp1291 - 1300

Klaus H. Hansen, Adrian P. Bracken, Diego Pasini, Nikolaj Dietrich, Simmi S. Gehani, Astrid Monrad, Juri Rappsilber, Mads Lerdrup & Kristian Helin

doi:10.1038/ncb1787

The chromatin mark H3K27me3 is transmitted during cell division by recruitment and binding of the PRC2 complex, which maintains the mark and leads to methylation of H3K27 on newly incorporated histones.

Abstract - | Full Text - A model for transmission of the H3K27me3 epigenetic mark | PDF (3,428 KB) - A model for transmission of the H3K27me3 epigenetic mark | Supplementary information

Actin-driven chromosomal motility leads to symmetry breaking in mammalian meiotic oocytes - pp1301 - 1308

Hongbin Li, Fengli Guo, Boris Rubinstein & Rong Li

doi:10.1038/ncb1788

In mammalian oocytes, cell polarity is established when meiosis I chromosomes move from the egg centre to the cortex. This translocation is dependent on actin filaments trailing behind the chromosomes, and on the actin-nucleating activity of the formin Fmn2.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Actin-driven chromosomal motility leads to symmetry breaking in mammalian meiotic oocytes | PDF (2,310 KB) - Actin-driven chromosomal motility leads to symmetry breaking in mammalian meiotic oocytes | Supplementary information

IAPs contain an evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin-binding domain that regulates NF-B as well as cell survival and oncogenesis - pp1309 - 1317

Mads Gyrd-Hansen, Maurice Darding, Maria Miasari, Massimo M. Santoro, Lars Zender, Wen Xue, Tencho Tenev, Paula C.A. da Fonseca, Marketa Zvelebil, Janusz M. Bujnicki, Scott Lowe, John Silke & Pascal Meier

doi:10.1038/ncb1789

A ubiquitin binding domain in the IAP proteins binds Lys 63-linked poly-ubiquitin chains and is essential for the oncogenic potential of cIAP. This domain is also required for activating NF-B, possibly by binding poly-ubiquitinated NEMO.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - IAPs contain an evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin-binding domain that regulates NF-B as well as cell survival and oncogenesis | PDF (6,602 KB) - IAPs contain an evolutionarily conserved ubiquitin-binding domain that regulates NF-B as well as cell survival and oncogenesis | Supplementary information

The TBP–PP2A mitotic complex bookmarks genes by preventing condensin action - pp1318 - 1323

Hongyan Xing, Nathan L. Vanderford & Kevin D. Sarge

doi:10.1038/ncb1790

The general transcription factor TATA-binding protein (TBP) is retained at gene promoters during mitosis, where it recruits PP2A to inactivate condensin. Chromatin decondensation at promoters may be associated with gene bookmarking, a mechanism to re-establish gene activity patterns in daughter cells.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - The TBP–PP2A mitotic complex bookmarks genes by preventing condensin action | PDF (3,151 KB) - The TBP–PP2A mitotic complex bookmarks genes by preventing condensin action | Supplementary information

Formation of stress granules inhibits apoptosis by suppressing stress-responsive MAPK pathways - pp1324 - 1332

Kyoko Arimoto, Hiroyuki Fukuda, Shinobu Imajoh-Ohmi, Haruo Saito & Mutsuhiro Takekawa

doi:10.1038/ncb1791

Stress-induced MAPK-dependent apoptosis is inhibited by the formation of stress granules, which sequester and inactivate the MTK1 activator RACK1.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Formation of stress granules inhibits apoptosis by suppressing stress-responsive MAPK pathways | PDF (3,398 KB) - Formation of stress granules inhibits apoptosis by suppressing stress-responsive MAPK pathways | Supplementary information

Tethering by lamin A stabilizes and targets the ING1 tumour suppressor - pp1333 - 1340

Xijing Han, Xiaolan Feng, Jerome B. Rattner, Heather Smith, Pinaki Bose, Keiko Suzuki, Mohamed A. Soliman, Michelle S. Scott, Brian E. Burke & Karl Riabowol

doi:10.1038/ncb1792

ING proteins bind to lamin A. ING1 expression and localization is perturbed in lamin A-null cells. Data from Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) cells, which carry mutations in lamin A, suggest that loss of lamin A–ING interaction may contribute to the HGPS phenotype.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Tethering by lamin A stabilizes and targets the ING1 tumour suppressor | PDF (3,134 KB) - Tethering by lamin A stabilizes and targets the ING1 tumour suppressor | Supplementary information

