Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: The heart image is made up of single cardiomyocytes either immunostained for RyR2 (blue) and InsP3R2 (yellow) Ca2+ release channels or that are expressing a GCaMP6f–triadin Ca2+ fluorescent biosensor (cyan). GCaMP6f–triadin is localized to dyadic sites of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release where it is employed to detect effects of InsP3 on Ca2+ dynamics. Guillaume Gilbert is acknowledged for assistance with generation of the image. See article by K. Demydenko et al. (jcs258671).
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
FIRST PERSON
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
OPINION
From tip to toe – dressing centrioles in γTuRC
Summary: The role of centrosomal γ-tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) is generally believed to be the nucleation of cytoplasmic microtubules. However, it also functions in centriole biogenesis, centriole structural integrity and ciliogenesis.
REVIEW
Molecular insight into how γ-TuRC makes microtubules
Summary: Research in recent years has afforded important insight into how microtubules are made in the cell and provides a basis for an exciting era in the cytoskeleton field.
SHORT REPORTS
APC/CFZR-1 regulates centrosomal ZYG-1 to limit centrosome number
Summary: APC/CFZR-1-dependent regulation influences centrosomal ZYG-1 in C. elegans, which is critical for centrosome number homeostasis.
Cyclic AMP is dispensable for allorecognition in Dictyostelium cells overexpressing PKA-C
Summary: cAMP is essential for almost every stage in Dictyostelium development, but, surprisingly, it is dispensable for allorecognition and tissue formation.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Three-dimensional geometry controls division symmetry in stem cell colonies
Summary: Mouse embryonic stem cells display asymmetric divisions in 3D colonies, with cell–cell junctions and cell geometry acting as key regulators of division symmetry.
Divergent estimates of the ratio between Na+-Ca2+ current densities in t-tubular and surface membranes of rat ventricular cardiomyocytes
Summary: Identification of the main sources of divergence among published estimates of the ratio of t-tubular to surface membrane Na+-Ca2+ exchange current densities in adult rat cardiomyocytes.
Condensation of pericentrin proteins in human cells illuminates phase separation in centrosome assembly
Summary:In situ-tagged PCNT condenses into dynamic granules, and its coiled-coil-rich regions phase separate into centrosome-like condensates in human cells, shedding new light on centrosome assembly.
DNA binding alters ARv7 dimer interactions
Summary: DNA binding disrupts the interaction between the N and C termini of full-length androgen receptor and its splice variant.
mRNA distribution in skeletal muscle is associated with mRNA size
Summary: Skeletal muscle cells are multinucleated fibers that express some of the biggest mammalian proteins. We report that mRNA length contributes to mRNA distribution and that microtubules are involved in mRNA spreading.
Multiple pools of PP2A regulate spindle assembly, kinetochore attachments and cohesion in Drosophila oocytes
Summary: Oocyte chromosomes direct meiotic spindle assembly. PP2A is important for this process, regulating microtubule stability, sister chromatid cohesion, microtubule attachments and metaphase I arrest.
Genetic compensation for cilia defects in cep290 mutants by upregulation of cilia-associated small GTPases
Highlighted Article: The impact of a ciliopathy gene mutation depends on cell type, and can be compensated for by expression of other genes that function in the same cilia membrane protein delivery pathway.
Fibroblastic reticular cell response to dendritic cells requires coordinated activity of podoplanin, CD44 and CD9
Summary: There is a multi-faceted response of lymph node fibroblasts to dendritic cells in an adaptive immune reaction, which requires the coordinated activity of partner proteins podoplanin, CD44 and CD9.
Ca2+ release via InsP3Rs enhances RyR recruitment during Ca2+ transients by increasing dyadic [Ca2+] in cardiomyocytes
Summary: Using a targeted Ca2+ reporter, signaling from dyadic InsP3Rs to colocated RyR channels is shown to augment sarcoplasmic Ca2+ release during excitation–contraction coupling in cardiomyocytes.
Structural variability and dynamics in the ectodomain of an ancestral-type classical cadherin revealed by AFM imaging
Summary: Atomic force microscopy imaging reveals that the ectodomain of an ancestral-type classical cadherin has a flexibly bendable strand-like portion responsible for homophilic adhesion.
me31B regulates stem cell homeostasis by preventing excess dedifferentiation in the Drosophila male germline
Highlighted Article:me31B is identified as a negative regulator of dedifferentiation from spermatogonia to germline stem cells in the Drosophila testis via its ability to downregulate nos expression.
Ana1 helps recruit Polo to centrioles to promote mitotic PCM assembly and centriole elongation
Summary: The C-terminus of Ana1 helps recruit Polo kinase to centrioles. This is key for efficient PCM assembly and centriole elongation, and independent from other roles of Ana1 in centriole maturation.
Loss of acentriolar MTOCs disrupts spindle pole Aurora A and assembly of the liquid-like meiotic spindle domain in oocytes
Summary: PCNT-depleted oocytes lack Aurora A at spindle pole aMTOCs and fail to assemble the liquid-like spindle domain, a critical reservoir of microtubule regulatory factors, leading to meiotic spindle instability.
JIP4 is recruited by the phosphoinositide-binding protein Phafin2 to promote recycling tubules on macropinosomes
Summary: The motor adaptor JIP4 is recruited to macropinosomes by the PtdIns3P-binding protein Phafin2 to promote recycling to the plasma membrane via tubular extensions of macropinosomes.
Twinfilin1 controls lamellipodial protrusive activity and actin turnover during vertebrate gastrulation
Highlighted Article:In vivo studies of Twinfilin1 provide new links between the core machinery of actin regulation and specialized cell behaviors of embryonic morphogenesis.
Call for papers - Cilia and Flagella: from Basic Biology to Disease
We are welcoming submissions for our upcoming special issue: Cilia and Flagella: from Basic Biology to Disease. This issue will be coordinated by two Guest Editors: Pleasantine Mill (University of Edinburgh) and Lotte Pedersen (University of Copenhagen). Submission deadline: 1 March 2025.
Biologists @ 100 - join us in Liverpool in March 2025
We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the Spring Meetings of the BSCB and the BSDB, the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and a DMM programme on antimicrobial resistance. Find out more and register your interest to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK.
Principles and regulation of mechanosensing
Mechanics play a fundamental role in cell physiology and represent physical mechanisms which cells use to influence function from the molecular to tissue scale. In this Review, Stefano Sala and colleagues clearly define mechanosensing and mechanotransduction, illustrate various mechanosensing mechanisms and discuss methods that cells use to regulate these processes.
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 2024 applications: 7 September (decision by week commencing 8 October 2024); 22 November (decision by week commencing 16 December).
HIV-1 assembly – when virology meets biophysics
Claire Lacouture and colleagues review mechanisms of assembly of the HIV-1 structural protein Gag from biophysical and biological perspectives. The researchers highlight how HIV-1 Gag hijacks host cell factors associated with cortical actin machinery to make new viral particles.