Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology
Volume 9, No 5 May 2008
Featured Article
Article series: Mechanisms of Disease
Adipocyte dysfunctions linking obesity to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
Adilson Guilherme, Joseph V. Virbasius, Vishwajeet Puri & Michael P. Czech
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Advance Online Publication
Review
Spatial and temporal coordination of mitosis by Ran GTPase
Paul R. Clarke & Chuanmao Zhang
The small nuclear GTPase Ran controls the directionality of macromolecular transport between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Ran also has important roles during mitosis and directs nuclear-envelope dynamics, assembly of the mitotic spindle and the timing of cell-cycle transitions.
Advance Online Publication
Review
The septin family of GTPases: architecture and dynamics
Christine S. Weirich, Jan P. Erzberger & Yves Barral
How do septins, GTP-binding proteins, function in a wide range of cellular processes, such as cell division, cytoskeletal organization and membrane remodelling? Electron microscopy and crystallographic studies provide a glimpse into septin-complex assembly that could answer this question.
Advance Online Publication
Research Highlights
Cellular microbiology:
Virus plays dead
Arianne Heinrichs
A new study reports how the mature virus form of vaccinia virus enters host cells.
In the news:
'Skin deep' goes to a new depth
Asher Mullard
Epidermal gas exchange in mice is shown for the first time.
Current Issue
Review
Mechanisms of asymmetric cell division: flies and worms pave the way
Pierre Gönczy
Asymmetric cell division, which occurs when a mother cell gives rise to two daughter cells with different fates, is crucial for generating diversity during development and for the function of stem cells. Studies in flies and worms have provided important advances for understanding this process.
Current Issue
Review
Non–hexameric DNA helicases and translocases: mechanisms and regulation
Timothy M. Lohman, Eric J. Tomko & Colin G. Wu
DNA helicases and translocases have essential roles in nucleic acid metabolism. Processive helicases must translocate along DNA; however, enzyme self assembly and/or interactions with accessory proteins can regulate the separate translocase and helicase activities of some of these enzymes.
FOCUS ISSUE
Focus on Lipids
This Focus provides a snapshot of lipid biology. The accompanying Poster, which was produced with support from Merck Serono International S.A. provides an overview of the protein–lipid signalling network and how this network can be exploited to attenuate proliferative, inflammatory and metabolic diseases.
More Molecular Cell Biology
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Recommended Links
Links recommended by the Editors.
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Conferences
A calendar of forthcoming meetings and workshops from across the field of molecular and cell biology.
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Nature Milestones series
Collections of key discoveries that have shaped different scientific fields.
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molecular cell biology@nature.com
More articles on molecular cell biology from the Nature Publishing Group.
Noticeboard
Readout of chromatin marks
This Poster illustrates well-known histone marks and representative examples of histone-binding effector modules, and outlines emerging themes in the molecular recognition of modified histones. It also describes possible modes of multivalent chromatin mark recognition, which are also discussed in the accompanying article by C. David Allis, Dinshaw J. Patel and colleagues.
Focus on Ageing
This Focus highlights the latest advances in our understanding of ageing at the molecular and cellular level, and how this translates to organismal ageing. The accompanying podcast, which was produced with support from Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, features a round-table discussion with experts Lenny Guarente, Cynthia Kenyon and David Sinclair.
Stem cells series
In a Series of specially commissioned articles, Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology reports on the current hot and exciting topics in stem-cell research, discusses new technologies and resources to study stem cells and explores controversial issues, such as stem-cell ethics and funding.
Mechanisms of disease series
A series of articles that reports on our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie a range of common human disorders, explores possible therapeutic targets and treatments, and discusses new technologies and resources to study disease mechanisms.
Web Focus Collection
Please visit our archive of selected articles from the Nature Publishing Group on key current topics. Web Focuses are updated monthly with relevant Review and Perspective articles from Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology.
Journal Citation Reports, Thomson, 2007

