Helical twister storms world - p265

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-265

Full Text - Helical twister storms world | PDF (138 KB) - Helical twister storms world

Focus on cell polarity

Spontaneous cell polarization: undermining determinism - pp267 - 270

Roland Wedlich-Soldner & Rong Li

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-267

It is widely observed that eukaryotic cells can polarize spontaneously in the absence of pre-established asymmetric cues. This phenomenon indicates that the principle of self-organization may be central to the establishment of cell polarity. Modelling work, as well as recent experimental data from several organisms, suggests that a combination of local positive feedback loops and global inhibitors could result in robust cell symmetry breaking through amplification of minute, stochastic variations.

Full Text - Spontaneous cell polarization: undermining determinism | PDF (100 KB) - Spontaneous cell polarization: undermining determinism

Focus on cell polarity

Viral spread through protoplasmic kiss - pp271 - 272

Michael Dustin

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-271

Cajal described the neural synapse as a "protoplasmic kiss", and this metaphor applies equally well to the immunological synapse. Viruses are masters at co-opting the machinery of the immune response and, remarkably, the retrovirus HTLV-1 (human T lymphotrophic virus 1) seems to use an immunological-synapse-like structure to conceal viral spread.

Full Text - Viral spread through protoplasmic kiss | PDF (92 KB) - Viral spread through protoplasmic kiss

Focus on cell polarity

A lethal giant kinase in cell polarity - pp273 - 274

Nicholas J. Justice & Yuh Nung Jan

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-273

The coordinated action of several conserved multiprotein complexes establishes polarity in an asymmetrically dividing cell. How apically localized cues affect the basal distribution of proteins has remained unclear. However, new studies provides a direct link between the two poles, showing that the apical Par6–aPKC complex directly regulates Lethal giant larvae (Lgl).

Full Text - A lethal giant kinase in cell polarity | PDF (92 KB) - A lethal giant kinase in cell polarity

Focus on cell polarity

Cdc42 & GSK-3: signals at the crossroads - pp275 - 277

Adrian Harwood & Vania M. M. Braga

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-275

Cell polarity is regulated by independent pathways that are controlled by Wnt- or Cdc42-mediated signalling. Now, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3), an established component of the Wnt pathway, is shown to interact with Par6–protein kinase C (PKC), a complex that transduces Cdc42 signals. This exciting result suggests a potential point of conversion between these previously distinct pathways.

Full Text - Cdc42 & GSK-3: signals at the crossroads | PDF (244 KB) - Cdc42 & GSK-3: signals at the crossroads

Focus on cell polarity

Leading the pack - p277

Alison Schuldt

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-277

Full Text - Leading the pack | PDF (209 KB) - Leading the pack

Anti-silencing from the core: a histone H2A variant protects euchromatin - pp278 - 280

Marc Hild & Renato Paro

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-278

To coordinate the coding complexity of the eukaryotic genome, mechanisms have evolved that protect active genes from silent chromatin structures such as heterochromatin. Although post-translational modifications of histone tails can regulate chromatin states, a new report now demonstrates that the composition of the nucleosome itself is also important for maintaining chromatin states.

Full Text - Anti-silencing from the core: a histone H2A variant protects euchromatin | PDF (254 KB) - Anti-silencing from the core: a histone H2A variant protects euchromatin

Focus on cell polarity

TES of the focal adhesions - p279

Sarah Greaves

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-279

Full Text - TES of the focal adhesions | PDF (206 KB) - TES of the focal adhesions

A retention factor keeps death at bay - pp281 - 283

Steven F. Nothwehr & Jean-Claude Martinou

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-281

Apoptosis is a carefully orchestrated series of events that allows cells to be eliminated without damaging their neighbours. Regulation is essential, as too much apoptosis can contribute to neurodegenerative disorders, whereas too little can result in cancer. Two reports in this issue now demonstrate that Ku70, a protein previously shown to function in DNA repair, has an important role in regulating apoptotic events.

Full Text - A retention factor keeps death at bay | PDF (293 KB) - A retention factor keeps death at bay

Focus on cell polarity

Axonal polarization: selective delivery and retention - p282

Sowmya Swaminathan

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-282

Full Text - Axonal polarization: selective delivery and retention | PDF (259 KB) - Axonal polarization: selective delivery and retention

Cell of the month: Allocasuarina verticillata shoots expressing GFP - p284

Sergio Svistoonoff

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-284

Full Text - Cell of the month: Allocasuarina verticillata shoots expressing GFP | PDF (263 KB) - Cell of the month: Allocasuarina verticillata shoots expressing GFP

Systems biology and elephants - p285

John Aitchison & Benno Schwikowski review Foundations of Systems Biology by Hiroaki Kitano

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-285

Full Text - Systems biology and elephants | PDF (109 KB) - Systems biology and elephants

Zebragenetics - p286

Christine Thisse reviews Pattern Formation in Zebrafish by Lilianna Solnica-Krezel

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-286

Full Text - Zebragenetics | PDF (87 KB) - Zebragenetics

Focus on cell polarity

Polarized epithelial membrane traffic: conservation and plasticity - pp287 - 293

Keith Mostov, Tao Su & Martin ter Beest

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-287

Abstract - | Full Text - Polarized epithelial membrane traffic: conservation and plasticity | PDF (156 KB) - Polarized epithelial membrane traffic: conservation and plasticity

