Featured
-
-
Article
| Open AccessCytosolic actin isoforms form networks with different rheological properties that indicate specific biological function
β-actin and γ-actin are nearly identical, and yet incorporate into different cytoskeletal structures. Here, the authors create isoform-pure reconstituted networks and study their structural and mechanical differences, underscoring the significance of the isoforms in diverse cellular functions.
- Peter Nietmann
- , Kevin Kaub
- & Andreas Janshoff
-
Article
| Open AccessSelenoprotein deficiency disorder predisposes to aortic aneurysm formation
Aortic aneurysms have a heritable basis. Here, the authors report that a selenoprotein deficiency disorder due to mutations in SECISBP2, causes oxidative stress-mediated aortic cell death, predisposing to thoracic aortic aneurysm formation.
- Erik Schoenmakers
- , Federica Marelli
- & Krishna Chatterjee
-
Article
| Open AccessDefining a core configuration for human centromeres during mitosis
The detailed 3D organization of human centromere components is unknown. Here, the authors use super-resolution microscopy to present a working model for a common core centromere structure.
- Ayantika Sen Gupta
- , Chris Seidel
- & Jennifer L. Gerton
-
Article
| Open AccessA dynamic partitioning mechanism polarizes membrane protein distribution
Different membrane proteins dynamically polarize to organize signal transduction, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Here, the authors show that a differential diffusion mediated partitioning process is sufficient to drive such spatiotemporal patterning of membrane-associated signaling proteins.
- Tatsat Banerjee
- , Satomi Matsuoka
- & Pablo A. Iglesias
-
Matters Arising
| Open AccessHow carvedilol does not activate β2-adrenoceptors
- Robert J. Lefkowitz
- , Howard A. Rockman
- & Milton Packer
-
Matters Arising
| Open AccessReply to: How carvedilol does not activate β2-adrenoceptors
- Evi Kostenis
- , Jesus Gomeza
- & Stefan Schulz
-
Article
| Open AccessiU-ExM: nanoscopy of organelles and tissues with iterative ultrastructure expansion microscopy
Current expansion microscopy approaches need further optimization to achieve the precision of nanoscopy techniques. Here, the authors develop an iterative ultrastructure expansion microscopy (iU-ExM) approach that achieves SMLM-level resolution.
- Vincent Louvel
- , Romuald Haase
- & Paul Guichard
-
Article
| Open AccessCurveCurator: a recalibrated F-statistic to assess, classify, and explore significance of dose–response curves
Dose-response curves are ubiquitous in pharmacology and biology, yet potency and effect size are often estimated even when there is no response. Here, authors present a statistical framework to assess curve significance and demonstrate how this aids drug mode of action analysis in large public datasets.
- Florian P. Bayer
- , Manuel Gander
- & Matthew The
-
Article
| Open AccessCaMKK2 and CHK1 phosphorylate human STN1 in response to replication stress to protect stalled forks from aberrant resection
Here the authors show that the calcium-sensing kinase CaMKK2 phosphorylates STN1 in response to replication stress and elevated cytosolic calcium concentration to protect stalled replication forks from aberrant MRE11 degradation. Cancer-associated STN1 mutations abolish STN1 phosphorylation, resulting in fork instability.
- Rishi Kumar Jaiswal
- , Kai-Hang Lei
- & Weihang Chai
-
Article
| Open AccessNon-canonical pathway for Rb inactivation and external signaling coordinate cell-cycle entry without CDK4/6 activity
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK4/6) play a crucial role in initiating cell growth. Here, Zhang et al. unveil a mechanism that bypasses CDK4/6, shedding light on an alternative pathway of cell-cycle initiation and quiescence maintenance.
- Mimi Zhang
- , Sungsoo Kim
- & Hee Won Yang
-
Article
| Open AccessEndosomal Arl4A attenuates EGFR degradation by binding to the ESCRT-II component VPS36
Endosomal EGFR signaling and lysosomal degradation play important roles in controlling numerous biological processes. Here, the authors show that Arl4A negatively regulates EGFR degradation by binding to VPS36 and attenuating ESCRT-mediated late endosomal EGFR sorting.
