Featured
-
-
Article |
Attention gates visual coding in the human pulvinar
The pulvinar nucleus is involved in modulating visual information. Fischer and Whitney use brain imaging to study the pulvinar during visual attention, and find that the positions and orientations of attended objects are precisely encoded in the pulvinar, while information about ignored objects is gated out.
- Jason Fischer
- & David Whitney
-
Article |
Real-time in vivo imaging of the beating mouse heart at microscopic resolution
Microscopic imaging techniques have a high spatio-temporal resolution but, in living animals, are hampered by cardiac and respiratory motion. This paper describes a microscopic setup that allows fluorescent confocal imaging of the beating mouse heart over a period of several hours.
- Sungon Lee
- , Claudio Vinegoni
- & Ralph Weissleder
-
Article
| Open AccessHigh-fat or ethinyl-oestradiol intake during pregnancy increases mammary cancer risk in several generations of offspring
Environmental factors can influence one's susceptibility to cancer, but it is not clear whether such an influence extends beyond the directly exposed generations. Here, feeding pregnant rats with a high-fat diet or a hormone derivative, the authors observe increased breast cancer risk in up to three subsequent generations.
- Sonia de Assis
- , Anni Warri
- & Leena Hilakivi-Clarke
-
Article
| Open AccessGreatwall kinase and cyclin B-Cdk1 are both critical constituents of M-phase-promoting factor
Cyclin B–Cdk1 is thought to be synonymous with the promoting factor that drives entry into M-phase of the cell cycle. Here, Greatwall kinase is shown to be required for the breakdown of the nuclear envelope and the assembly of the spindle on entry into M-phase, suggesting that it too is a part of the M-phase-promoting factor.
- Masatoshi Hara
- , Yusuke Abe
- & Takeo Kishimoto
-
Article |
Discovery of acetylene hydratase activity of the iron–sulphur protein IspH
The iron–sulphur enzyme IspH catalyses the final step of the methylerythritol phosphate isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. Spanet al. report that IspH can hydrate acetylenes to aldehydes and ketones, in addition to its role as a 2H+/2e−reductase.
- Ingrid Span
- , Ke Wang
- & Michael Groll
-
Article |
The amniote paratympanic organ develops from a previously undiscovered sensory placode
The paratympanic organ in the avian middle ear is similar to the fish spiracular organ, but its developmental origin is unresolved. O'Neillet al. use fate mapping techniques to show that the avian paratympanic organ and its afferent neurons arise from a previously undiscovered neurogenic placode.
- Paul O'Neill
- , Siu-Shan Mak
- & Clare V.H. Baker
-
Article |
The use of the sex pheromone as an evolutionary solution to food source selection in caterpillars
Sex pheromones are used by adult members of a species to attract a mate. This study proposes that the larvae of the cotton leafwormSpodoptera littoralisare attracted to sex pheromones and prefer a food source containing it, suggesting an alternative use of the sex pheromone to trigger food search in caterpillars.
- Erwan Poivet
- , Kacem Rharrabe
- & Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly
-
Article |
Lysine methylation of VCP by a member of a novel human protein methyltransferase family
Methyltransferases modify cellular proteins in addition to DNA and histones. These authors identify a new family of lysine-specific methyltransferases and show that a member of this family, which is associated with tumour metastasis, methylates the ATP-dependent protein chaperone VCP/p97.
- Stefan Kernstock
- , Erna Davydova
- & Pål Ø. Falnes
-
Article
| Open AccessThe allosteric vestibule of a seven transmembrane helical receptor controls G-protein coupling
Class A seven transmembrane helical receptors harbour vestibules at the entrance to the ligand-binding domain. Here, Bocket al. use probes to monitor the conformation of the M2 muscarinic receptor and show that the vestibule alters the extent of receptor movement.
- Andreas Bock
- , Nicole Merten
- & Klaus Mohr
-
Article
| Open AccessEfficacy of the β2-adrenergic receptor is determined by conformational equilibrium in the transmembrane region
Many drugs exist that target the β-adrenergic receptor, but they have different efficacies. Kofukuet al. use NMR to show that methionine 82 in the transmembrane domain undergoes conformational changes depending on whether agonists or inverse agonists are bound, explaining the differential drug efficacy.
