In This Issue - pv

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-v

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Reviewing all options - p391

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-391

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A bridge between chemistry and biology - pp392 - 394

Kazuya Kikuchi & Hideaki Kakeya

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-392

Chemical biology is an interdisciplinary field that is undergoing rapid expansion around the globe. Recently, the Japanese Society for Chemical Biology sponsored its inaugural scientific meeting to discuss research at the interface of chemistry and biology.

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Switching modes for G protein–coupled receptor activation - pp395 - 396

Jean-Pierre Vilardaga

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-395

Specialized transmembrane proteins known as G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) serve as universal cell surface switches to transmit hormones, neurotransmitter and other extracellular chemical signals into cells. Testing ligands of different efficacies reveals two independent modes of receptor switching.

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See also: Letter by Yao et al.

Lipid-induced phenotypes - pp396 - 398

Carsten Schultz

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-396

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a lysophospholipid and known immune regulator, stimulates distinct signaling pathways. A specific S1P antagonist that can be used systemically for the first time provides an indispensable tool for elucidating the therapeutic potential of the S1P signaling pathway.

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See also: Article by Sanna et al.

Engineering Escherichia coli to produce nonribosomal peptide antibiotics - pp398 - 400

Gregory L Challis

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-398

Genetic manipulation of biosynthetic pathways is a useful method for producing analogs of complex bioactive metabolites, but this technique can be challenging when performed in the natural producer of the target compounds. Reconstruction of biosynthetic gene clusters in E. coli could be the key to rapid heterologous production of natural products and genetic manipulation of their biosynthetic pathways.

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See also: Letter by Watanabe et al.

H-NS gives invading DNA the silent treatment - pp400 - 401

Mary Kay H Pflum

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-400

Though uptake of beneficial foreign DNA confers fitness advantages to bacteria, the mechanisms protecting bacteria from harmful foreign DNA have been unclear. A new study suggests that the H-NS protein transcriptionally silences invading DNA by recognizing its low G-C content, thereby protecting cell viability during bacterial evolution.

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Greasing the gears of potassium channels - pp401 - 402

Kenton J Swartz

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-401

Enzymatic conversion of sphingomyelin to ceramide-1-phosphate in the external leaflet of the cellular membrane has now been shown to markedly facilitate opening of classical voltage-activated potassium channels. This discovery raises the possibility that lipids may have more prominent roles in the gating mechanism of these important ion channels than was previously appreciated.

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Research Highlights - p405

doi:10.1038/nchembio0806-405

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