Issues
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Cover image
Cover Image
Cover: Expansion microscopy image of four Toxoplasma gondii parasites in which the apical polar ring (green, anti-GFP labelling mEmerald-APR2) and tubulin-containing cytoskeleton (magenta, anti-tubulin) are highlighted. The opposing pairs of parasites are in different stages of daughter formation. Daughters are not yet initiated in the top pair of parasites. The bottom pair of parasites each contain two early daughters in which the cortical microtubules are grouped in petals. See article by L. F. Arias Padilla, J. Munera Lopez et al. (jcs263436).
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RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
CELL SCIENCE AT A GLANCE
Erythroblast enucleation at a glance
Summary: We overview recent insights into the diverse cellular mechanisms underlying erythroblast enucleation, which is the unique process by which mammalian red blood cells eliminate their nuclei.
REVIEW
HIV-1 assembly – when virology meets biophysics
Summary: We review mechanisms of assembly of the HIV-1 structural protein Gag from biophysical and biological perspectives, highlighting the requirement for host cell factors in viral particle assembly and budding.
SHORT REPORT
Antagonistic roles of tau and MAP6 in regulating neuronal development
Highlighted Article: Tau and MAP6 play antagonistic roles in regulating multiple aspects of neuronal development, presumably via their antagonistic effects on microtubule dynamics.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
The Scribble–SGEF–Dlg1 complex regulates E-cadherin and ZO-1 stability, turnover and transcription in epithelial cells
Highlighted Article: The RhoG GEF SGEF regulates the stability, turnover and transcription of E-cadherin and ZO-1 in epithelial cells in a process that involves endocytosis, β-catenin signaling and the transcriptional repressor Slug.
Intracellular lipid droplets are exploited by Junín virus in a nucleoprotein-dependent process
Summary: Lipid droplet number is reduced in cultures infected with Junín virus and in cells expressing only the viral nucleoprotein. Mechanistically, lipophagy is involved in LD virus-driven reduction, with the resulting fatty acids being substrates of fatty acid β-oxidation.
The interplay of serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors in chronic stress
Summary: There is a decreased level of 5-HT1AR–5-HT7R heterodimerization in the prefrontal cortex of anhedonic mice, suggesting that heterodimerization has a role in development of stress resiliency.
NaV1.1 contributes to the cell cycle of human mesenchymal stem cells by regulating AKT and CDK2
Summary: NaV1.1, encoded by SCN1A, plays an important role in DNA replication during the S phase of the cell cycle of mesenchymal stem cells by regulating AKT and CDK2.
Characterizing human KIF1Bβ motor activity by single-molecule motility assays and Caenorhabditis elegans genetics
Summary: Development of a method to measure KIF1Bβ activity and detect disease abnormalities using C. elegans genetics and single-molecule analysis.
The FHA domain is essential for autoinhibition of KIF1A/UNC-104 proteins
Highlighted Article: Analysis of the biochemical properties of the Drosophila kinesin protein UNC-104 reveals mutations that promote dimerization of UNC-104, implicating the function of the FHA domain in kinesin autoinhibition.
The initiation and early development of apical–basal polarity in Toxoplasma gondii
Highlighted Article: The cellular polarity of Toxoplasma is established very early. Arc forms of the apical polar ring and basal complex co-develop at opposite ends of the newly nucleated microtubules towards the centriole region.
FIRST PERSON
PREPRINT HIGHLIGHTS
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.