- Shin-Jin Lin
- , Ming-Chieh Lin
- & Fang-Jen S. Lee
-
Article
| Open AccessArabidopsis telomerase takes off by uncoupling enzyme activity from telomere length maintenance in space
Telomeres are proposed to be sentinels for stress. Here, the authors report a strong induction of telomerase in space-flown Arabidopsis without telomere length changes. Instead, telomerase activity is inversely correlated with genome oxidation
- Borja Barbero Barcenilla
- , Alexander D. Meyers
- & Dorothy E. Shippen
-
Article
| Open AccessTime-resolved proteomic profiling reveals compositional and functional transitions across the stress granule life cycle
Stress granules (SGs) are dynamic compartments with a poorly characterized transition in composition and function during prolonged stress. In this study, the authors investigated the dynamic changes in SG constituents during acute to prolonged heat shock using time-resolved proteomic profiling.
- Shuyao Hu
- , Yufeng Zhang
- & Yun Bai
-
Article
| Open AccessModulation of insulin secretion by RBFOX2-mediated alternative splicing
Insulin secretion from the pancreatic beta cell is a tightly regulated process that is vital for maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. Here, the authors show that the RNA binding protein RBFOX2 is a regulator of insulin secretion through the alternative splicing of genes required for insulin granule docking and exocytosis.
- Nicole D. Moss
- , Kristen L. Wells
- & Lori Sussel
-
Article
| Open AccessAcetyl-CoA is a key molecule for nephron progenitor cell pool maintenance
Cell metabolism plays pivotal roles during kidney embryogenesis. This research shows that glycolysis modulation affects nephron progenitor cells via Acetyl-CoA-modulated pathways, influencing both kidney development, and nephron endowment at birth.
- Fabiola Diniz
- , Nguyen Yen Nhi Ngo
- & Giovane G. Tortelote
-
Article
| Open AccessDynamical control enables the formation of demixed biomolecular condensates
In this work, the authors report that protein-RNA condensates with shared proteins and distinct RNAs can form and persist in vitro and in cells as distinct entities if the nonshared RNA molecules are dynamically arrested, but the shared protein components are dynamically exchangeable.
- Andrew Z. Lin
- , Kiersten M. Ruff
- & Rohit V. Pappu
-
Article
| Open Access3D bioprinted multilayered cerebrovascular conduits to study cancer extravasation mechanism related with vascular geometry
Geometrical complexities of blood vessels alter biophysical behaviors of circulating tumor cells, influencing cancer metastasis. Here, the authors develop a 3D bioprinted in vitro brain blood vessel-on-a-chip to investigate continuities between vascular geometry and metastatic cancer development.
- Wonbin Park
- , Jae-Seong Lee
- & Dong-Woo Cho
-
Article
| Open AccessGenetic separation of Brca1 functions reveal mutation-dependent Polθ vulnerabilities
Homologous recombination (HR) gene mutations are thought to be synthetic lethal with DNA polymerase theta (Polθ) inhibition. Here, the authors reveal that Polθ addiction is determined by the functional impact of gene mutations on DNA end resection activity.
- John J. Krais
- , David J. Glass
- & Neil Johnson
-
Article
| Open AccessBioE3 identifies specific substrates of ubiquitin E3 ligases
Here, the authors describe BioE3, a biotin-based method to discriminate direct substrates of ubiquitin E3 ligases of interest from mere interactors using proximity proteomics. BioE3 responds to chemical treatments, and works with RING- and HECT-type E3s, as well as ubiquitin-likes (e.g., SUMO).
- Orhi Barroso-Gomila
- , Laura Merino-Cacho
- & James D. Sutherland
-
Article
| Open AccessNod1-dependent NF-kB activation initiates hematopoietic stem cell specification in response to small Rho GTPases
The signals that enable endothelial cells to switch to hemogenic to generate hematopoietic stem cells are poorly understood. Here, the authors identify an intracellular sensor of pathogens as an inductive developmental cue that primes this switch.
- Xiaoyi Cheng
- , Radwa Barakat
- & Raquel Espin-Palazon
-
Article
| Open AccessA reversible state of hypometabolism in a human cellular model of sporadic Parkinson’s disease
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a contributing factor in Parkinson’s disease. Here the authors carry out a multilayered omics analysis of Parkinson’s disease patient-derived neuronal cells, which reveals a reversible hypometabolism mediated by α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase deficiency, which is correlated with disease progression in the donating patients.