- Yutaka Kofuku
- , Takumi Ueda
- & Ichio Shimada
-
Article
| Open AccessExtracellular ATP mediates mast cell-dependent intestinal inflammation through P2X7 purinoceptors
Mast cells are mediators of type I allergic disease and inflammation. Here, Kurashimaet al. show that mast cells are increased in the colons of mice with colitis, and that activation of the cells and subsequent inflammation can be blocked by inhibition of the purinoceptor, P2X7.
- Yosuke Kurashima
- , Takeaki Amiya
- & Hiroshi Kiyono
-
Article |
Evidence for methane production by saprotrophic fungi
Methane is an important anthropogenic greenhouse gas and is thought to be produced by industrial processes and prokaryotic methanogenic Archaea. In this study, the saprotrophic fungi,Basidiomycetes, is shown to produce methane in the absence of methanogenic Archaea.
- Katharina Lenhart
- , Michael Bunge
- & Frank Keppler
-
Article |
Imaging enzyme-triggered self-assembly of small molecules inside live cells
Supramolecular interactions allow some small molecules to self-assemble into nanofibres and hydrogels in aqueous environments. Gaoet al.report a hydrogelator that forms fluorescent nanofibres within cells, leading to the visualization of their self-assembly at the endoplasmic reticulum.
- Yuan Gao
- , Junfeng Shi
- & Bing Xu
-
Article |
Identification of the functional binding pocket for compounds targeting small-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium channels
Small- and intermediate-conductance K+channels are activated by calcium-bound calmodulin and modulated by small molecules. In this study, a functional binding pocket for the 1-EBIO class of modulators is described and is located at the calmodulin-channel interface.
- Miao Zhang
- , John M. Pascal
- & Ji-Fang Zhang
-
Article |
Biocompatibility of a genetically encoded calcium indicator in a transgenic mouse model
Calcium-sensing fluorescent proteins such as TN-XXL are valuable tools for studying cellular function but, when expressed in mice, may affect animal physiology and behaviour. The authors of this paper create transgenic mice expressing TN-XXL and show that long-term expression of TN-XXL is tolerated well.
- Stephan Direnberger
- , Marsilius Mues
- & Oliver Griesbeck
-
Article |
Rotational dynamics of cargos at pauses during axonal transport
Vesicle trafficking in the cell is likely to involve a tug-of-war between motor proteins of opposing directionality. Guet al. use high-speed single-particle tracking in neurons to uncover rotation of paused cargo vesicles, providing insight into the changing forces as the vesicles change direction.
- Yan Gu
- , Wei Sun
- & Ning Fang
-
Article
| Open AccessControlled rotation of the F1-ATPase reveals differential and continuous binding changes for ATP synthesis
Reverse rotation of the F1-ATPase results in the synthesis, rather than hydrolysis of ATP. Adachiet al. show that the molecular mechanism of ATP synthesis is the reverse of hydrolysis-driven rotation of the motor, and that ADP and ATP are discriminated by angle-dependent binding.
- Kengo Adachi
- , Kazuhiro Oiwa
- & Kazuhiko Kinosita Jr
-
Article
| Open AccessActive learning framework with iterative clustering for bioimage classification
Semi-automated imaging systems help with the task of classifying large numbers of biological images. This study presents a novel framework—CARTA—with an active learning algorithm combined with a genetic algorithm, whose applications include the classification of magnetic resonance imaging of cancer cells.
- Natsumaro Kutsuna
- , Takumi Higaki
- & Seiichiro Hasezawa
-
Article |
Structured neuronal encoding and decoding of human speech features
Speech is encoded by the firing patterns of speech-controlling neurons in different regions of the brain, which Tankus and colleagues analyse in this study. They find highly specific encoding of vowels in medial–frontal neurons and nonspecific tuning in superior temporal gyrus neurons.
- Ariel Tankus
- , Itzhak Fried
- & Shy Shoham
-
Article |
Macrophage VLDL receptor promotes PAFAH secretion in mother's milk and suppresses systemic inflammation in nursing neonates
Mother's milk contains a number of protective factors, such as the anti-inflammatory enzyme PAFAH. Here, Duet al. show that the VLDL receptor protects nursing newborns from systemic inflammation by maintaining secretion of PAFAH from maternal macrophages into mother's milk.
- Yang Du
- , Marie Yang
- & Yihong Wan
-
Article |
Protein sliding and DNA denaturation are essential for DNA organization by human mitochondrial transcription factor A
The mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) mediates both mitochondrial transcription and DNA compaction, but how it achieves these two functions is unknown. In this study, TFAM is shown to slide along DNA and cause local melting, suggesting a mechanism for how TFAM modulates both transcription and compaction.
