February 2010 Volume 11 Number 2, pp 73 - 139
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=========================== ADVERTISEMENT ===========================
The Middle & The End
This 2009 EMBO Journal review series focuses on different facets of centromere
and telomere biology. Nine review articles summarize our current understanding
of various aspects of chromosome biology, especiallyin the light of recent
advances, demonstrating parallels as well as differences in the function and
organization of centers and ends.
Focus on Telomeres and Centromeres in full
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UPFRONT
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EDITORIAL
Race to the top
Howy Jacobs discusses the lack of non-white students and researchers in molecular biology in Europe and how to ensure that a career in biology appeals to all Europeans.Howy Jacobs discusses the lack of non-white students and researchers in molecular biology in Europe and how to ensure that a career in biology appeals to all Europeans.
Howy Jacobs
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.280
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MEETING POINT
Sisters dancing in meiosis
The EMBO Conference on Meiosis held last September highlighted the dynamic aspects of this process, including the variability of hotspots for break formation, switches between partners during repair, and the dynamics of sister chromatid cohesion.
Willy M. Baarends and Raphael Mercier
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.277
http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=33&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
The reverse logic of multivesicular endosomes
The conference on ‘Endocytic machineries in control of cell signaling and tissue morphogenesis’ held last October highlighted advances in our understanding of endocytic trafficking. A centerpiece was the amazing plasticity and sorting options of the maturing late endosome compartment.
Linton M. Traub
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.281
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OPINION
Perfect time or perfect crime?
Do we need to be afraid of synthetic biology? Not yet, Antoine Danchin argues: we still need more knowledge before we are able to reconstruct life.Do we need to be afraid of synthetic biology? Not yet, Antoine Danchin argues: we still need more knowledge before we are able to reconstruct life.
Antoine Danchin
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.275
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Gene therapy: back on track?
Fulvio Mavilio assesses the current state of affairs of gene therapy and how over-regulation might be stifling its progress and, thus, patient access to novel therapies.Fulvio Mavilio assesses the current state of affairs of gene therapy and how over-regulation might be stifling its progress and, thus, patient access to novel therapies.
Fulvio Mavilio
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.284
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SCIENCE & SOCIETY
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OUTLOOK
Striking a balance
Sharon Long, a plant scientists who advised Barack Obama during his presidential election campaign, talks about green biotechnology and the role of scientists in political decision-making.Sharon Long, a plant scientists who advised Barack Obama during his presidential election campaign, talks about green biotechnology and the role of scientists in political decision-making.
Holger Breithaupt and Samuel Caddick
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.285
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System crash
Laurent Segalat draws worrying parallels between the causes of the recent crash of the global financial system and current developments in academic science.Laurent Segalat draws worrying parallels between the causes of the recent crash of the global financial system and current developments in academic science.
Laurent Segalat
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.278
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FEATURE
Hitting the right spot
Philip Hunter explores how recent technological and conceptual developments are helping clinicians improve the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy against obstinate cancers.Philip Hunter explores how recent technological and conceptual developments are helping clinicians improve the efficacy and safety of radiotherapy against obstinate cancers.
Philip Hunter
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.286
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Lost in translation
The public increasingly expect that the research they pay for will produce tangible results. The resultant emphasis on translational research may come at the expense of funding for basic research, which continues to worry many scientists.The public increasingly expect that the research they pay for will produce tangible results. The resultant emphasis on translational research may come at the expense of funding for basic research, which continues to worry many scientists.
Kristen Minogue and Howard Wolinsky
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.282
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REVIEWS
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REVIEW
Integrin-TGF-[beta] crosstalk in fibrosis, cancer and wound healing
There is increasing evidence of a crosstalk between integrins and TGF-[beta] signaling in normal physiology and numerous pathological processes, including systemic sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Margadant and Sonnenberg explore this crosstalk and asses the possibility of targeting integrins to interfere with TGF-[beta] signalling as a new option for the treatment of these diseases.There is increasing evidence of a crosstalk between integrins and TGF-[beta] signaling in normal physiology and numerous pathological processes, including systemic sclerosis, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer. Margadant and Sonnenberg explore this crosstalk and asses the possibility of targeting integrins to interfere with TGF-[beta] signalling as a new option for the treatment of these diseases.
Coert Margadant and Arnoud Sonnenberg
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.276
Abstract: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=11&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Article: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=12&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
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SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
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Polyadenylation and degradation of incomplete RNA polymerase I transcripts in mammalian cells
Pestov and colleagues demonstrate that polyadenylation acts as a surveillance mechanism for aberrant RNA Polymerase I transcripts in mammals and find a role for the noncanonical poly(A) polymerase PAPD5 and the exosome in this process. The authors also show that polyadenylated truncated pre-rRNA species accumulate when cells are treated with low doses of actinomycin D, thus revealing a previously unknown property of a drug commonly utilized to block rRNA synthesis.Pestov and colleagues demonstrate that polyadenylation acts as a surveillance mechanism for aberrant RNA Polymerase I transcripts in mammals and find a role for the noncanonical poly(A) polymerase PAPD5 and the exosome in this process. The authors also show that polyadenylated truncated pre-rRNA species accumulate when cells are treated with low doses of actinomycin D, thus revealing a previously unknown property of a drug commonly utilized to block rRNA synthesis.
