Issues

Summary: We discuss recently discovered links between the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway and selective autophagy of viruses and mitochondria. Potential implications of these findings in FA pathophysiology are examined.

Summary: Members of the p53 protein family have important roles in quality control processes within germ cells. We discuss these roles, in particular that of p63 and its molecular control mechanisms.

Summary: Cdc14 is not the main Cdk-counteracting phosphatase during mitotic exit in budding yeast, consistent with other species. Hence, phosphatase control of mitotic exit may be more widely conserved than previously thought.

Highlighted Article: Clathrin-dependent and clathrin-independent endocytosis are similarly affected by the presence of different sterols. To support endocytosis, sterols need to be able to promote formation of lipid rafts and possess a 3β-OH group.

Highlighted Article: The cytoplasmic motor protein nonmuscle myosin IIB is essential for epicardial development. This function of nonmuscle myosin IIB is critical in the regulation of myocardial proliferation and coronary vessel formation.

Summary: SNX12 acts as a bridge between the endocytic and retrograde pathways. There are different early endosomal subpopulations that play a differential role in sorting of the degradative cargoes.

Highlighted Article: CYB-1 is the major B-type cyclin expressed in the proximal region of Caenorhabditis elegans male gonads. The CYB-1–CDK-1 complex maintains proper centrosome position and number during spermatogenesis, possibly by regulating phosphorylation of SUN-1.

Summary: The cellular prion protein (PrP^C) controls neuronal Ca²⁺ entry through ionotropic glutamate receptors and attenuates the process of Ca²⁺-induced Ca²⁺ release (CICR), which in turn limits mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake.

Summary: Polyphosphate is a prime candidate for the compound that serves as a donor for the formation of extracellular ‘high-energy’ bonds during the formation of extracellular ATP and ADP, and hence can act as a metabolic fuel.

Highlighted Article: Plasma membrane recruitment of full-length Akt2 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes displays both polarity and oscillations in membrane association following insulin stimuli, as revealed by using an improved Akt2–TagRFP-T fusion protein.