- Géraldine Farge
- , Niels Laurens
- & Gijs J.L. Wuite
-
Article
| Open AccessNon-transgenic genome modifications in a hemimetabolous insect using zinc-finger and TAL effector nucleases
Hemimetabolous insects comprise many pests but introducing targeted mutations into these species has been difficult. This paper reports efficient targeted mutagenesis, and the generation of homozygous knockouts, in crickets based on zinc finger nucleases or transcription activator-like effector nucleases.
- Takahito Watanabe
- , Hiroshi Ochiai
- & Taro Mito
-
Article |
Organellar mechanosensitive channels in fission yeast regulate the hypo-osmotic shock response
Mechanosensitive channels are required to sense cell swelling in response to osmotic shock. Nakayamaet al.report that Msy1 and Msy2 are the fission yeast homologues of the bacterial mechanosensitive channel MscS, and are required for regulating intracellular calcium in response to cell swelling.
- Yoshitaka Nakayama
- , Kenjiro Yoshimura
- & Hidetoshi Iida
-
Article
| Open AccessPINK1 autophosphorylation upon membrane potential dissipation is essential for Parkin recruitment to damaged mitochondria
The kinase PINK1 is mutated in Parkinson's disease and accumulates in defective mitochondria, where it recruits Parkin. Here, PINK1 is shown to be autophosphorylated and this is required for the localization of PINK1 to mitochondria with a reduced membrane potential, and for the recruitment of Parkin.
- Kei Okatsu
- , Toshihiko Oka
- & Noriyuki Matsuda
-
Article |
Structures of Pup ligase PafA and depupylase Dop from the prokaryotic ubiquitin-like modification pathway
Pupylation is a bacterial posttranslational modification pathway with functional analogies to ubiquitination. Here, Özceliket al.report the structures of the Pup Ligase, PafA and the Depupylase, Dop. Mutational analysis revealed residues required for catalysis and for the interaction with Pup.
- Dennis Özcelik
- , Jonas Barandun
- & Eilika Weber-Ban
-
Article |
Aβ alters the connectivity of olfactory neurons in the absence of amyloid plaques in vivo
The amyloid beta peptide can aggregate into insoluble plaques, which may indicate the onset of Alzheimer's disease. In a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, Cao and colleagues report a phenotype of altered connectivity in the olfactory neuronal circuit that precedes amyloid plaque deposition.
- Luxiang Cao
- , Benjamin R. Schrank
- & Mark W. Albers
-
Article
| Open AccessDistant residues mediate picomolar binding affinity of a protein cofactor
Flavodoxin requires tight binding of its FMN cofactor to be active, but the residues involved are unknown. In this biophysical study, FMN binding is shown to change from nanomolar to picomolar affinity on extremely slow protein relaxation and the residues responsible for cofactor binding are identified.
- Yves J.M. Bollen
- , Adrie H. Westphal
- & Carlo P.M. van Mierlo
-
Article |
The critical size is set at a single-cell level by growth rate to attain homeostasis and adaptation
It is assumed that budding yeast need to reach a certain size before entering the cell cycle. Here, using imaging and a mathematical model, Ferrezueloet al.show that there is variability in the size of cells entering the cell cycle and this is controlled by growth rate in G1.
- Francisco Ferrezuelo
- , Neus Colomina
- & Martí Aldea
-
Article |
FOXO3 signalling links ATM to the p53 apoptotic pathway following DNA damage
The protein ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) detects DNA damage and can trigger cellular apoptosis, but how this process is regulated at the molecular level is unclear. Here, Chunget al. show that the transcription factor FOXO3 controls the formation of ATM-containing signalling complexes at sites of DNA damage that trigger apoptosis.
- Young Min Chung
- , See-Hyoung Park
- & Mickey C.-T. Hu
-
Article |
DNA replication timing and selection shape the landscape of nucleotide variation in cancer genomes
Cancer cells form by somatic mutations and natural selection, but how these factors affect tumorigenesis is not clear. Here, somatic mutations are characterized in human cancer genomes, revealing that DNA replication timing influences the frequency of single-nucleotide variants in different genomic regions.
