Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Caenorhabditis elegans larvae crawling amongst developing early embryos. The spinning-disc confocal microscopy image shows fluorescent fusions of the DNA-binding protein BAF (yellow, mCherry-tagged BAF in larvae) and the inner nuclear membrane protein LEM-2 (blue, mNeonGreen-tagged LEM-2 in embryos) expressed from the endogenous loci. See article by S. R. Barger et al. (jcs261385).
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
CELL SCIENTISTS TO WATCH
REVIEWS
30 years of nanobodies – an ongoing success story of small binders in biological research
Summary: In this Review we briefly summarize the basis for the development of nanobodies and provide an overview of the multiple applications of these versatile binders in biological research.
Cellular and molecular functions of SETD2 in the central nervous system
Summary: SETD2 catalyses trimethylation of lysine 36 on histone H3. Here, we review the roles of SETD2 in mammals, with a focus on the central nervous system, and summarise the consequences of pathogenic SETD2 variants in humans.
SHORT REPORT
Characterization of Pik1 function in fission yeast reveals its conserved role in lipid synthesis and not cytokinesis
Summary: Fission yeast Pik1 localizes exclusively to the trans-Golgi independently of Ncs1, where it contributes to PI4P but not PI(4,5)P2 synthesis. Pik1 does not affect cytokinesis.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Nuclear envelope assembly relies on CHMP-7 in the absence of BAF–LEM-mediated hole closure
Highlighted Article: In C. elegans, nuclear closure around spindle microtubules requires BAF-1 binding to LEM-domain proteins and reveals redundant and unique functions for EMR-1, LEM-2 and CHMP-7 in nuclear maintenance.
Palmitate-induced insulin resistance causes actin filament stiffness and GLUT4 mis-sorting without altered Akt signalling
Highlighted Article: Saturated fats elicit muscle cell-autonomous dysregulation of the basal-state machinery required for the GLUT4 translocation that ‘primes’ skeletal muscle cells for insulin resistance.
Separation-of-function MCPH-associated mutations in CPAP affect centriole number and length
Summary: Defects in centrosome organization (centriole number and length) are imparted by MCPH-associated mutations in the CPAP G-box domain, which impacts spindle organization and cell survival.
Centrosome amplification promotes cell invasion via cell–cell contact disruption and Rap-1 activation
Summary: Centrosome amplification is sufficient, without additional pro-oncogenic alterations, to drive early tumorigenic change in a normal breast epithelial background.
The SUN-like protein TgSLP1 is essential for nuclear division in the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii
Summary: Identification of a SUN-like protein in the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii that is essential for replication.
FIRST PERSON
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
PREPRINT HIGHLIGHTS
Call for papers: Cell Biology of Mitochondria
We are welcoming submissions for our upcoming special issue: Cell Biology of Mitochondria. This issue will be coordinated by two Guest Editors: Ana J. Garcia-Saez (University of Cologne, Germany) and Heidi McBride (McGill University, Canada). Submission deadline: 1 October 2024.
Focal adhesion kinase signalling – tumour vulnerabilities and clinical opportunities
In this Review, David Schlaepfer and colleagues summarise 30 years of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) research with a view of the ongoing clinical testing of small-molecule FAK inhibitors. The authors touch on how FAK plays an important signal integration role and ultimately functions to guide cellular behaviour. Additionally, the authors discuss how FAK inhibition might present a powerful tool to influence the physiological response to other therapeutic approaches.
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).
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.
Interview with Journal of Cell Science Editor Rob Parton
Read our interview with Rob Parton, a Cell Scientist to Watch, about his career journey leading him from the UK to the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, the evolution of the membrane trafficking field and his advice for running a highly collaborative lab. As a Journal of Cell Science Editor, Rob brings to the journal his expertise in multiscale analysis of membrane function, membrane microdomains, lipid droplets and advanced microscopy techniques in cell biology.