Cell biology articles within Nature Communications

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    Core clock genes, such asBmal1, are expressed in astrocytes, but their contribution to the timekeeping system is unknown. Barca-Mayo et al. report that deletion of Bmal1in Glast+ astrocytes alters the neuronal clock through GABA signalling, leading to abnormal circadian locomotor behaviour and impaired cognition in mice.

    • Olga Barca-Mayo
    • , Meritxell Pons-Espinal
    •  & Davide De Pietri Tonelli

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R)-mediated acute catecholamine release is modulated by β-arrestin. Here the authors show that β-arrestin-1 recruits the Ca2+channel TRPC3 and the PLCγ to the AT1R-β-arrestin complex, triggering G protein-independent calcium influx and catecholamine secretion.

    • Chun-Hua Liu
    • , Zheng Gong
    •  & Jin-Peng Sun

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote necroptosis and the receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1) is a key player in this form of cell death. Here, the authors show that cysteine residues in RIP1 sense ROS and oxidation of the cysteines triggers RIP1 autophosphorylation, which promotes functional necrosome formation.

    • Yingying Zhang
    • , Sheng Sean Su
    •  & Jiahuai Han

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The function of many human long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is still undetermined. Here, the authors setup a gain of function CRISPR-based screen and identify a lncRNA that positively regulates AKT activity by interacting with the RNA helicase DHX9 resulting in stabilization of PI3K regulatory subunit p85.

    • Pratirodh Koirala
    • , Jianguo Huang
    •  & Yin-Yuan Mo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The kinase FAK is important for integrin signalling and promotes cell survival. Here, the authors demonstrate FAK regulates adipocyte survival, and is particularly important for maintaining insulin sensitivity during adipose tissue expansion in the context of a calorie-rich diet.

    • Cynthia T. Luk
    • , Sally Yu Shi
    •  & Minna Woo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The androgen receptor is crucial for the development and physiology of reproductive organs. Here the authors present the structure of the androgen receptor ligand-binding domain bound to dihydrotestosterone, identifying a homodimerization interface that is crucial for receptor activityin vivo.

    • Marta Nadal
    • , Stefan Prekovic
    •  & Eva Estébanez-Perpiñá

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Asthma is characterized by abnormal airway hyperresponsiveness. Here the authors identify BPIFA1 as a factor secreted by airway epithelial cells, and show that it regulates contractility of airway smooth muscle cells by binding to and regulating the Orai1 Ca2+channel.

    • Tongde Wu
    • , Julianne Huang
    •  & Robert Tarran

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The transcription factor EB (TFEB) is a master regulator of lysosomal biogenesis. Here authors show that trehalose, an mTOR-independent autophagy inducer, alleviates the pathological phenotypes in a mouse model of neurodegenerative disease. Trehalose acts by inhibiting Akt, which normally suppresses TFEB via an mTORC1-independent mechanism.

    • Michela Palmieri
    • , Rituraj Pal
    •  & Marco Sardiello

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Damaged mitochondria are normally cleared through canonical and alternative autophagy pathways. Here, the authors report that mitochondria can be cleared through an autophagy-independent endosomal-lysosomal pathway that depends on Parkin-dependent sequestration of mitochondria in Rab5-positive early endosomes.

    • Babette C. Hammerling
    • , Rita H. Najor
    •  & Åsa B. Gustafsson

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The ciliary transition zone (TZ) regulates the protein and membrane composition of the primary cilium. Here the authors identify the kinesin-3 motor protein KIF13B as a regulator of TZ membrane composition that controls the ciliary accumulation of Smoothened, which is involved in activation of Sonic hedgehog signalling.

    • Kenneth B. Schou
    • , Johanne B. Mogensen
    •  & Lotte B. Pedersen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Circadian clocks regulate physiological and behavioural rhythms. Here, the authors show that the stiffness of the extracellular environment regulates circadian clocks in murine breast epithelium via Rho signalling, and explain how extracellular matrix stiffening in aging affects circadian rhythm, with implication in disease.

    • Nan Yang
    • , Jack Williams
    •  & Qing-Jun Meng

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The transfer of ubiquitin (UB) to cellular targets is mediated sequentially by three groups of enzymes, UB activating enzyme (E1), UB conjugating enzyme (E2) and UB ligase (E3). Here the authors provide evidence that the two mammalian E1 enzymes, Uba1 and Uba6, exert biologically distinct functions.

    • Xianpeng Liu
    • , Bo Zhao
    •  & Hiroaki Kiyokawa

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Interaction of fibronectin with αv-class and α5β1 integrins results in formation of cell adhesion complexes, but the initial events (<120 s) remain unclear. Here, the authors show that αv-class integrins bind fibronectin faster than α5β1 integrins and subsequently signal to α5ß1 integrins to strengthen the adhesion.

    • Mitasha Bharadwaj
    • , Nico Strohmeyer
    •  & Daniel J. Müller

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Keratin 16 is an epithelial protein highly expressed at pressure bearing sites and during wound healing and cancer. Here the authors show that K16 interacts with the inactive protease Rhbdf2, associated with Tylosis with oesophageal cancer, and that this interaction drives increased keratinocyte proliferation.

