Identification of a candidate therapeutic autophagy-inducing peptide

Shoji-Kawata, S. et al. Nature doi:10.1038/nature11866 (30 January).

This study describes a potent inducer of autophagy, Tat-beclin1, which may have therapeutic potential. The peptide decreased the replication of a number of infectious agents in vitro, and reduced the mortality of mice infected with chikungunya or West Nile virus.

Relapse-specific mutations in NT5C2 in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Meyer, J.A. et al. Nat. Genet. doi:10.1038/ng.2558 (3 February).

By sequencing matched childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia bone marrow samples at diagnosis and relapse, the authors identified mutations in the nucleotidase gene NT5C2 in relapse samples. The cognate mutant proteins showed increased enzymatic activity and resistance to nucleoside analog therapies.

Human type 1 innate lymphoid cells accumulate in inflamed mucosal tissues

Bernink, J.H. et al. Nat. Immunol. doi:10.1038/ni.2534 (20 January).

This paper identifies a distinct innate lymphoid cell (ILC) subset in humans, which the authors call 'ILC1' cells. ILC1 cells were found in higher numbers in inflamed intestinal tissue from individuals with Crohn's disease, suggesting these cells may have a role in gut inflammation.

A recurring motif for antibody recognition of the receptor-binding site of influenza hemagglutinin

Xu, R. et al. Nat. Struct. Mol. Biol. doi:10.1038/nsmb.2500 (10 February).

The authors report the crystal structures from three human neutralizing antibodies to the pandemic H2N2 influenza virus complexed with H2 hemagglutinin (HA), providing new insights into the interactions between neutralizing antibodies and HA that may help design more effective inhibitors to influenza virus entry.

Epigenetic control of female puberty

Lomniczi, A. et al. Nat. Neurosci. doi:10.1038/nn.3319 (27 January).

The authors identify an epigenetic mechanism regulating the timing of female puberty in rats. This involves the binding of the Polycomb group protein EED to the promoter of Kiss, a key puberty-activating gene, thus repressing Kiss expression prior to puberty.