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.
 | Human tumorigenesis research: Top Notch
Research now reveals a mechanism that alters the function of a Notch co-activator in a common type of human malignant salivary gland tumor known as mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Original research paper: Nature Genetics 33, 208 – 213, (2003) |
 | Membrane traffic: Sort and transport
New data reveals a functional link between the proteins that regulate trans-Golgi network (TGN) cargo export and endosomal tethering/fusion events.
Original research paper: EMBO J. 22, 78 – 88, (2003) |
 | In brief: February 2003: Part 1
Protein Translocation | Development | Inflammation | Chemoprevention | Ion channels | Genomics | Gene Therapy |
 | In brief: February 2003: Part 2
Development | Apoptosis | Infectious Disease | Therapeutics | Cell Biology of the Neuron | Neurophysiology | Hormone Receptors |
 | Immune regulation: Overcoming TReg-cell blockade
TLR signals can influence adaptive responses through a distinct and previously unknown mechanism — by blocking the suppressive effects of regulatory T cells on effector T cells.
Original research paper: Science 299, 1033 – 1036, (2003) |
 | Epigenetics: Breaking the silence
A combination of techniques have been used to identify three new tumor suppressors.
Original research paper: Cancer Cell 2, 485 – 495, (2002) |
 | Tumour suppressors: A greater loss
The tumor suppressor Arf — which activates p53 by inhibiting Mdm2 — accelerates pituitary tumorigenesis more than loss of Trp53 in Rb-heterozygous mice.
Original research paper: Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 99, 16865 – 16870, (2002) |
 | Mouse models: A double hit for diabetes
Researchers have now created a mouse model of lipoatrophic diabetes and have investigated a fruitful route for its cure by gene therapy.
Original research paper: Genes Dev. 16, 3213 – 3222, (2002) |
 | Neurological disorders: Domestic protection
Two recent studies illustrate that several neurodegenerative diseases have a genetic basis, as the mutant protein becomes toxic to the cell and leads to its demise.
Original research paper: Neuron 36, 1007 – 1019, (2002) |
 | Endocannabinoid system: FAAH better anxiolytics?
Recently published papers now report the high-resolution crystal structure for fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), and a new class of potent and selective FAAH inhibitors.
Original research paper: Science 298, 1793 – 1796, (2002) |
 | Leptin receptor—STAT3 signaling: Fat but not fertile
Leptin receptor long form (LRb) - STAT3 signaling controls maintenance of body energy homeostasis through the hypothalamic melanocortin system, but has no part in LRb dependent regulation of fertility, growth or glucose homeostasis.
Original research paper: Nature 421, 856 – 859, (2003) |
 | Apoptosis: Cheating death
ASPP1 and ASPP2 act as potent activators of p53. Now, a third member of the ASPP family has been identified, but in this case it acts as an inhibitor of p53.
Original research paper: Nature Genet. 33, 162 – 167, (2003) |
 | Development: And on your right...
Research now shows that the cytoplasmic domain of syndecan is targeted by protein kinase C (PKC)-? in right, but not left, ectodermal cells in Xenopus and that this is one of the earliest steps in left–right development, occurring before the appearance of nodal cilia.
Original research paper: Cell 111, 981 – 990, (2002) |
 | Lymphopoiesis: Who's the daddy?
Pax5 is not a master regulator of B-cell development. However, it is important for controlling lymphoid cell-fate decisions, as ectopic expression of Pax5 interferes with early Notch1-mediated T-cell lymphopoiesis and diverts lymphoid progenitors into the B-cell pathway.
Original research paper: Immunity 17, 781 – 793, (2002) |
 | Therapeutics: Mass destruction
Both urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) are overexpressed in nearly all human cancers. Researchers have now exploited this tumor-associated uPA system to activate a targeted immunotoxin, based on anthrax, which causes potent destruction of tumors.
Original research paper: Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. 100, 657 – 662, (2003) |
 | Ion channels: Fluid control
A class of high affinity inhibitors of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a cyclic-AMP-activated chloride channel, have now been identified from a screen of 50,000 compounds.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 110, 1651 – 1658, (2002) |
 | TICAM-1 and TLR3: A perfect match without MyD88
A new molecule named Toll-interleukin 1 receptor domain (TIR)-containing adaptor molecule (TICAM-1) has been identified as the elusive adaptor molecule that induces INF-ß production through TLR3 signaling in a MyD88-independent pathway.
Original research paper: Nature Immunology 4, 161 – 167, (2003) |
 | Transcription: Hitch a ride
New data provides the first evidence for a direct functional connection between a microtubular transporter protein and transcriptional regulation.
Original research paper: Science 298, 2388 – 2390, (2002) |
 | Telomere maintenance: The road less travelled
Results now reveal that functional differences exist between ALT and telomerase, and directly implicate telomerase in enhancing metastatic potential.
Original research paper: Genes Dev. 17, 88 – 100, (2003) |
 | Epigenetics: Now you see it ... now you don't!
A study indicates that epigenetic changes might lead to the fixation of phenotypes that are normally buffered by heat shock protein 90 and that are exposed by, for example, environmental stress.
Original research paper: Nature Genet. 33, 70 – 74, (2003) |
 | Cell biology of the neuron: Growth cones go rafting
Researchers show that certain cell adhesion molecules are localized to specialized microdomains within the cell membrane, known as lipid rafts, and that these rafts are important for growth cone migration.
Original research paper: J. Cell Biol. 159, 1097 – 1108, (2002) |
 | Inflammatory diseases: Setting a trap for cytokines
Work published in Nature Medicine describes the design and production of a novel class of cytokine antagonists, termed cytokine traps, which overcome some of the problems with existing antagonists.
Original research paper: Nature Medicine 9, 47 – 52, (2003) |
 | Nerve injury: A Fas-cinating trigger for neurite outgrowth
Engagement of Fas in primary neurons activates the ERK/MAPK pathway. This leads to the induction of p35, an activator of the kinase Cdk5, and consequently neurite outgrowth. Fas activation thus accelerates functional recovery after nerve injury in mice.
Original research paper: Nature Cell Biology 5, 118 – 125, (2003) |
 | Cell adhesion: Keeping it together
Results indicate that moesin promotes cortical actin assembly and apical–basal polarity — not by virtue of it linking the plasma membrane and the actin cytoskeleton, but by its ability to antagonize the activity of the small GTPase Rho.
Original research paper: Nature 421, 83 – 87, (2003) |
 | Allergy: SHP1 and the airways
SHP1 has a role as a negative regulator of TH2-cell development and is important for controlling the pathogenesis of allergen-induced airway inflammation.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 111, 109 – 119, (2002) |
 | Carcinogenesis: Double whammy
Tobacco has a direct biochemical effect on cells through activation of the anti-apoptotic signaling protein AKT.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 111, 81 – 90, (2003) |
 | Ion channel structure: Rectifying an IRKsome finding
Structural features may explain IRK channels' ability to conduct ions more efficiently into than out of cells.
Original research paper: Cell 111, 957 – 965, (2003) |
 | Arthritis: Oxygen burst may be crucial
The involvement of Ncf1 in the generation of arthritogenic T cells explains the paradox that a decreased, rather than an increased, oxygen burst is associated with arthritis.
Original research paper: Nature Genet. 33, 25 – 32, (2003) |
