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The collective migration of cells as cohesive groups is prevalent during embryogenesis, organ development, wound repair and tumour invasion. The mechanisms that underlie different forms of collective cell migration are not well understood, but some general principles are emerging.
Studies of autophagy in yeast have identified a family of autophagy-related (Atg) proteins, which are required for membrane formation in autophagy. The dynamic assembly of Atg proteins into the pre-autophagosomal structure dictates the localization and activity of the autophagic machinery.
The cytoplasmic and nuclear steps of the Wnt signalling pathway are fairly well understood. New insights into how secreted Wnt ligands stimulate receptor-mediated signalling have shown an unexpected diversity of Wnt receptors and further complexity in cellular responses.
The mitotic checkpoint is a cell cycle control mechanism that guards against chromosome missegregation and the subsequent production of aneuploid daughter cells. Although aneuploidy is a common characteristic of tumours, it can suppress tumorigenesis in certain genetic contexts and cell types.
In interphase, chromosomes are associated with proteins and RNAs that participate in many metabolic processes. During mitosis, these components might inhibit chromosome segregation or reduce its fidelity. The author proposes the existence of a molecular mechanism that eliminates unwanted components from mitotic chromosomes.
Bio-art — the crossover of art and biology — comes in many forms, including genetic portraits, transgenic animals and semi-living entities. But why do artists and scientists come together to collaborate on such projects, and what are the ethical implications of turning life into art?