Growth factor signalling

Zhang et al. report that angiogenesis in the chick embryo is supported by migrasomes — recently described organelles produced by migrating cells.

mTORC1 integrates environmental signals to promote anabolism and repress catabolism. In this issue of Nature Metabolism, Hosios et al. identify a role for mTORC1 in controlling endosomal trafficking and degradation of membrane phospholipids in the lysosome, revealing a novel process used by cells to adapt to poor growth conditions.

EGFR is an oncogene that is frequently amplified in glioblastoma. A new study suggests a tumour-suppressive role of EGFR in EGFR-amplified glioblastoma regulated by ligand abundance. Increased EGFR ligand in EGFR-amplified glioblastoma suppresses invasion by upregulating BIN3 and inhibiting activation of Rho GTPases.

How lymphatic vessels arise from veins is still poorly understood. A study reports the discovery of a ribosome biogenesis regulator Ddx21 as a previously unappreciated specific factor that is important for the first steps of lymphatic but not blood vessel development. The finding may lead to better strategies to selectively target lymphangiogenesis.

FGFR-altered triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) develops adaptive resistance to FGFR inhibitor therapy. A new study shows that sustained FGFR inhibition causes SWI/SNF complex eviction at YAP-recruited enhancers followed by increased mTORC1 activity. Dual inhibition of YAP or mTORC1 and FGFR has a synergistic effect on tumour growth.