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This paper presents the crystal structures of an intact nuclear receptor complex—the heterodimer of PPAR-γ and RXR-α bound to DNA, ligands and coactivator peptides.
Head-on collision between the replication and transcription machineries halts DNA synthesis. This work examines what happens when a replisome bumps up against an engaged RNA polymerase. The study finds that the RNA polymerase is displaced from the DNA, but the replisome and the nascent mRNA remain attached. A replication assembly factor, the β-clamp, finds the 3′ end of the mRNA and recruits the still-bound replisome, which exploits the mRNA as a primer to reinitiate DNA synthesis.
Recent studies have indicated that a cell's proteome is significantly larger than the number of protein-coding genes due to extensive alternative splicing. This study describes an unbiased, genome-wide method to characterize RNA-protein binding interactions in vivo. The binding sites of the neuron-specific splicing factor Nova are characterized with the unexpected result that Nova may have an additional function in regulating alternative polyadenylation as well.
Calcium signalling in glial cells couples neuronal activity to regional changes in cerebral blood flow, but the polarity of its effect on the diameter of neighbouring arterioles has remained controversial. This paper reveals that when the glycolytic state of the brain is enhanced by lower tissue oxygenation, glia-mediated vasoconstrictions convert to vasodilations.
A structural analysis of the apoptosis-inducing protein BAX in complex with a peptide derived from its activator BIM reveals an unforeseen interaction site that does not involve the classic hydrophobic groove reported for inhibitors of apoptosis. This identification of BAX's activation site provides mechanistic insights into a cell's demise.
Sequencing of over 600 genes in a large collection of lung adenocarcinoma samples provides an overview of somatic mutations and signalling pathways altered in cancer genes in this tumour type.
The Devonian fossil Tiktaalik roseae represents a transitional form between fishes and tetrapods. This paper presents a detailed examination of the braincase of this creature. Although primitive in many respects, some features nod to the tetrapod state.
This study reports the structure of the SecA–SecY complex from bacteria. The structure reveals major conformational changes between both partners and provides novel insights into the path taken by a translocating protein.
It is now established that pluripotent adult germline stem cells (haGSCs) are derived from spermatogonial cells of adult human testis and proposed that it may be possible to derive haGSCs from testicular biopsies to generate cells for individual cell-based therapy.
This paper identifies the ecological and molecular basis of divergent evolution in the visual system of Lake Victoria cichlid fishes, leading to speciation through sensory drive without geographical isolation.