- Yong H Woo
- & Wen-Hsiung Li
-
Article |
Mechanism of resilin elasticity
Resilin is a polymeric elastic protein that is important for the flight and jumping of insects. Here, the structure-function relationships ofDrosophilaresilin are investigated, and a mechanical model is proposed to account for its elasticity.
- Guokui Qin
- , Xiao Hu
- & David L. Kaplan
-
Article |
Evidence for activity-regulated hormone-binding cooperativity across glycoprotein hormone receptor homomers
Glycoprotein hormone receptors show negative cooperativity following a single molecule of agonist binding to each receptor dimer. Here, constitutively active receptors are shown to display less cooperative allosteric regulation, suggesting a direct relationship between conformational changes in the transmembrane domain and allosteric behaviour of the receptor dimers.
- Maxime Zoenen
- , Eneko Urizar
- & Sabine Costagliola
-
Article |
TREX exposes the RNA-binding domain of Nxf1 to enable mRNA export
The TREX complex and Nxf1 are involved in the export of mRNA from the nucleus but the precise molecular function of TREX is unclear. Here, the TREX components Aly and Thoc5 are shown to bind to Nxf1 resulting in a change in Nxf1 conformation that permits binding to mRNA and nuclear export.
- Nicolas Viphakone
- , Guillaume M. Hautbergue
- & Stuart A. Wilson
-
Article |
Dynamic histone marks in the hippocampus and cortex facilitate memory consolidation
Changes in gene expression in the hippocampus and the cortex are pivotal for memory consolidation. Gräff and colleagues use a recognition task in mice to show that epigenetic post-translational modifications are rapidly activated in the hippocampus after learning, but induced with a delay in the cortex.
- Johannes Gräff
- , Bisrat T. Woldemichael
- & Isabelle M. Mansuy
-
Article |
Controlled delivery of bioactive molecules into live cells using the bacterial mechanosensitive channel MscL
The bacterial channel protein MscL opens in response to mechanical forces and could be exploited for vesicular-based drug delivery. Doerneret al. show that functional MscL can be expressed in mammalian cells and facilitate the controlled cellular uptake of relatively large, membrane-impermeable bioactive molecules.
- Julia F. Doerner
- , Sebastien Febvay
- & David E. Clapham
-
Article
| Open AccessFoxP3+ regulatory CD4 T cells control the generation of functional CD8 memory
The role of CD4+ T cells in the generation of memory CD8+ T cells is not fully understood. In this study, the exposure of CD8 memory precursors to interleukin-2 during early antigen priming is shown to be controlled by FoxP3+ regulatory CD4+T cells, resulting in the production of functional memory cells.
- M.G. de Goër de Herve
- , S. Jaafoura
- & Y. Taoufik
-
Article
| Open AccessDistinct loops in arrestin differentially regulate ligand binding within the GPCR opsin
Following retinalcis/trans isomerisation, the active form of the G-protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin decays to opsin and all-trans-retinal. In this study, arrestin, a regulator of G-protein-coupled receptor activity, is shown to facilitate the concurrent sequestering of toxic all-trans-retinal and regeneration of 11-cis-retinal within the opsin population.
- Martha E. Sommer
- , Klaus Peter Hofmann
- & Martin Heck
-
Article |
Post-transcriptional spliceosomes are retained in nuclear speckles until splicing completion
It is unclear where in the nucleus splicing takes place and how much occurs post-transcriptionally. Using antibodies raised against a phosphorylated splicing factor, Girardet al. show that the majority of splicing occurs co-transcriptionally and that post-transcriptional splicing occurs in nuclear speckles.
- Cyrille Girard
- , Cindy L. Will
- & Reinhard Lührmann
-
Article
| Open AccessProteomic screen reveals Fbw7 as a modulator of the NF-κB pathway
Fbw7 is a ubiquitin-ligase, which targets several oncoproteins for proteolysis, and is therefore important for the control and prevention of tumorigenesis. In this study, Arabi and colleagues carry out a proteomic screen of the targets of Fbw7, and identify Nuclear Factor of κ-B2 as a substrate.
- Azadeh Arabi
- , Karim Ullah
- & Olle Sangfelt
-
Article |
Ubiquitination and degradation of the FADD adaptor protein regulate death receptor-mediated apoptosis and necroptosis
Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) is part of a signalling complex that controls some forms of programmed cell death. Lee and colleagues demonstrate that FADD ubiquitination by the E3 ubiquitin ligase MKRN1 regulates FADD protein stability and thereby cell death.
