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The bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila uses effectors — toxins — to facilitate pathogenesis within host cells. A recent study identifies dual mechanisms of the effector SidI as an inhibitor of translation elongation. The N-terminal domain mimics tRNA, whereas the C-terminal domain glycosylates the ribosome.
Subramanian et al. show that the secreted Legionella protein SidI is a tRNA mimic and glycosyltransferase. SidI inhibits host cell translation by mannosylating ribosomes to induce ribosome collisions and trigger the ribotoxic stress response.
Sanfeliu-Cerdán et al. show that an SH3-domain-induced rigidity transition of MEC-2/stomatin condensates enables mechanotranduction of external forces in C.elegans touch receptor neurons.
Mitochondria can shuttle between adjacent cells or travel to distant organs by breaking away from the parent cell and entering the circulation. Here, we briefly review the state of research into mitochondria transfer, and discuss a methodological framework for studying the process.
Disruption of ribosome assembly results in the accumulation of aggregation-prone ‘orphaned’ ribosomal proteins that are toxic to cells if left unchecked. A study finds that cells store such ribosomal proteins during heat shock to enable a quick recovery of ribosome assembly after the removal of this stress.
Ali et al. show that, during heat shock, aggregation-prone orphan ribosomal proteins form nucleolar-associated condensates that are kept in a liquid-like and reusable state through Hsp70 and its co-chaperones.
The fibrous geometry of extracellular matrices (ECMs) is believed to facilitate cell adhesion, but a mechanistic link is lacking. We uncover a type of integrin-mediated cell adhesion — ‘curved adhesion’ — driven by the fibrous geometry of the ECM. Curved adhesions are induced by membrane curvature, enabling cell adhesion to soft three-dimensional (3D) ECM fibres.
Tai et al. show that Hem25p—a mitochondrial glycine transporter required for haem biosynthesis—is also needed for isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) transport into mitochondria and coenzyme Q synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The Africa Microscopy Initiative (AMI) aims to promote the use of microscopy in biomedical research through facilitated access to instruments and expertise, and via training and networking opportunities. By coupling technology dissemination with expertise and training, AMI is designed to serve as a crucible for the sustainable development of imaging expertise across Africa.
Recent findings ranging from genetics to structural biology, together with studies in human neurons, animal models and patient brains, implicate the retromer-dependent endosomal recycling pathway as both causal and common in Alzheimer’s disease.
Bone marrow endothelial cells deliver oxygen and nutrients and regulate bone formation and haematopoiesis in the surrounding microenvironment. A new study identifies a subtype of capillary that occurs exclusively in the epiphysis and displays unique characteristics that have a role in balancing osteogenesis and haematopoiesis.
Iga et al. perform single-cell RNA sequencing and identify a distinct bone marrow endothelial cell subtype that contributes to the acquisition of bone strength and offers a distinct haematopoietic stem cell niche.
ESCRT-III seals holes in the nuclear envelope (NE). A study now shows that the Cmp7-directed ESCRT-III cascade that grommets and reseals NE holes after spindle pole body (SPB) extrusion at the end of fission yeast mitosis is complemented by the presence of a proteinaceous diffusion barrier to ensure NE integrity.
Qu et al. identify and characterize reciprocal crosstalk between small-cell lung cancer cells and astrocytes, which mimics neuron–astrocyte interactions during brain development and promotes brain metastasis.
Ader et al. find a grommet-like role for ESCRTs distinct from their nuclear envelope sealing function after spindle pole body extrusion. The grommet works with spindle pole body components that establish a diffusion barrier to maintain compartmentalization.
Kramer, Prakash et al. share genome-wide CRISPR screens for factors that alter the levels of two dual-genome-encoded Complex IV subunits, COX1 and COX4. They identify PREPL and NME6 as genes that connect mitochondrial metabolism to mtDNA expression.