Review Articles in 2011

The cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) is phosphorylated in response to a wide variety of signals, and it functions in concert with cAMP-regulated transcriptional co-activators (CRTCs). CREB and CRTCs mediate the effects of fasting and feeding signals on the expression of metabolic programmes in insulin-sensitive tissues.

Single-molecule techniques, such as atomic force microscopy, single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and optical tweezers, have helped resolve the mechanisms behind the power strokes, processive steps and forces of cytoskeletal motors. Such techniques might also reveal how motors are integrated into composite mechanical machines to generate complex functions in cells.

HTRA proteases perform a variety of protein quality control functions that are of key importance to cell fate. This Review discusses the emerging physiological implications and unique architectural and mechanistic features of bacterial, plant and mammalian HTRAs.

The ability of growth factors and receptor Tyr kinases of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ERBB family to regulate cellular function is controlled by positive and negative feedback loops. These can decode ligand specificity, transform graded inputs into digital outputs and regulate response kinetics. Aberrant feedback can lead to pathologies, including cancer.

Dedifferentiation, transdifferentiation and reprogramming could all be exploited to replace lost cells and tissues. Studies are aiming to understand the molecular details of these processes and to elucidate the advantages of one process over another for use in regenerative medicine.

The MRE11 complex mediates repair of DNA double-strand breaks and is essential for genome stability. Structural studies and mouse models are increasing our understanding of how the different components of this complex together coordinate the damage response.