RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Plag1 and Plagl2 have overlapping and distinct functions in telencephalic development
Summary: Plag1 and Plagl2 are proto-oncogenes that have been studied extensively in cancer. Here we provide the first report of a role for these genes in the developing central nervous system.
- Effects of drought stress on photosynthesis and photosynthetic electron transport chain in young apple tree leaves
Summary: This research reports that drought-induced photosynthesis declines due to stomatal and non-stomatal limitation, which was PSII photoinhibition-dependent on D1 protein and over-reduces the electron transport chain.
- Assessment of high-fat-diet-induced fatty liver in medaka
Summary: Our medaka model allows for non-invasive and repetitive assessment and is useful in the analysis of fatty liver in which changes in detailed metabolites are identified.
- Differences in the morphology, physiology and gene expression of honey bee queens and workers reared in vitro versus in situ
Summary: We used in vitro-rearing methodology to investigate how differences in rearing conditions, including nutrition, affect the morphology, metabolic physiology and gene expression of honey bee queens and workers.
- PWP1 promotes nutrient-responsive expression of 5S ribosomal RNA
Summary: We report that a chromatin-binding protein PWP1 binds to 5S ribosomal DNA, regulates its epigenetic status and controls nutrient-dependent RNA polymerase III-mediated transcription of 5S ribosomal RNA.
- Characterization of spatial and temporal development of Type I and Type II hair cells in the mouse utricle using new cell-type-specific markers
Summary: Single cell RNAseq was used to identify new markers for specific hair cell in the mammalian utricle. With these new markers, the developmental timing of specific types of hair cells was examined.
- The effects of AICAR and rapamycin on mitochondrial function in immortalized mitochondrial DNA mutator murine embryonic fibroblasts
Summary: A novel mitochondrial DNA mutator murine embryonic fibroblast cell line was created and the effects of the anti-aging compounds rapamycin and AICAR on energy metabolism in these cells was determined.
- Long non-coding RNA PICSAR decreases adhesion and promotes migration of squamous carcinoma cells by downregulating α2β1 and α5β1 integrin expression
Summary: Long non-coding RNA PICSAR decreases adhesion and promotes migration of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating the expression of collagen and fibronectin binding α2β1 and α5β1 integrins.
- The mechanistic insight of a specific interaction between 15d-Prostaglandin-J2 and eIF4A suggests an evolutionary conserved role across species
Summary: The tail region of 15d-PGJ2 plays a important role in modulating the activity of eIF4A protein across species. This implies that the tail region of this prostaglandins can be adapted to design new drugs.
- Evolution and multiple origins of zona pellucida genes in vertebrates
Summary: Phylogenetic and synteny analyses indicate that the vertebrate zona pellucida (ZP) genes encoding egg coat proteins can be classified into eight subfamilies, and the evolutionary origins of these genes are discussed.
- Basal constriction during midbrain–hindbrain boundary morphogenesis is mediated by Wnt5b and focal adhesion kinase
Summary: Focal adhesion kinase acts downstream of Wnt5b to mediate basal constriction of neuroepithelial cells during the formation of the midbrain–hindbrain boundary.
- Retinoic acid-induced CYP51 nuclear translocation promotes meiosis prophase I process and is correlated to the expression of REC8 and STAG3 in mice
Summary: CYP51 displays cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation in germ cells in mice. CYP51 participates in germ cell meiotic progression and folliculogenesis via regulating the expression of cohesin REC8 and STAG3.
- Comparison of circulating metabolite concentrations in dogs and cats when allowed to freely choose macronutrient intake
Summary: Dogs and cats offered foods with different macronutrient composition, but equivalent palatability, have different circulating metabolite concentrations that reflect differences in species and food choices.
- Drosophila Ror is a nervous system-specific co-receptor for Wnt ligands
Summary: Drosophila Ror is a Wnt co-receptor expressed in the nervous system. A Ror null mutant allele is viable and shows genetic interaction with mutations in off-track and off-track2.
- The role of integrin β1 in the heterogeneity of human embryonic stem cells culture
Summary: The interaction between integrin β1 and the extracellular matrix differs at the centre of the colony and at the periphery, and is crucial for the survival of embryonic stem cells.
- Involvement of sulfated biopolymers in adhesive secretions produced by marine invertebrates
Summary: Sulfate groups borne by adhesive macromolecules play a role in attachment to underwater surfaces in marine invertebrates using non-permanent adhesion, but not in those using permanent or instantaneous adhesion.
- Characterisation of maturation of photoreceptor cell subtypes during zebrafish retinal development
Summary: We characterised subtype-specific growth of the different photoreceptor compartments, organelle distribution and the influence of light on the growth of the apical membrane.
METHODS & TECHNIQUES
- A sample preparation workflow for adipose tissue shotgun proteomics and proteogenomics
Summary: Proteins that are compatible with shotgun proteomics can be isolated from small amounts of adipose tissue at the same time as RNA, facilitating proteogenomics studies in non-model animals.
- DARPins recognizing mTFP1 as novel reagents for in vitro and in vivo protein manipulations
Summary: Structural characterization of two novel DARPins (designed ankyrin repeat proteins) recognizing the monomeric teal fluorescent protein 1 (mTFP1) and their functionalization for protein manipulation strategies in cultured cells and potentially in living organisms.
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.