    • Thiviyani Maruthappu
    • , Anissa Chikh
    •  & David P. Kelsell

  • Article
    | Open Access

    mTORC1 and mTORC2 are alternatively required for differentiation of T cells into Th1/Th17 or Th2 cells. Here the authors show mTORC2 signalling is also needed for IL-4-induced M2 activation with functional evidence provided by aN. brasiliensisinfection model and cold challenge to model adaptive thermogenesis.

    • R. W. Hallowell
    • , S. L. Collins
    •  & M. R. Horton

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Despite their role in oceanic CaCO3production, the physiological processes responsible for calcification in foraminifera are poorly understood Here, the authors show that calcification is driven by rapid transformation of bicarbonate to carbonate inside the cytoplasm, achieved by active outward proton pumping.

    • Takashi Toyofuku
    • , Miki Y. Matsuo
    •  & Hiroshi Kitazato

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The Snf1-related kinase (SNRK) is widely expressed and yet its function is poorly understood. Here the authors show that SNRK regulates mitochondrial coupling via the Trib3-PPARα-UCP3 pathway and that cardiac overexpression of SNRK decreases metabolic substrate usage and oxygen consumption but maintains cardiac function and energy in mice.

    • Amy K. Rines
    • , Hsiang-Chun Chang
    •  & Hossein Ardehali

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The mitotic exit network (MEN) triggers mitotic exit and can be blocked by the spindle position checkpoint (SPOC). Here the authors show that SPOC kinase Kin4 counterbalances MEN activation by the Cdc fourteen early anaphase release (FEAR) network in the mother cell and that in the absence of FEAR mitotic exit requires daughter cell-confined factors.

    • Ayse Koca Caydasi
    • , Anton Khmelinskii
    •  & Gislene Pereira

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Inhibitors of the mTORC1 pathway are considered anti-cancer drugs. Here, the authors show that on nutrient restriction, glutaminolysis-induced activation of mTORC1 induces apoptosis via inhibiting autophagy, highlighting that under such conditions inhibition of mTORC1 results in survival of cancer cells.

    • Victor H. Villar
    • , Tra Ly Nguyen
    •  & Raúl V. Durán

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Membrane fusion during exocytosis is mediated by interaction between SNARE proteins on vesicles and the cell membrane, but how SNARE complex assembly is initiated remains unknown. Here, the authors show that interaction of Sec3 with Sso2 on the plasma membrane promotes formation of an Sso2–Sec9 complex, an early step in SNARE assembly, likely by inhibiting Sso2 auto-inhibition.

    • Peng Yue
    • , Yubo Zhang
    •  & Wei Guo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Tumour microenvironment influences the migration of cancer cells. Here the authors analyse the proteomic constitution of the extracellular matrix and identify a role for fibronectin in regulating the collective migration of squamous cell carcinoma cells.

    • Sandeep Gopal
    • , Laurence Veracini
    •  & Ellen Van Obberghen-Schilling

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Activation of YAP contributes to tumorigenesis in several tissues. Here, the authors show that in breast cancer cells glucocorticoids induce expression of fibronectin that in turn activates focal adhesion kinase/Src signalling to promote YAP nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity.

    • Giovanni Sorrentino
    • , Naomi Ruggeri
    •  & Giannino Del Sal

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Organisms improve their fitness by adjusting their gene expression to the environment, for example bacteria scale the expression of metabolic enzymes near linearly to their growth rate. Here, the authors show that such linear scaling often maximizes growth rate, but that linear scaling is suboptimal under some conditions.

    • Benjamin D. Towbin
    • , Yael Korem
    •  & Uri Alon

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Collagen has a role in cancer and is particularly important for breast cancer. Here the authors show that the expression of α3 type V collagen and one of its receptors- glipican-1- in the same cell, contributes to a deregulated growth of breast cancer cells.

    • Guorui Huang
    • , Gaoxiang Ge
    •  & Daniel S. Greenspan

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Osteoclasts are bone resorptive cells and an attractive target to treat diseases characterized by excessive bone loss, but little is known about osteoclast inhibition. Here the authors identify Gα13 as an intracellular inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis that can prevent bone loss in mice via Akt activation and inhibition of RhoA signalling.

    • Mengrui Wu
    • , Wei Chen
    •  & Yi-Ping Li

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Fluid frictional forces around cancer cells influence chemokine production and delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs but it is unclear if they directly impact tumour biology through biomechanical effects. Here, the authors show that wall shear stress stimulates cancer cell migration through a ROCK–LIMK–YAP axis.

    • Hyun Jung Lee
    • , Miguel F. Diaz
    •  & Pamela L. Wenzel

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Repo-Man is a chromosome-binding subunit of protein phosphatase 1 to regulate mitosis. Here, de Castro and colleagues show that Repo-Man also regulates heterochromatin during interphase, and regulates gene repression and chromatin organization.