Natalia Shcherbik, Minshi Wang, Yevgeniya R Lapik, Leena Srivastava & Dimitri G Pestov
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.271
Abstract: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=2&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Article: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=6&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Hairpin RNA induces secondary small interfering RNA synthesis and silencing in trans in fission yeast
Allshire and colleagues demonstrate that transitivity occurs in fission yeast. Their study implies that RDRPRdp1 can synthesize RNA from targeted RNA templates in vivo, generating secondary siRNAs not homologous a hairpin trigger.Allshire and colleagues demonstrate that transitivity occurs in fission yeast. Their study implies that RDRPRdp1 can synthesize RNA from targeted RNA templates in vivo, generating secondary siRNAs not homologous a hairpin trigger.
Femke Simmer, Alessia Buscaino, Isabelle C Kos-Braun, Alexander Kagansky, Abdelhalim Boukaba, Takeshi Urano, Alastair R W Kerr & Robin C Allshire
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.273
Abstract: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=7&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Article: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=68&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Transfer-messenger RNA controls the translation of cell-cycle and stress proteins in Streptomyces
The van Wezel group shows that the translation of some mRNAs, encoding stress and cell cycle control proteins, is dependant on tmRNA, though transcription is unaffected. Their data unveil a surprisingly dedicated functionality for tmRNA: promoting the translation of the mRNA that it targets at the expense of sacrificing the first nascent protein.The van Wezel group shows that the translation of some mRNAs, encoding stress and cell cycle control proteins, is dependant on tmRNA, though transcription is unaffected. Their data unveil a surprisingly dedicated functionality for tmRNA: promoting the translation of the mRNA that it targets at the expense of sacrificing the first nascent protein.
Sharief Barends, Martin Zehl, Sylwia Bialek, Ellen de Waal, Bjørn A Traag, Joost Willemse, Ole Nørregaard Jensen, Erik Vijgenboom & Gilles P van Wezel
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.255
Abstract: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=66&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Article: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=67&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Regulation of antigen-receptor gene assembly in hagfish
Nagawa and colleagues demonstrate that VLR gene assembly in agnathans occurs mainly in a monoallelic manner and is achieved through feedback inhibition by a functional VLR. Yet, in some cases the authors found diallelic assembly to have taken place. In many of such cases, one allele was functional whereas the other was defective.Nagawa and colleagues demonstrate that VLR gene assembly in agnathans occurs mainly in a monoallelic manner and is achieved through feedback inhibition by a functional VLR. Yet, in some cases the authors found diallelic assembly to have taken place. In many of such cases, one allele was functional whereas the other was defective.
Natsuko Kishishita, Tatsuya Matsuno, Yoshimasa Takahashi, Hiroyuki Takaba, Hirofumi Nishizumi & Fumikiyo Nagawa
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.274
Abstract: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=63&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Article: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=61&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Mitochondrial dynamics regulate the RIG-I-like receptor antiviral pathway
Castanier and colleagues report that mitochondrial dynamics play a role in innate anti-viral immunity by regulating the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR)/MAVS pathway. The authors show that RLR activation promotes elongation of mitochondria, which enhances signalling downstream of MAVS and favours the binding of MAVS to STING, an ER protein involved in the RLR pathway. Their finding that MAVS associates with Mfn1, a protein of the mitochondrial fusion machinery, suggests that MAVS regulates mitochondrial dynamics to facilitate the mitochondria/ER association required for signal transduction.Castanier and colleagues report that mitochondrial dynamics play a role in innate anti-viral immunity by regulating the RIG-I-like receptor (RLR)/MAVS pathway. The authors show that RLR activation promotes elongation of mitochondria, which enhances signalling downstream of MAVS and favours the binding of MAVS to STING, an ER protein involved in the RLR pathway. Their finding that MAVS associates with Mfn1, a protein of the mitochondrial fusion machinery, suggests that MAVS regulates mitochondrial dynamics to facilitate the mitochondria/ER association required for signal transduction.
Celine Castanier, Dominique Garcin, Aime Vazquez and Damien Arnoult
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.258
Abstract: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=58&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
Article: http://links.ealert.nature.com/ctt?kn=57&m=34595109&r=MTc2MDI0MTQ4MQS2&b=2&j=NjY0NDgwNDcS1&mt=1&rt=0
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CORRECTIONS
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CORRIGENDUM
Me, myself and I. The genetics and molecular biology behind self-incompatibility and the avoidance of inbreeding in plants
Philip Hunter
doi:10.1038/embor.2009.287
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