PUBLISHER'S NOTE
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Ubiquitination of basal VEGFR2 regulates signal transduction and endothelial function
Summary: Ubiquitin-mediated modulation of membrane trafficking and turnover of an endothelial receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR2) thus regulates proteolysis, receptor activation, signal transduction and downstream cellular responses. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper as part of the supplementary information.
- Blocking autophagy enhances the pro-apoptotic effect of bufalin on human gastric cancer cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress
Summary: Bufalin suppressed human gastric cancer cells and induced apoptosis. The mechanism was related to ER stress formation via the IRE1-JNK pathway. Blocking autophagy exacerbated bufalin-induced apoptosis.
- An immunofluorescence assay for extracellular matrix components highlights the role of epithelial cells in producing a stable, fibrillar extracellular matrix
Summary: Using an immunofluorescence extracellular matrix, we show that epithelial cells can deposit extracellular matrix components in a comparable manner to fibroblasts highlighting their role as potential targets in fibrotic disease.
- An AMPK-dependent regulatory pathway in tau-mediated toxicity
Summary: Dissection of the impact of AMPK and autophagy on tau-mediated toxicity by using an in vivo Drosophila tool as readout to perform preliminary drug screening supported by quantitative analyses.
- HCN4 ion channel function is required for early events that regulate anatomical left-right patterning in a nodal and lefty asymmetric gene expression-independent manner
Summary: We identify a novel, developmental role for HCN4 channels and reveal a new Nodal-Lefty-Pitx2-independent, non-canonical mechanism upstream of organ positioning during embryonic left-right patterning. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper as part of the supplementary information.
- SERCA directs cell migration and branching across species and germ layers
Summary: Dynamic imaging of living embryos demonstrates that SERCA is a conserved regulator that controls cell migration and branching across species and germ layers, and PKC activation can rescue SERCA inhibition. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper as part of the supplementary information.
- Tbx1 and Jag1 act in concert to modulate the fate of neurosensory cells of the mouse otic vesicle
Summary: Normal dosages of Tbx1 and Jag1 are required to maintain a proper balance of cell types within the neurosensory domain of the otic vesicle to form the inner ear.
- Molecular regulation of high muscle mass in developing Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle foetuses
Summary: We explored the molecular basis of high muscle mass in Blonde d’Aquitaine cattle, and found that mRNA encoding slow fibres and mitochondrial proteins were downregulated in this breed.
- How does oestradiol influence the AVT/IT system in female round gobies during different reproductive phases?
Summary: This in vitro gradient perfusion study presents a presumable mechanism of 17β-oestradiol action on the AVT/IT system in the female round goby during different phases of the reproductive cycle.
- CLASP1 regulates endothelial cell branching morphology and directed migration
Summary: CLASP1 modulates microtubule dynamics with sub-cellular specificity in response to extracellular matrix density and composition. CLASP1 effects on microtubules promote short, branched protrusions that guide persistent and directional EC migration. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper as part of the supplementary information.
- Influence of a GSK3β phosphorylation site within the proximal C-terminus of Neurofilament-H on neurofilament dynamics
Summary: We demonstrate that phosphorylation of a critical site regulates neurofilament transport, proteolysis and interaction with other axonal cytoskeletal elements, and present evidence that it does so by altering protein conformation. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper as part of the supplementary information.
- Vestigial-like 3 is a novel Ets1 interacting partner and regulates trigeminal nerve formation and cranial neural crest migration
Summary: Here, we provide the first description of Vgll3 function during vertebrate development. Vgll3 is a new partner of Ets1 and regulates trigeminal nerve formation and cranial neural crest cell migration.
- Forces to pierce cuticle of tarsi and material properties determined by nanoindentation: The Achilles’ heel of bed bugs
Summary: Mechanical properties were measured for bed bug cuticle of the tarsi to evaluate physical plant defenses and to inform the development of novel biomimetic physical insecticides.
- The terminal nerve plays a prominent role in GnRH-1 neuronal migration independent from proper olfactory and vomeronasal connections to the olfactory bulbs
Summary: Our work reveals that correct olfactory bulb development is not required for GnRH-1 neuronal migration. This study challenges the idea that GnRH-1 neuronal migration to the hypothalamus relies on correct routing of the olfactory and vomeronasal neurons and supports the existence of the TN in mammals.
- Grazing limits natural biological controls of woody encroachment in Inner Mongolia Steppe
Summary: Grazing can negatively affect herbivorous insects and parasitic plants on woody plants, and thus limit the effectiveness of their natural biological control effects on woody encroachment.
METHODS & TECHNIQUES
- Quantitative analysis of mechanical force required for cell extrusion in zebrafish embryonic epithelia
Summary: In this study a novel in vivo force quantification system was developed, which succeeded in estimating the magnitude of force required for extrusion of a dying cell from zebrafish embryonic epithelia.
This issue
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
Biology Open and COVID-19
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on researchers worldwide. The Editors of all The Company of Biologists’ journals have been considering ways in which we can alleviate concerns that members of our community may have around publishing activities during this time. Read about the actions we are taking at this time.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Editorial Office if you have any questions or concerns.
Interview – Savant Thakur
Savant Thakur was a Ph.D. student in Professor Gordon S. Lynch’s lab (The University of Melbourne) working towards understanding the mechanisms of defective muscle repair in muscle diseases and wasting disorders. Sadly, Savant passed away on June 16, 2019 and so one of his supervisors, Professor Lynch, spoke to BiO about Savant's work and character.
A day in the life of a returning spider lab
Back in 2016, two PhD students in Alistair McGregor’s lab at Oxford Brookes shared a day in the life of a spider lab on the Node. Four years and one pandemic later, we caught up with Alistair to find out how his lab has responded to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.