Issues

Summary: Key recent advances in our understanding of crinophagy – the direct fusion of secretory granules with lysosomes – and related degradation pathways are discussed, including potential links to disease.

Summary: Talin is a key protein controlling integrin-dependent cell–matrix adhesions. Here, we summarize its function in linking mechanical coupling to the actin cytoskeleton and adhesion signaling.

Summary: Calcineurin phosphatase participates in regulation of the centrosome and cilia. Calcineurin localizes to centrioles, where it interacts with POC5, and inhibition of calcineurin promotes elongation of cilia.

Summary: Live-cell imaging reveals that DNA-dependent protein kinase, but not ATM, plays a primary role in the phosphorylation of histone H2AX during the immediate early response to DNA damages.

Highlighted Article: Using a bio-probe, we show that Rho1 is activated in late cytokinesis, just prior to septum ingression in fission yeast. We find that Cdc42 prevents premature Rho1 activation during early cytokinesis.

Highlighted Article: In this biochemical study, we show that talin and kindlin cooperate to mediate the formation of large integrin clusters. In this process, kindlin imposes protein density and promotes integrin–talin–actomyosin coupling.

Summary: Although cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, such as streptolysin O, are resisted primarily by MEK-dependent shedding, the small pore-forming toxin aerolysin is resisted by Ca²⁺-dependent patch repair.

Summary: SLC25A46 loss of functions mutations underlies a number of neurological syndromes; we propose that SLC25A46 promotes mitochondrial fission and mediates resistance to lipotoxic stress in insulin-secreting cells.

Highlighted Article: We reveal new insights into the transcriptional specialization of myotendinous junction myonuclei and their association with protein expression in healthy human muscle–tendon tissue.

Summary: New tools and resources are available for generating tight two-gene on–off switches in mammalian cells.