    • Inês J. de Castro
    • , James Budzak
    •  & Paola Vagnarelli

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Endothelial cells (ECs) are promising strategies to treat vasculopathies but little is known about the factors that sustain EC identity and govern functional integration into vasculature after transplantation. Here the authors show that Ets factors and Sox17 convert nonvascular cells to vascular cells with stable EC identity and function.

    • William Schachterle
    • , Chaitanya R. Badwe
    •  & Shahin Rafii

  • Article
    | Open Access

    EpCAM is an unconventional epithelia-specific cell–cell adhesion molecule, that is mutated in the majority of cases of Congenital Tufting Enteropathy. Here the authors show that loss of EpCAM causes a concentration of contractile activity at tricellular junctions, leading to aberrant apical domain and tight junction displacement.

    • Julie Salomon
    • , Cécile Gaston
    •  & Delphine Delacour

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Reduced BMP receptor II signalling underlies pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Here, Hurstet al. show that TNFα subverts BMP signalling by increasing BMP6 expression and signalling via an alternative BMP receptor, ALK2, in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells to drive abnormal proliferation and PAH.

    • Liam A. Hurst
    • , Benjamin J. Dunmore
    •  & Nicholas W. Morrell

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Inhibition of PI3K/mTOR, which mimics nutrient starvation, causes death of detached but not matrix-attached cancer cells. Here the authors show that nutrient restriction of epithelial cells causes uptake of the matrix protein laminin, which results in increased intracellular amino acids and enhanced mTORC1 signalling.

    • Taru Muranen
    • , Marcin P. Iwanicki
    •  & Nada Y. Kalaany

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Overexpression of SNAIL confers tumour cells with cancer stem-like characteristics associated with tumour progression. Here the authors show that inhibition of CDK4/6 blocks tumour metastasis in triple negative breast cancer by targeting DUB3 which in turns deubiquitinates and stabilises SNAIL1.

    • Tongzheng Liu
    • , Jia Yu
    •  & Zhenkun Lou

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Environmental stress causes epigenetic changes but it is unclear if such changes are transgenerational. Here, the authors show that inC. elegans, increased resistance to oxidative stress and proteotoxicity in the parental generation and linked epigenetic changes are transmitted to subsequent generations.

    • Saya Kishimoto
    • , Masaharu Uno
    •  & Eisuke Nishida

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) maintains intestinal homeostasis by restricting its hyperproliferation but whether it directly regulates the stem cells is unknown. Here the authors show that BMP constrains the Lgr5+stem cell expansion under both homeostatic and injury conditions through Smad-mediated repression of stem cell signature genes.

    • Zhen Qi
    • , Yehua Li
    •  & Ye-Guang Chen

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The protein tyrosine kinase c-Src is a renowned proto-oncogene with pleiotropic effects. Here, the authors show that c-Src induces the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells by phosphorylating hexokinases HK1 and HK2, which in turns lead to increased HK catalytic activity and consequent enhancement of glycolysis.

    • Jia Zhang
    • , Suili Wang
    •  & Qinxi Li

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The Mon1-Ccz1 (MC1) complex is a Rab guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RabGEF) for Ypt7/Rab7 important for endosomal maturation. Here the authors present the biochemical and structural characterization of MC1, elucidating its catalytic mechanism and showing that MC1 represents novel class of RabGEFs.

    • Stephan Kiontke
    • , Lars Langemeyer
    •  & Daniel Kümmel

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Kinesin-14s are commonly considered to be minus end-directed microtubule motor proteins. Here the authors show that KlpA, a fungal kinesin-14 orthologue, relies on its N-terminal nonmotor microtubule-binding tail to achieve context-dependent bidirectional motility.

    • Andrew R. Popchock
    • , Kuo-Fu Tseng
    •  & Weihong Qiu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The functions of the highly reduced mitochondria (mitosomes) of microsporidians are not well-characterized. Here, the authors show that theTrachipleistophora hominismitosome is the site of iron–sulfur cluster assembly and that its retention is likely linked to its role in cytosolic and nuclear iron–sulfur protein maturation.

    • Sven-A. Freibert
    • , Alina V. Goldberg
    •  & Roland Lill

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Cell–cell adhesion and oriented cell division play key roles in tissue architecture, but how they are coordinated is not known. Here, the authors show that E-cadherin interacts with LGN, and thereby provides a cortical cue that serves to stabilize cortical attachment of astral microtubules at cell–cell adhesions, thus orienting the mitotic spindle.

    • Martijn Gloerich
    • , Julie M. Bianchini
    •  & W. James Nelson

  • Article
    | Open Access

    DFNA5 is related to the caspase-dependent pyroptosis inducer gasdermin D. Here the authors find that DFNA5 is cleaved by caspase 3 and show this cleavage skews cells away from apoptosis into secondary necrosis, a form of cell death characterized by membrane ballooning similar to pyroptosis.

    • Corey Rogers
    • , Teresa Fernandes-Alnemri
    •  & Emad S. Alnemri

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