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.
 | Cell migration: Repulsive attraction
Endocytosis of EphB-ephrinB is a mechanism that results in cell detachment allowing contact-mediated repulsion and thus control of cell movement during development.
Original research paper: Nature Cell Biology 5, 879 – 888, (2003) |
 | Autoimmunity:
Too much of a good thing
Researchers now show that unrestrained activation of a subset of CD4+ T cells has a role in the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis.
Original research paper: Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 100, 9452 – 9457, (2003) |
 | In brief: September 2003
Neurodegeneration | Apoptosis | Nuclear transport | B-Cell Responses | Monocytes | Metastasis | Tumorigenesis | Tumour Suppressors | Ion channels | Transport Proteins | | Anticancer Drugs |
 | Macrophages:
Amazing architecture
The interaction of the scavenger receptor Marco with marginal zone B cells (MZBs) is a mechanism for the retention of MZBs in the marginal zone of splenic white pulp by specialized marginal-zone macrophages.
Original research paper: J. Exp. Med. 198, 333 – 340, (2003) |
 | Angiogenesis:
Cutting off growth
Egr-1 has a crucial role in endothelial-cell growth and tumor angiogenesis, and is regulated by FGF2 but not VEGF.
Original research paper: Nature Med. 9, 1026 – 1032, (2003) |
 | Protein degradation:
Waste disposal under the spotlight
A transgenic mouse model of the ubiquitin/proteasome system has now been developed.
Original research paper: Nature Biotechnol. 21, 897 – 902, (2003 ) |
 | Organ-specific metastasis: How cancer cells home in
The molecular mechanism involved in the cellular reprogramming of a cancer cell to drive organ-specific metastasis through the expression of CXCR4 has now been elucidated.
Original research paper: Nature 425, 307 – 311, (2003) |
 | Cell migration:
Healing aid
The growth factor macrophage-stimulating protein receptor regulates a6ß4 and a3ß1 integrins via 14-3-3 proteins in keratinocyte migration.
Original research paper: Dev. Cell 5, 257 – 271, (2003) |
 | HIV:
Overriding safety measures
The interaction between HIV-1 capsid protein and the host cell protein cyclophilin A modulates the sensitivity of HIV-1 to host restriction factors.
Original research paper: Nature Med. 9, 1138 – 1143, (2003) |
 | Tumorigenesis:
Stopping the leaks
Caveolin-1 is a novel target for antitumor therapy, as it specifically affects tumor microvasculature.
Original research paper: Cancer Cell 4, 31 – 39, (2003) |
 | Development:
Smoothening Hedgehog signalling
The Smo receptor can initiate all the responses that are associated with both high and low levels of Hedgehog, but can also differentiate between these levels.
Original research paper: Development 130, 3951 – 3963, (2003) |
 | Rheumatoid arthritis:
SLAYGLR revealed!
SLAYGLR, an epitope of the bone molecule osteopontin, has been found to have a destructive role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 112, 181 – 188, (2003) |
 | Synaptic vesicles: NO means yes for recycling
Synaptic vesicle recycling and hence sustained neurotransmitter release is regulated by NMDA receptor-dependent postsynaptic production of NO, resulting in a presynaptic cGMP-dependent increase in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2).
Original research paper: Nature Neuroscience 6, 925 – 932, (2003) |
 | Signal transduction:
Trigger-happy trio
Rho-G activates Rac1 by direct interaction with the Dock180-binding protein Elmo.
Original research paper: Nature 424, 461 – 464, (2003) |
 | Innate immunity:
DCs 'Tip' off the innate immune system
A subset of dendritic cells termed Tip-DCs (TNF/iNOS-producing dendritic cells) are essential for host defence against bacterial infections.
Original research paper: Immunity 19, 59 – 70, (2003) |
 | Expression profiling:
Order out of chaos
The oncogenic effect of cyclin D1 involves the transcription factor C/EBPß and might be independent from its cyclin-dependent kinase function.
Original research paper: Cell 114, 323 – 334, (2003) |
 | Extracellular matrix:
Breaking free
Membrane type I matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) directly regulates cell growth by allowing cells to grow through the three-dimensional extracellular matrix.
Original research paper: Cell 114, 33 – 45, (2003) |
 | Addiction:
Of mice and morphine
Both morphine tolerance and dependence require the NR2A subunit (also called GluRe1) of the NMDA receptor, but they are mediated by different brain areas.
Original research paper: J. Neurosci. 23, 6529 – 6536, (2003) |
 | Obesity: Signaling fullness
Oleylethanolamide (OEA) interacts with the nuclear receptor peroxisome-proliferator-activated rector-a (PPAR-a) to induce the feeling of satiety and ultimately regulate body weight gain.
Original research paper: Nature 425, 90 – 93, (2003) |
 | Apoptosis: Lifesaver
Voltage-dependent anion channel 2 (VDAC2) is a specific inhibitor of BAK-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis, which, when absent, causes increased susceptibility to apoptotic death.
Original research paper: Science 301, 513 – 517, (2003) |
 | Protein sorting:
Over to you, SAM
A complex called SAM has been shown to sort and assemble outer membrane proteins after they have been transported through the mitochondrial membrane by the TOM complex.
Original research paper: Nature 424, 565 – 571, (2003) |
 | Tumour suppressors: Ageing defences
The antioxidant peroxiredoxin 1 (Prdx1) is directly implicated in tumor suppression in aging mice.
Original research paper: Nature 424, 561 – 565, (2003) |
 | Synaptic plasticity:
Retro styling
New components of the retrograde signaling system used in the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) have been identified.
Original research paper: Neuron 39, 241 – 254, (2003) |
 | Diabetes: Ramping up kinase restores the balance
Upregulating glucokinase activity might clinically benefit sufferers of type 2 diabetes.
Original research paper: Science 301, 370 – 373, (2003) |