- Sebastian Schmidt
- , Constantin Stautner
- & Wolfgang Wurst
-
Article
| Open Access3D reconstructions of parasite development and the intracellular niche of the microsporidian pathogen Encephalitozoon intestinalis
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasitic fungi that can cause opportunistic infections in humans. Here, Antao et al. investigate the intracellular life cycle of human-infecting Encephalitozoon intestinalis using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy to characterize parasite organelle development and host-cell mitochondrial remodeling.
- Noelle V. Antao
- , Cherry Lam
- & Gira Bhabha
-
Article
| Open AccessVector-borne Trypanosoma brucei parasites develop in artificial human skin and persist as skin tissue forms
Here, authors show that tsetse-fly transmitted trypanosomes rapidly differentiate within human skin equivalents, eventually entering a reversible quiescent stage and conclude that these skin tissue forms may contribute to long-term parasite infections in asymptomatic individuals.
- Christian Reuter
- , Laura Hauf
- & Markus Engstler
-
Article
| Open AccessMid-old cells are a potential target for anti-aging interventions in the elderly
In this study, the authors introduce the concept of a unique cellular subtype within the organic stroma, which does not conform to a typical young or senescent but is significantly associated with age-related organic dysfunction among the elderly.
- Young Hwa Kim
- , Young-Kyoung Lee
- & Tae Jun Park
-
Article
| Open AccessReduced FOXF1 links unrepaired DNA damage to pulmonary arterial hypertension
It is unknown whether unrepaired DNA damage in lung endothelial cells causes persistent pulmonary arterial hypertension. Here, the authors combine oxidative stress with impaired BMPR2 signaling to link a reduction in FOXF1 to unrepaired DNA damage and impaired regeneration of normal endothelium.
- Sarasa Isobe
- , Ramesh V. Nair
- & Marlene Rabinovitch
-
Article
| Open AccessVesicles driven by dynein and kinesin exhibit directional reversals without regulators
Intracellular transport along microtubules involves runs, pauses and directional reversals. Here, D’Souza et al. mimic these dynamics in vitro using a minimal system of Dynein-Dynactin-BICD2 and Kinesin-3 on vesicles without the need for regulators.
- Ashwin I. D’Souza
- , Rahul Grover
- & Stefan Diez
-
Article
| Open AccessMegakaryocyte- and erythroblast-specific cell-free DNA patterns in plasma and platelets reflect thrombopoiesis and erythropoiesis levels
Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has diagnostic potential, and clarifying its origins will aid in the minimally-invasive detection and monitoring of disease. Here, authors find that physiologically, megakaryocytes are major sources of cfDNA, while erythroblasts also release small amounts of cfDNA.
- Joshua Moss
- , Roni Ben-Ami
- & Yuval Dor
-
Article
| Open AccessStructures of the interleukin 11 signalling complex reveal gp130 dynamics and the inhibitory mechanism of a cytokine variant
Interleukin (IL-)11 is a signaling protein that plays key roles in several human diseases. Here the authors describe structures of IL-11 in complex with its receptors and determine the molecular mechanisms through which a variant of IL-11 inhibits signalling, opening avenues for therapeutic development.
- Riley D. Metcalfe
- , Eric Hanssen
- & Michael D. W. Griffin
-
Article
| Open AccessThe TDRD3-USP9X complex and MIB1 regulate TOP3B homeostasis and prevent deleterious TOP3B cleavage complexes
TDRD3 is a key interaction partner of TOP3B. Here the authors provide molecular mechanisms by which TDRD3 stabilizes TOP3B protein by recruiting the deubiquitylase USP9X. In addition, they show that TDRD3 protects cells from deleterious TOP3B linked DNA and RNA cleavage complexes.
- Sourav Saha
- , Shar-yin Naomi Huang
- & Yves Pommier
-
Article
| Open AccessNanoscale patterning of collagens in C. elegans apical extracellular matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical for animal development and intricately patterned at multiple scales. Here Adams and Pooranachithra et al. show how specific collagens are precisely localized to struts, highly patterned sub-micron structures in the nematode cuticle ECM.
- Jennifer R. G. Adams
- , Murugesan Pooranachithra
- & Andrew D. Chisholm
-
Article
| Open AccessAdaptive traits of cysts of the snow alga Sanguina nivaloides unveiled by 3D subcellular imaging
Sanguina nivaloides thrives in red snowfields worldwide. It cannot be cultivated. Using environmental samples, 3D electron microscopy combined with functional analyzes revealed unique cell architecture features adapted to life in a snowy environment.
