These short, accessible highlights summarize and contextualize must-read papers related to cell signaling. These articles add background and context to summaries of primary research. 'In brief' articles emphasize key aspects of selected articles.
 | Calcium: An effective get-together
The ER transmembrane protein STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule-1) assembles and opens the ORAI1 tetrameric ion channel.
Original research paper: Nature 456, 116-120 (2008) |
 | Lipid metabolism: Treasure hunt in fat
The adipose tissue-derived hormone palmitoleate enhances insulin signaling in muscle cell lines by inducing insulin-stimulated AKT phosphorylation, and suppresses inflammatory alterations in adipose tissue.
Original research paper: Cell 134, 933-944 (2008) |
 | In brief: November 2008
Cell polarity | Protein degradation | Tumour immunology | Cell cycle | Signalling | Functional genomics | Gene expression | Feeding behaviour | Development | Neuroimmunology | Cancer | Chemical biology |
 | Tumorigenesis: Keeping a watchful eye
Loss of IKKα (inhibitor of nuclear factor κB kinase-α) upregulates EGFR signaling and contributes to the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
Original research paper: Cancer Cell 14, 212-225 (2008) |
 | Lung injury: Promoting fluid clearance
Adenosine 2B receptor (A2BAR) signaling elevates pulmonary cAMP levels and can attenuate acute lung injury that develops in response to pneumonia, acid aspiration, major trauma and prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 118, 3301-3315 (2008) |
 | Innate immunity: Getting in TRIM to fight retroviruses
The generation of a stable, soluble chimeric tripartite motif (TRIM) 5α-TRIM21 protein has simplified efforts to study the role of TRIM5α in innate immunity to retroviruses.
Original research paper: J. Virol. 82, 11669-11681 (2008) |
 | Gene expression: Coming in waves
Transcription of calcineurin-responsive zinc-finger (Crz1) target genes is regulated by the frequency of rapid, synchronized bursts of Crz1 nuclear localization.
Original research paper: Nature 455, 485-490 (2008) |
 | T cells: Survival tricks
The immunity-related GTPase family M, member 1 (IRGM1) protects T cells from the toxic effects of IFNγ while promoting its antimicrobial effects.
Original research paper: Nature Immunol. 9, 1279-1287 (2008) |
 | Radiotherapy: Worming your way to cell death
Exposure to ionizing radiation stimulates the C. elegans p53-dependent and ceramide biosynthesis pathways to activate core mitochondrial apoptotic machinery.
Original research paper: Science 322, 110-115 (2008) |
 | Immunology: An unexpected complement
The activation of complement signaling pathways in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) contributes to tumor growth by inhibiting the recruitment of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells.
Original research paper: Nature Immunol. 9, 1225-1235 (2008) |
 | Synaptogenesis: Altering your inhibitions
The transcription factor NPAS4 regulates the number of inhibitory synapses in the developing brain.
Original research paper: Nature 455, 1198-1204 (2008) |
 | Cell polarity: Numb localization nailed
Aurora A-mediated phosphorylation of PAR6 kicks off a cascade of events that regulates the symmetric distribution of the Drosophila Numb protein into neural precursor cells.
Original research paper: Cell 135, 161-173 (2008) |
 | Tumorigenesis: It's a knockout!
A knockout of the p53 homolog TAp73 reveals a role for the protein in tumor suppression and maintenance of genomic integrity.
Original research paper: Genes Dev. 2, 605-615 (2008) |
 | Neurodegenerative disease: New ways of tackling Aβ toxicity
Two studies reveal an important function for amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and suggest a novel therapeutic approach to tackle Aβ's deleterious effects.
Original research paper: Nature Med. 14, 1097-1105 (2008) |
 | Cardiovascular disease: Enhanced protection of the heart
Phosphorylation and activation of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) mimics the cardioprotective mechanism known as preconditioning that is induced by repetitive sub-lethal ischemic events.
Original research paper: Science 321, 1493-1495 (2008) |
 | Protein biochemistry: Evolving a better-expressing GPCR
A directed evolution approach has been successful in designing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with greater stability and enhanced expression.
Original research paper: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105, 14808-14813 (2008) |
 | Membrane trafficking: Recycling integrins
The Rab family of small GTPases regulate integrin trafficking during tumor cell migration and cytokinesis.
Original research paper: J. Cell Biol. 183, 143-155 (2008) |
 | Mucosal immunology: Mismanaged ER stress and inflammation
A dysregulated response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress caused by depletion of the transcription factor XBP1 can lead to inflammatory bowel disease.
Original research paper: Cell 134, 743-756 (2008) |
 | Genetics: ALK takes the rap
Amplification or constitutive activation of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a frequent event in familial and sporadic cases of neuroblastoma.
Original research paper: Nature 24 455, 930-935 (2008) |
 | Gene regulation: A tiny missing link for regulatory networks
Genome-wide experimentally mapped and computationally predicted transcription factor (TF)-miRNA interaction sets offer important insights into the role of miRNAs in regulating gene expression at a global level.
Original research paper: Genes Dev. 22, 2535-2549 (2008) |
 | Memory: Scaffolding fearful thoughts
The interaction between the scaffolding protein β-catenin and cadherin is important in the conversion of short-term memories to long-term memories during fear consolidation.
Original research paper: Nature Neurosci. 11, 1319-1326 (2008) |