- Eun-Woo Lee
- , Jung-Hoon Kim
- & Jaewhan Song
-
Article
| Open AccessSocial networks reveal cultural behaviour in tool-using dolphins
Whether humans are the only animals with cultural behaviour remains an open question in behavioural research. Here, a network analysis of the social preferences among bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Australia finds that tool-using dolphins prefer others like themselves, suggesting the presence of cultural behaviour.
- Janet Mann
- , Margaret A. Stanton
- & Lisa O. Singh
-
Article |
Comprehensive interrogation of natural TALE DNA-binding modules and transcriptional repressor domains
The peptide sequence of transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) can be customized to tailor the binding of TALEs to specific DNA sequences. Conget al. improve TALE specificity for guanine binding and use a genetic construct based on TALEs to efficiently repress expression of a target gene.
- Le Cong
- , Ruhong Zhou
- & Feng Zhang
-
Article |
Gating of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels is voltage dependent
Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels are apparently voltage insensitive despite having the S4-type voltage sensor. Marchesiet al.show that the gating of wild-type CNGA1 and native CNG channels is voltage-independent in the presence of Li+, Na+ and K+, but that it is voltage-dependent in the presence of Rb+, Cs+ and organic cations.
- Arin Marchesi
- , Monica Mazzolini
- & Vincent Torre
-
Article
| Open AccessUnfolded protein response, activated by OASIS family transcription factors, promotes astrocyte differentiation
The protein OASIS belongs to the CREB/ATF transcription factor family and is involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress responses. Saito and colleagues show that these stress responses temporally activate OASIS in neural precursor cells, resulting in their differentiation into astrocytes.
- Atsushi Saito
- , Soshi Kanemoto
- & Kazunori Imaizumi
-
Article
| Open AccessThe role of heterodimerization between VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 in the regulation of endothelial cell homeostasis
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) assemble in dimers, the composition of which is thought to influence their function. Here, Cudmoreet al. create a synthetic ligand that specifically activates VEGFR-1:VEGFR-2 heterodimers and explore their role in regulating endothelial cell function.
- Melissa J. Cudmore
- , Peter W. Hewett
- & Asif Ahmed
-
Article
| Open AccessDiscordant timing between antennae disrupts sun compass orientation in migratory monarch butterflies
Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) use their antennae for orientation during their autumnal migration. Guerra and colleagues differentially disrupt clock gene expression in each antenna and find that the individual outputs are integrated and processed to allow precise control of orientation behaviour.
- Patrick A. Guerra
- , Christine Merlin
- & Steven M. Reppert
-
Article
| Open AccessEpidermal phospholipase Cδ1 regulates granulocyte counts and systemic interleukin-17 levels in mice
Phospholipase C is a signalling molecule with many cellular functions, but its physiological role at the organismal level is largely unknown. Kanemaruet al.show that phospholipase Cδ1 in the mouse epidermis influences interleukin and leukocyte concentrations in the blood.
- Kaori Kanemaru
- , Yoshikazu Nakamura
- & Kiyoko Fukami
-
Article
| Open AccessSwitching of myosin-V motion between the lever-arm swing and Brownian search-and-catch
The motor protein myosin-V transports cargo along actin filaments, but the biophysical mechanisms by which myosin-V generates force are unclear. Here, optical tweezers and a DNA handle are used to study the forces generated by myosin-V: the mechanism of force generation is found to depend on the load applied.
- Keisuke Fujita
- , Mitsuhiro Iwaki
- & Toshio Yanagida
-
Article |
Tumour lineage-homing cell-penetrating peptides as anticancer molecular delivery systems
Cell-penetrating peptides can be used to deliver nucleic acids and proteins to cells, however they lack selectivity. In this study, cell-penetrating peptides are generated that can selectively target tumour cells of different cellular origins and these may be useful in the treatment of cancer.
- Eisaku Kondo
- , Ken Saito
- & Masayuki Matsushita
Browse narrower subjects
- Biochemistry
- Biological techniques
- Biophysics
- Biotechnology
- Cancer
- Cell biology
- Chemical biology
- Computational biology and bioinformatics
- Developmental biology
- Drug discovery
- Ecology
- Evolution
- Genetics
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Molecular biology
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Plant sciences
- Psychology
- Stem cells
- Structural biology
- Systems biology
- Zoology