Table of contents
August 2008 Vol 9 No 8
From the editors
p583 | doi:10.1038/nrm2465
Research Highlights
Cell signalling: AKTing in Wnt pathway | PDF (139 KB)
p584 | doi:10.1038/nrm2462
Membrane trafficking: All cisternae are not created equal | PDF (124 KB)
p585 | doi:10.1038/nrm2448
In brief
Cell polarity | Membrane trafficking | Chromatin | PDF (102 KB)
p585 | doi:10.1038/nrm2464
Cell signalling: Sensing nutrient availability | PDF (173 KB)
p586 | doi:10.1038/nrm2452
In the news
Building muscle | PDF (82 KB)
p586 | doi:10.1038/nrm2463
Cell cycle: Achieving entry | PDF (156 KB)
p587 | doi:10.1038/nrm2454
Stem cells: A samurai without a master | PDF (135 KB)
p587 | doi:10.1038/nrm2459
Nuclear envelope: The power of two | PDF (119 KB)
p588 | doi:10.1038/nrm2449
Chromosomes: One ring to bind them | PDF (122 KB)
p588 | doi:10.1038/nrm2461
Small RNAs: Roundworm joins the piRNA club | PDF (184 KB)
p589 | doi:10.1038/nrm2456
An Interview With...
Stanley Cohen | PDF (238 KB)
p590 | doi:10.1038/nrm2458
Reviews
Building the cell: design principles of cellular architecture
Susanne M. Rafelski & Wallace F. Marshall
p593 | doi:10.1038/nrm2460
Cells are highly complex structures, but where does this complexity come from? Self-organization principles combined with simple physical constraints seem to control organelle size, number, shape and position. These factors then combine to give rise to the overall cell architecture.
Nectins and nectin-like molecules: roles in contact inhibition of cell movement and proliferation
Yoshimi Takai, Jun Miyoshi, Wataru Ikeda & Hisakazu Ogita
p603 | doi:10.1038/nrm2457
Nectins and nectin-like molecules (Necls) are transmembrane cell adhesion molecules that have recently been shown to have a variety of cellular functions. They have roles in cell–cell adhesion, differentiation, polarization and survival, as well as in contact inhibition of cell movement and proliferation.
ATR: an essential regulator of genome integrity
Karlene A. Cimprich & David Cortez
p616 | doi:10.1038/nrm2450
ATR kinase and the related ATM kinase have overlapping but non-redundant functions in the DNA-damage response that maintains genome integrity. ATR signals to regulate DNA replication, cell-cycle transitions and DNA repair through the phosphorylation of various substrates.
Cancer as an overhealing wound: an old hypothesis revisited
Matthias Schäfer & Sabine Werner
p628 | doi:10.1038/nrm2455
The hypothesis that "tumor production is a possible overhealing" has recently been verified in several studies. In vivo analysis of genes that are involved in tissue repair combined with gene-expression analysis in wounds and tumours have highlighted remarkable similarities between wound healing and cancer.
Shaping cups into phagosomes and macropinosomes
Joel A. Swanson
p639 | doi:10.1038/nrm2447
The ingestion of particles or cells by phagocytosis and of fluids by macropinocytosis requires cup-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane. Common signalling mechanisms and distinct signalling patterns characterize the different stages of the formation of phagocytic and macropinocytic cups.
Perspectives
Timeline
From the first protein structures to our current knowledge of protein folding: delights and scepticisms
Alan R. Fersht
p650 | doi:10.1038/nrm2446
The determination of the first three-dimensional structure of a protein 50 years ago initiated the field of protein folding research. Technological and experimental advances, which were sometimes met with initial scepticism, have led to our present understanding of protein folding.
Opinion
Regulation of TNFR1 and CD95 signalling by receptor compartmentalization
Stefan Schütze, Vladimir Tchikov & Wulf Schneider-Brachert
p655 | doi:10.1038/nrm2430
Tumour-necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR1) and CD95 can transduce pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic signals, but what determines the specificity of signalling events? It is possible that the endosomal compartment functions as a signalling organelle that selectively transmits death signals from TNFR1 and CD95.
Correspondence
Correspondence: Chemotaxis and the cell surface-area problem
Maurice B. Hallett, Christopher J. von Ruhland & Sharon Dewitt
p662 | doi:10.1038/nrm2419-c1
Author Reply: Surface area regulation: underexplored yet crucial in cell motility
Robert R. Kay, Paul Langridge, David Traynor & Oliver Hoeller
p662 | doi:10.1038/nrm2419-c2
