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Model protists are extensively studied protists (unicellular and simple multicellular eukaryotes not categorized as animal, plant or fungus) chosen for the ease of investigating particular biological phenomena or for their relevance as disease agents.
Present understanding of Plasmodium vivax biology is hampered by its inability to grow in vitro. Here, the authors developed an in vitro culture of its simian counterpart, P. cynomolgi, which shares morphological and phenotypic similarities with P. vivax, initiating a new phase in vivax research.
Senoo et al. show that, in response to chemoattractant stimulation, phosphorylated Rho–GDP in complex with Ras–GTP and mTORC2 promotes AKT phosphorylation to mediate cell migration.
Hidenori Hashimura et al. show that cAMP-mediated signaling changes from propagating waves to a steady state at a multicellular stage of amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. This study suggests that cAMP oscillation is not required for collective cell migration despite its importance at a unicellular stage.
More basic research studies of marine microorganisms — supported by new methods, tools and resources — are needed to help inform policies to mitigate the impact of climate change.
