Extracellular matrix
- Cell tracking in vitro reveals that the extracellular matrix glycoprotein Tenascin-C modulates cell cycle length and differentiation in neural stem/progenitor cells of the developing mouse spinal cord
Summary: We have shown, using digital video microscopy based cell lineage tracing, that the glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix tenascin-C modulates growth factor responsiveness and cell cycle length of embryonic spinal cord progenitor cells in vitro.
- Biosynthesis and assembly of the Collagen IV-like protein Pericardin in Drosophila melanogaster
Summary: We identified two new pericardin alleles. Both mutants could be rescued with a genomic duplication of a fosmid coding for the pericardin locus. Biochemical analysis revealed that Pericardin is highly glycosylated and forms redox-dependent multimers.
- Autophagy promotes degradation of internalized collagen and regulates distribution of focal adhesions to suppress cell adhesion
Summary: Autophagosomes localized close to internalized collagen and focal adhesions. In autophagy-deficient cells, internalized collagen and focal adhesion were increased, focal adhesion kinase signaling was impaired, and cell adhesion was enhanced.
- 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.
- 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.
- Architectural delineation and molecular identification of extracellular matrix in ascidian embryos and larvae
Summary: This study reveals the architecture, molecular composition and dynamic expression profile of the extracellular matrix in ascidian embryos and larvae, providing clues for its function in chordate development.
- A reporter mouse model for in vivo tracing and in vitro molecular studies of melanocytic lineage cells and their diseases
Summary: A reporter mouse to trace melanocytic lineage cells was generated by breeding existing mouse lines. Methods were also developed to characterize the proliferation and motility of primary mouse melanocytes.
- Morphological diversity of blastula formation and gastrulation in temnopleurid sea urchins
Summary: Closely related temnopleurid sea urchins exhibit diversity in blastula formation and gastrulation during early morphogenesis.
- Eyes shut homolog is required for maintaining the ciliary pocket and survival of photoreceptors in zebrafish
Summary: The extracellular matrix protein Eyes shut homolog is required for maintaining the integrity of the ciliary pocket and survival of photoreceptors in zebrafish.
- The initiator methionine tRNA drives cell migration and invasion leading to increased metastatic potential in melanoma
Summary: This paper demonstrates a functional link between a cancer-associated alteration to the tRNA repertoire and the invasive behaviour of cancer cells by demonstrating that increased tRNAimet can drive invasion and metastasis in melanoma cells.