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.
 | Oocyte maturation: An irreversible fate
The irreversibility of oocyte maturation in response to a transient stimulus is actively generated by a bistable signaling network that involves the p42 MAPK/Cdc2 positive feedback system.
Original research paper: Nature 426, 460 – 465, (2003) |
 | Chromosome structure: An architectural double act
Differential contributions of condensin I and condensin II to mitotic chromosome architecture in vertebrate cells.
Original research paper: Cell 115, 109 – 121, (2003) |
 | In brief: November 2003: Part 1
Ubiquitylation | Allergy | Haematopoiesis | T-cell signalling | Inflammation | Computational Chemistry | Cardiovascular Disease |
 | In brief: November 2003: Part 2
Autoimmunity | Apoptosis | Innate immunity | Genomic instability | Anticancer Drugs | Proteolysis |
 | Apoptosis: Wreck removal
An unexpected new player has been identified in DNA–damage–induced apoptosis – the linker histone H1.2.
Original research paper: Cell 114, 673 – 688, (2003) |
 | B-cell signalling: It's a knockout!
The B-cell adaptor protein Dapp1 is required for T cell-independent II antigen responses.
Original research paper: Curr. Biol. 2, 354 – 363, (25 September 2003) |
 | Tolerance: AIRE control in the thymus
Llymphotoxin-signaling pathways have an essential role in controlling autoimmune regulator (AIRE) expression.
Original research paper: Nature Immunol. 3, 642 – 655, (28 September 2003) |
 | Metastasis: Flying in the right direction
An activated form of Ras has been employed in a genetic screen in Drosophila for metastatic behavior.
Original research paper: Science 3, 55 – 63, (9 October 2003) |
 | Novel therapeutics: Active state
A high-affinity conformation of Hsp90 confers tumor selectivity on Hsp90 inhibitors.
Original research paper: Nature 425, 407 – 410, (2003) |
 | Mouse models: Going straight for the heart
Bmp4 has an essential role in the atrioventricular septation of the mouse heart.
Original research paper: Genes Dev. 17, 2362 – 2367, (2003) |
 | Neurobiology: Metabotropic glutamate receptors activate cation channel
The TRPC1 cation channel in Purkinje cells mediates metabotropic glutamate receptor 1-evoked slow excitatory postsynaptic conductance, providing a mechanism for many forms of neural plasticity involving metabotropic glutamate receptors.
Original research paper: Nature 426, 285 – 291, (2003) |
 | Apoptosis: Inactivity can be deadly
Loss of Omi protease activity causes the neuromuscular disorder of mnd2 mutant.
Original research paper: Nature (AOP, 8 Oct 2003) |
 | T-cell signalling: The highs and lows of T-cell receptors
The immunological synapse balances T cell receptor signaling and degradation.
Original research paper: Science (AOP, 25 September 2003) |
 | Metastasis: Developing a sense of direction
Expression of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor is negatively regulated by the von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor protein under normoxic conditions, and is induced by hypoxia–inducible factor during hypoxic conditions.
Original research paper: Nature 425, 307 – 311, (2003) |
 | GPCRS: A solid view of GPCRs
The conformation of neurotensin bound to its G protein-coupled receptor.
Original research paper: Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 100, 10706 – 10711, (2003) |
 | Structure: IRF-3 transactivation domain
Two reports present the crystal structure of the C-terminal transactivation domain of the transcription factor interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3), providing insights into the mechanisms of activation and autoinhibition.
Original research paper: Nature Structural Biology 10, 913 – 921, (2003) |
 | Cytoskeleton: Knock 'em down!
RNAi analysis has been used in the Drosophila S2 line to study the roles of microtubule-based motor proteins during mitosis, and on proteins involved in actin dynamics during lamella formation.
Original research paper: J. Cell Biol. 162, 1003 – 1016, (2003) |
 | Immune evasion: Overcoming host defences
HIV-1 Vif blocks the antiviral activity of the cytidine deaminase APOBEC3G by impairing both its translation and intracellular stability.
Original research paper: Mol. Cell 12, 591 – 601, (2003) |
 | Antigen presentation: Working out an alternative route
ER-phagosome fusion defines an MHC class I cross-presentation compartment in dendritic cells.
Original research paper: Nature 425, 402 – 406, (2003) |
 | Tumorigenesis: Complex catastrophe
Active CDC42 sequesters the c-CBL ubiquitin ligase into a complex with COOL1, preventing EGF receptor degradation.
Original research paper: Cell 114, 715 – 725, (2003) |
 | Bioterrorism: Paralyzing the two-faced BOTOX
Several nonpeptidic small-molecule inhibitors of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A have been identified.
Original research paper: Biochem. Biophys. Res. Com. 310, 84 – 93, (2003) |
 | mGluRI-Homer-PIKE: Bound to survive
Activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRIs) enhances the formation of a complex between PIKE-L, mGluRI and Homer, leading to activation of PI3 kinase activity and the prevention of neuronal apoptosis.
Original research paper: Nature Neuroscience 6, 1153 – 1161, (2003) |
 | RNA: Spreading silence
SID1, a newly identified transporter protein, mediates the cellular uptake of dsRNA.
Original research paper: Science 301, 1545 – 1547, (2003) |
 | Tolerance: Tim3 – tolerance's little helper!
Tim-3 inhibits T helper type 1-mediated auto- and alloimmune responses and promotes immunological tolerance.
Original research paper: Nature Immunol. 4, 1102 – 1110, (2003) |
 | Transplantation: A boost for the immune system
Interleukin-7 enhances peripheral T cell reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 112, 1095 – 1107, (2003) |
 | Tumorigenesis: Switching roles
TGF-ß switches from tumour suppressor to pro-metastatic factor in a model of breast cancer progression.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 112, 1116 – 1124, (2003) |
 | Carcinogenesis: Inhaling can seriously damage your health
Evironmental tobacco smoke promotes tumor growth and angiogenesis, strengthening the link between passive smoking and cancer.
Original research paper: Cancer Cell 4, 191 – 196, (2003) |
 | Glia: Tight unions
Association of TAG-1 with Caspr2 is essential for the molecular organization of juxtaparanodal regions of myelinated fibers.
Original research paper: J. Cell Biol. 162, 1149 – 1160, (2003) |
 | Neurodegenerative disorders: Neurodegeneration — it's a snip
HIV-induced metalloproteinase processing of the chemokine stromal cell derived factor-1 causes neurodegeneration.
Original research paper: Nature Neurosci. 6, 1064 – 1071, (2003) |
