Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain
the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in
Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles
and JavaScript.
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediate physiological responses to various hormones, neurotransmitters, sensory stimuli and other ligands. The signalling and trafficking properties of GPCRs are often fine-tuned by receptor-interacting proteins that are differentially expressed in distinct cell types.
Branched structures are present at all levels of organization in living organisms. Recent studies suggest that cell competition and cell rearrangements might be conserved key features in branch formation that are controlled by local cell signalling events.
How integrins are trafficked by endocytosis markedly affects their distribution and function. Recent studies examining the molecular mechanisms of integrin trafficking show that it affects the recycling of key signalling receptors to influence cellular processes such as cytokinesis, cell migration and tumour angiogenesis.
A single type of dynein motor carries out all minus end-directed microtubule transport in the cytoplasm. Several multifunctional adaptors, including dynactin, LIS1, NUDE and NUDEL, Bicaudal D and RZZ, couple dynein to its wide range of cargos and regulate its function.
Directed evolution optimizes protein function through successive generations of random mutation, artificial selection and screening. This design algorithm provides a reliable approach to engineering proteins with new and useful properties, and helps us to understand how natural evolution occurs.
Most kinesins move processively along microtubules using energy derived from ATP hydrolysis. Almost all of the intermediate structures of this ATPase reaction cycle have been solved for the monomeric kinesin 3 family motor KIF1A. These structures suggest that kinesins might move by a common mechanism.
Traditional boundaries between the public and private research sectors have become blurred. This creates the opportunity for the adventurous scientist to embrace a career that moves between academia and industry, while boldly and consciously sampling selected skill sets along the way.
