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For almost a century, our understanding of the tiny structure at the centre of the cell called the centrosome was limited to its ability to organize mitotic spindles and other microtubule arrays. However, recent studies have indicated new roles for centrosomes in cytokinesis and cell-cycle progression.
Caveolae deliver simian virus 40 (SV40) to a new compartment called a caveosome, where the virus is sorted for transport to the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This pathway bypasses other endocytic organelles, and early steps may be shared by lipid rafts and certain glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked proteins.
A crucial aspect of cell function in tissues is the biophysical interactions of the cell with the surrounding extracellular matrix. A fascinating report in this issue offers a major advance in the techniques available for investigating how the transmission of cell-generated forces to an underlying substratum is regulated. Application of this approach should provide key insights into such force regulation during cell migration and matrix contraction.
Expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p15INK4b is suppressed by the Myc oncoprotein and induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The transcription factor Miz-1 activates the Ink4b promoter, and interacts with Myc and TGF-β-activated Smad proteins. Miz-1 is thus a point of convergence for these antagonistic signals in cell-cycle control.