- Jade A. Ezzedine
- , Clarisse Uwizeye
- & Eric Maréchal
-
Article
| Open AccessZHX2 emerges as a negative regulator of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation during acute liver injury
Mitochondria dysfunction contributes to acute liver injuries. Zhang et al. find that Zhx2 deletion enhances mitochondrial function by promoting electron transport chain gene expression via PGC-1α dependent and independent manner.
- Yankun Zhang
- , Yuchen Fan
- & Chunhong Ma
-
Article
| Open AccessMid-cell migration of the chromosomal terminus is coupled to origin segregation in Escherichia coli
In slow-growing Escherichia coli, the chromosomal terminus is initially located at the new pole and must therefore migrate to midcell during replication to reproduce the same pattern in the daughter cells. Here, Sadhir & Murray use high-throughput time-lapse microscopy to quantify this transition, its timing and its relationship to chromosome segregation, identifying an unexplored connection between the origin of replication locus and the terminus.
- Ismath Sadhir
- & Seán M. Murray
-
Article
| Open AccessPatterning and dynamics of membrane adhesion under hydraulic stress
Hydraulic fracturing remodels cell-cell adhesions in physiology and during development. Here, authors combine vesicle experiments and computational modeling to identify the physical principles behind biological fracking.
- Céline Dinet
- , Alejandro Torres-Sánchez
- & Margarita Staykova
-
Article
| Open AccessSEPTIN2 suppresses an IFN-γ-independent, proinflammatory macrophage activation pathway
Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is an important but not exclusive proinflammatory mediator in macrophages. Here authors show that IFN-γ-independent macrophage autoactivation involves endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which in turn induces the GTP-binding protein Septin2 to limit inflammation via a negative feedback loop.
- Beibei Fu
- , Yan Xiong
- & Haibo Wu
-
Article
| Open AccessInflammatory macrophages reprogram to immunosuppression by reducing mitochondrial translation
The immune suppression required for the resolution of acute inflammation is characterised by molecular and metabolic reprogramming of myeloid cells. Authors here show that the transcription factor ZEB1 is a key mediator of the pathway governing transition from inflammation to immunosuppression via regulating mitochondrial translation in macrophages.
- Marlies Cortés
- , Agnese Brischetto
- & Antonio Postigo
-
Article
| Open AccessTranscriptional responses of cancer cells to heat shock-inducing stimuli involve amplification of robust HSF1 binding
The authors compare the heat shock response between different cell lines and stimuli and reveal the genome-wide binding of its master transcription factor HSF1 as a platform for context-specific transcription activation.
- Sayantani Ghosh Dastidar
- , Bony De Kumar
- & Sergei Nechaev
-
Article
| Open AccessAn oocyte meiotic midbody cap is required for developmental competence in mice
Midbodies form during cell division and play roles in cell function and fate. Here, the authors show that the meiotic midbody in mouse oocytes has a specialized cap structure required to retain nascent proteins in eggs and for full developmental competence.
- Gyu Ik Jung
- , Daniela Londoño-Vásquez
- & Karen Schindler
-
Article
| Open AccessFate specification is spatially intermingled across planarian stem cells
Stem cells can select among a wide array of fates. Here, the authors utilize spatial transcriptomics and three-dimensional neighborhood analysis to uncover that fate choices in planarian stem cells occur in a highly intermingled pattern.
- Chanyoung Park
- , Kwadwo E. Owusu-Boaitey
- & Peter W. Reddien
-
Article
| Open AccessNucleolar reorganization after cellular stress is orchestrated by SMN shuttling between nuclear compartments
DNA damage causes a major reorganization of the nucleolus. Here, the authors find that this structural restoration depends on the shuttling of the protein SMN from the Cajal bodies to the nucleolus, which requires coilin and PRMT1.
- Shaqraa Musawi
- , Lise-Marie Donnio
- & Giuseppina Giglia-Mari
-
Article
| Open AccessA palisade-shaped membrane reservoir is required for rapid ring cell inflation in Drechslerella dactyloides
Nematode trapping fungi must be able to quickly respond to catch nematodes. Here, Chen et al show that the constriction of ring cells in Drechslerella dactyloides requires vesicular fusion and the formation of a palisade-shaped membrane-building structure.