Loss of nucleoplasmic LAP2–lamin A complexes causes erythroid and epidermal progenitor hyperproliferation - pp1341 - 1348

Nana Naetar, Barbara Korbei, Serguei Kozlov, Marc A. Kerenyi, Daniela Dorner, Rosana Kral, Ivana Gotic, Peter Fuchs, Tatiana V. Cohen, Reginald Bittner, Colin L. Stewart & Roland Foisner

doi:10.1038/ncb1793

Abnormal relocalization of A-type lamins to the nuclear envelope in LAP2-deficient mice impairs pRb-mediated regulation of progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation in highly regenerative tissues.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Loss of nucleoplasmic LAP2–lamin A complexes causes erythroid and epidermal progenitor hyperproliferation | PDF (4,736 KB) - Loss of nucleoplasmic LAP2–lamin A complexes causes erythroid and epidermal progenitor hyperproliferation | Supplementary information

The S100A8–serum amyloid A3–TLR4 paracrine cascade establishes a pre-metastatic phase - pp1349 - 1355

Sachie Hiratsuka, Akira Watanabe, Yoshiko Sakurai, Sachiko Akashi-Takamura, Sachie Ishibashi, Kensuke Miyake, Masabumi Shibuya, Shizuo Akira, Hiroyuki Aburatani & Yoshiro Maru

doi:10.1038/ncb1794

The production of chemoattractants in the pre-metastatic lung can be induced by distant primary tumours. The chemoattractants S100A8 and S100A9 induce serum amyloid A3 and TLR4 activation and cause an inflammation-like state that facilitates metastasis.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - The S100A8–serum amyloid A3–TLR4 paracrine cascade establishes a pre-metastatic phase | PDF (2,409 KB) - The S100A8–serum amyloid A3–TLR4 paracrine cascade establishes a pre-metastatic phase | Supplementary information

Scaffolding function of PAK in the PDK1–Akt pathway - pp1356 - 1364

Maiko Higuchi, Keisuke Onishi, Chikako Kikuchi & Yukiko Gotoh

doi:10.1038/ncb1795

In a kinase-independent manner, PAK1 serves as a scaffold that regulates Akt recruitment to the membrane and its stimulation by PDK1, thus regulating efficiency, localization and specificity of the PDK1–Akt pathway.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Scaffolding function of PAK in the PDK1–Akt pathway | PDF (6,031 KB) - Scaffolding function of PAK in the PDK1–Akt pathway | Supplementary information

Ubiquitylation of the COMPASS component Swd2 links H2B ubiquitylation to H3K4 trimethylation - pp1365 - 1371

Adeline Vitaliano-Prunier, Alexandra Menant, Maria Hobeika, Vincent Géli, Carole Gwizdek & Catherine Dargemont

doi:10.1038/ncb1796

Mono-ubiquitylation of histone H2B is required for methylation of histone H3K4. Ubiquitylation of H2B in turn promotes ubiquitylation of Swd2, a component of the SET1/COMPASS methyltransferase. Inhibiting Swd2 ubiquitylation impairs recruitment of the COMPASS subunit, which is essential for methylation, and results in reduced H3K4 methylation.

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Ubiquitylation of the COMPASS component Swd2 links H2B ubiquitylation to H3K4 trimethylation | PDF (1,590 KB) - Ubiquitylation of the COMPASS component Swd2 links H2B ubiquitylation to H3K4 trimethylation | Supplementary information

See also: News and Views by Mellor

Uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 are fundamental for mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniport - p1371

Michael Trenker, Roland Malli, Ismene Fertschai, Sanja Levak-Frank & Wolfgang F. Graier

doi:10.1038/ncb1108-1371

Full Text - Uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 are fundamental for mitochondrial Ca2+ uniport | PDF (134 KB) - Uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 are fundamental for mitochondrial Ca2+ uniport