Normal murine dermal fibroblasts implanted into the muscles of the mdx mouse, a model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, not only participate in new myofibre formation but also direct the expression of the protein dystrophin which is deficient in these mice. We have reported that the lectin galectin-1 is implicated in the conversion of dermal fibroblasts to muscle. In the current work we confirm the presence of galectin-1 in the medium used for conversion. Furthermore we report that exposure of clones of dermal fibroblasts to this lectin results in 100% conversion of the cells. Conversion was assessed by the expression within the cells of the muscle-specific cytoskeletal protein desmin. We also investigate the effects of galectin-1 on cells of the C2C12 mouse myogenic cell line and on primary mouse myoblasts. Exposing both transformed and primary myoblasts to the lectin resulted in an increase in fusion of cells to the terminally differentiated state in both types of cultures. Galectin-1 does not cause the myogenic conversion of murine muscle-derived fibroblasts.
Interviews with Biologists @ 100 conference speakers
Explore our interviews with keynote speakers from the Biologists @ 100 conference, hosted to celebrate our publisher’s 100th anniversary, where we discuss climate change and biodiversity with Hans-Otto Pörtner and Jane Francis, health and disease with Charles Swanton and Sadaf Farooqi, and emerging technologies with Manu Prakash and Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz.
Introducing our new Associate Editors
In this Editorial, JCS Editor-in-Chief Michael Way welcomes five new Associate Editors to the JCS team. These Associate Editors will expand our support for the wider cell biology community and handle articles in immune cell biology, proteostasis, imaging and image analysis, plant cell biology, and stem cell biology and modelling.
The spatial choreography of mRNA biosynthesis
In their Review, André Ventura-Gomes and Maria Carmo-Fonseca detail the latest research progress and technological advancements that are helping to unlock how nuclear organisation underpins control of gene transcription and pre-mRNA splicing.
JCS-FocalPlane Training Grants
Early-career researchers - working in an area covered by JCS - who would like to attend a microscopy training course, please apply. Deadline dates for 2025 applications: 6 June 2025 (decision by week commencing 28 July 2025) and 5 September 2025 (decision by week commencing 20 October 2025).
The emerging roles of the endoplasmic reticulum in mechanosensing and mechanotransduction
In their Review, Jonathan Townson and Cinzia Progida highlight recently emerging evidence for a role of the endoplasmic reticulum in enabling a cell to sense and respond to changes in the extracellular mechanical environment.
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