- Yue Chen
- , Jia Liu
- & Xingzhong Liu
-
Article
| Open AccessMechanical loading and hyperosmolarity as a daily resetting cue for skeletal circadian clocks
The 24-hour circadian clocks in cartilage and intervertebral disc play key roles in regulating tissue physiology, yet how they are reset on a daily basis remains elusive. Here the authors show that daily patterns of mechanical loading and associated changes in osmolarity provide a tissue-type specific entrainment time cue for these skeletal clocks.
- Michal Dudek
- , Dharshika R. J. Pathiranage
- & Qing-Jun Meng
-
Article
| Open AccessThe GET insertase exhibits conformational plasticity and induces membrane thinning
Tail-anchored (TA) membrane protein biogenesis is mediated by the GET insertase. Here, authors present cryo-EM and X-ray structures, MD simulations and functional data for human and fungal insertases showing membrane remodeling for TA insertion.
- Melanie A. McDowell
- , Michael Heimes
- & Irmgard Sinning
-
Article
| Open AccessEpidermal growth factor receptor activation is essential for kidney fibrosis development
Fibrosis is the progressive accumulation of excess extracellular matrix produced by myofibroblasts leading to organ failure. Here the authors show that expression of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) increases in interstitial myofibroblasts in human and mouse fibrotic kidneys, and selective EGFR deletion in the fibroblast/pericyte population inhibits interstitial fibrosis in response to unilateral ureteral obstruction, ischemia or nephrotoxins.
- Shirong Cao
- , Yu Pan
- & Raymond C. Harris
-
Article
| Open AccessLong-term cargo tracking reveals intricate trafficking through active cytoskeletal networks in the crowded cellular environment
Leveraging a label-free interferometric scattering microscope, scientists tracked numerous cargos within a crowded cellular environment. Intriguingly, cells employ effective strategies echoing human transportation systems to manage such transportation hurdles.
- Jin-Sung Park
- , Il-Buem Lee
- & Minhaeng Cho
-
Article
| Open AccessAn adaptive stress response that confers cellular resilience to decreased ubiquitination
Hunt et al. identify the protein sets that are modulated by RNAi for each E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme in human cells. By analyzing the UBA1/E2-sensitive proteome, they report an adaptive stress response that preserves peroxisomal protein import in cells with decreased ubiquitination capacity.
- Liam C. Hunt
- , Vishwajeeth Pagala
- & Fabio Demontis
-
Article
| Open AccessConfined-microtubule assembly shapes three-dimensional cell wall structures in xylem vessels
In plant metaxylem, three-dimensional cell wall arches are formed over pit membranes. Here, the authors show that the microtubule-associated proteins, MAP70-5 and MAP70-1, confine microtubules within the pit aperture and direct growth of pit arches in the proper orientation.
- Takema Sasaki
- , Kei Saito
- & Yoshihisa Oda
-
Article
| Open AccessLocal membrane source gathering by p62 body drives autophagosome formation
Phase separated p62 body plays pivotal roles in autophagy. Here, the authors describe a spatial membrane gathering mode by which p62 body functions in autophagosome formation.
- Xuezhao Feng
- , Daxiao Sun
- & Na Mi
-
Article
| Open AccessRNA m6A methylation modulates airway inflammation in allergic asthma via PTX3-dependent macrophage homeostasis
The function of METTL3 and RNA methylation is important in various biological processes. Here the authors show that METTL3 is reduced in childhood asthma patients and that conditional knockout of Mettl3 in mouse myeloid cells enhances Th2 response and allergic asthma associated with changes in macrophage function.
- Xiao Han
- , Lijuan Liu
- & Yufeng Zhou
Browse broader subjects
Browse narrower subjects
- Autophagy
- Cell adhesion
- Cell death
- Cell division
- Cell growth
- Cell migration
- Cell polarity
- Cell signalling
- Cellular imaging
- Chromosomes
- Circadian rhythms
- Cytoskeleton
- Glycobiology
- Mechanisms of disease
- Membrane trafficking
- Nuclear organization
- Nuclear transport
- Organelles
- Post-translational modifications
- Protein folding
- Protein transport
- Proteolysis
- Senescence