Focus on cell polarity

Yeasts make their mark - pp294 - 299

Fred Chang & Matthias Peter

doi:10.1038/ncb0403-294

Abstract - | Full Text - Yeasts make their mark | PDF (387 KB) - Yeasts make their mark

A polarity complex of mPar-6 and atypical PKC binds, phosphorylates and regulates mammalian Lgl - pp301 - 308

Pamela J. Plant, James P. Fawcett, Dan C.C. Lin, Amy D. Holdorf, Kathleen Binns, Sarang Kulkarni & Tony Pawson

doi:10.1038/ncb948

Abstract - | Full Text - A polarity complex of mPar-6 and atypical PKC binds, phosphorylates and regulates mammalian Lgl | PDF (2,062 KB) - A polarity complex of mPar-6 and atypical PKC binds, phosphorylates and regulates mammalian Lgl

A new link between the c-Abl tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide signalling through PLC-1 - pp309 - 319

Rina Plattner, Brenda J. Irvin, Shuling Guo, Kevin Blackburn, Andrius Kazlauskas, Robert T. Abraham, John D. York & Ann Marie Pendergast

doi:10.1038/ncb949

Abstract - | Full Text - A new link between the c-Abl tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide signalling through PLC-1 | PDF (1,393 KB) - A new link between the c-Abl tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide signalling through PLC-1

Ku70 suppresses the apoptotic translocation of Bax to mitochondria - pp320 - 329

Motoshi Sawada, Weiyong Sun, Paulette Hayes, Konstantin Leskov, David A. Boothman & Shigemi Matsuyama

doi:10.1038/ncb950

Abstract - | Full Text - Ku70 suppresses the apoptotic translocation of Bax to mitochondria | PDF (6,598 KB) - Ku70 suppresses the apoptotic translocation of Bax to mitochondria | Supplementary information

Islet -cell secretion determines glucagon release from neighbouring -cells - pp330 - 335

Hisamitsu Ishihara, Pierre Maechler, Asllan Gjinovci, Pedro-Luis Herrera & Claes B. Wollheim

doi:10.1038/ncb951

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Islet -cell secretion determines glucagon release from neighbouring -cells | PDF (594 KB) - Islet -cell secretion determines glucagon release from neighbouring -cells | Supplementary information

Identification of the ubiquitin–protein ligase that recognizes oxidized IRP2 - pp336 - 340

Koji Yamanaka, Haruto Ishikawa, Yuzuru Megumi, Fuminori Tokunaga, Masato Kanie, Tracey A. Rouault, Isao Morishima, Nagahiro Minato, Koichiro Ishimori & Kazuhiro Iwai

doi:10.1038/ncb952

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Identification of the ubiquitin–protein ligase that recognizes oxidized IRP2 | PDF (289 KB) - Identification of the ubiquitin–protein ligase that recognizes oxidized IRP2

Human CENP-I specifies localization of CENP-F, MAD1 and MAD2 to kinetochores and is essential for mitosis - pp341 - 345

Song-Tao Liu, James C. Hittle, Sandra A. Jablonski, Michael S. Campbell, Kinya Yoda & Tim J. Yen

doi:10.1038/ncb953

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Human CENP-I specifies localization of CENP-F, MAD1 and MAD2 to kinetochores and is essential for mitosis | PDF (2,297 KB) - Human CENP-I specifies localization of CENP-F, MAD1 and MAD2 to kinetochores and is essential for mitosis | Supplementary information

Building a cell cycle oscillator: hysteresis and bistability in the activation of Cdc2 - pp346 - 351

Joseph R. Pomerening, Eduardo D. Sontag & James E. Ferrell, Jr

doi:10.1038/ncb954

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Building a cell cycle oscillator: hysteresis and bistability in the activation of Cdc2 | PDF (1,189 KB) - Building a cell cycle oscillator: hysteresis and bistability in the activation of Cdc2 | Supplementary information

Cytoprotective membrane-permeable peptides designed from the Bax-binding domain of Ku70 - pp352 - 357

Motoshi Sawada, Paulette Hayes & Shigemi Matsuyama

doi:10.1038/ncb955

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Cytoprotective membrane-permeable peptides designed from the Bax-binding domain of Ku70 | PDF (7,884 KB) - Cytoprotective membrane-permeable peptides designed from the Bax-binding domain of Ku70 | Supplementary information

Exocytosis of single chromaffin granules in cell-free inside-out membrane patches - pp358 - 362

Gregor Dernick, Guillermo Alvarez de Toledo & Manfred Lindau

doi:10.1038/ncb956

First Paragraph - | Full Text - Exocytosis of single chromaffin granules in cell-free inside-out membrane patches | PDF (480 KB) - Exocytosis of single chromaffin granules in cell-free inside-out membrane patches

PKC is a permissive link in integrin-dependent IFN- signalling that facilitates JAK phosphorylation of STAT1 - pp363 - 369

Johanna Ivaska, Lisardo Bosca & Peter J. Parker

doi:10.1038/ncb957

First Paragraph - | Full Text - PKC is a permissive link in integrin-dependent IFN- signalling that facilitates JAK phosphorylation of STAT1 | PDF (576 KB) - PKC is a permissive link in integrin-dependent IFN- signalling that facilitates JAK phosphorylation of STAT1 | Supplementary information