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.
 | Axonal signaling pathways: Netrin-G1 interactions
Netrin-G1 functions as an important component of the NGL-1 receptor to promote thalamocortical axon outgrowth, suggesting that membrane-bound netrins can participate in receiving axonal signaling pathways.
Original research paper: Nature Neuroscience 6, 1270 – 1276, (2003) |
 | Proteomics: How to see the big picture
Two groups describe methods for the global analysis of protein expression and protein localization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Original research paper: Nature 425, 686 – 691, (2003) |
 | Signal transduction: A new family
The BRCT domain is a phospho-protein binding domain.
Original research paper: Science 302, 636 – 639, (2003) |
 | B-cell development: Plasma-cell differentiation requires Blimp1
Blimp-1 is required for the formation of immunoglobulin secreting plasma cells and pre-plasma memory B cells.
Original research paper: Immunity 19, 607 – 620, (2003) |
 | HIV: DCeiving HIV
DC-SIGN promotes exogenous MHC-I restricted HIV-1 antigen presentation.
Original research paper: Blood 103, 2648 – 2654, (2003) |
 | Signalling: Rac-king up new roles in haematopoiesis
Two studies have used conditional gene targeting to clarify the roles of Rac1 and Rac2 in particular aspects of hematopoietic-cell differentiation.
Original research paper: Science 302, 445 – 449, (2003) |
 | Chromosomal Instability: Fast is dangerous
mTOR inhibitors could potentially be used for prevention and treatment of cancers that involve chromosomal instability.
Original research paper: Nature Genet. 35, 323 – 330, (2003) |
 | Model organisms: Overgrow without scribble
Mutants of the tumor suppressor scribble cooperate with oncogenic Ras or Notch to cause neoplastic overgrowth in Drosophila.
Original research paper: EMBO J. 22, 5769 – 5779, (2003) |
 | Therapeutics: Why less is best?
Thrombospondin 1 is a mediator of the antiangiogenic effects of low-dose metronomic chemotherapy.
Original research paper: Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 100, 12917 – 12922, (2003) |
 | Neurogenesis: Two ways to look after your hippocampus
VEGF is necessary for exercise-induced adult neurogenesis.
Original research paper: Eur. J. Neurosci. 1, 191 – 198, (2000) |
 | Synaptic plasticity: How activity shapes spines
Activity-induced targeting of profilin and stabilization of dendritic spine morphology.
Original research paper: Nature Neurosci. 6, 1194 – 1200, (2003) |
 | RGS-2: A smooth operator
RGS-2 (regulator of G-protein signaling-2) is a central component of nitric oxide-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell relaxation and blood pressure regulation.
Original research paper: Nature Medicine 9, 1506 – 1512, (2003) |
 | Membrane traffic: When to let go
Yip3 catalyses the dissociation of endosomal Rab-GDI complexes.
Original research paper: Nature 425, 856 – 859, (2003) |
 | Stem cells: ID required
Inhibitor of differentiation proteins, induced by the bone morphogenic protein—SMAD pathway, collaborate with LIF to ensure that embryonic stem cells opt for self-renewal.
Original research paper: Cell 115, 281 – 292, (2003) |
 | T-cell development: Directional cues from CXCR4
The CXC-chemokine receptor 4 provides essential signals that guide thymocytes on their developmental journey through the thymus.
Original research paper: J. Immunol. 171, 4521 – 4527, (2003) |
 | Immune responses: Mast cells act by remote control
Mast cell-derived tumor necrosis factor induces hypertrophy of draining lymph nodes during infection.
Original research paper: Nature Immunol. (AOP, 2 Nov 2003) |
 | Tumorigenesis: A bad influence
ß-casein-derived peptides, produced by bacteria, stimulate cancer cell invasion and motility.
Original research paper: EMBO J. 22, 6161 – 6173, (2003) |
 | Glioma: Cooperation is the key
Oncogenic Ras and Akt signaling contribute to glioblastoma formation by differential recruitment of exisiting mRNAs to polysomes.
Original research paper: Mol. Cell 12, 889 – 901, (2003) |
 | Ion channels: An exciting GABA receptor
EXP-1 is an unusual GABA receptor that is selective for cations rather than anions, giving it an excitatory effect.
Original research paper: Nature Neurosci. 3, 728 – 739, (12 October 2003) |
 | Axon guidance: The end of the branch
A neurexin-related protein, BAM-2, terminates axonal branches in C. elegans.
Original research paper: Science 302, 293 – 296, (2003) |
 | Combinatorial chemistry: New directions in chemical space
Generating diverse skeletons of small molecules combinatorially.
Original research paper: Science 302, 613 – 618, (2003) |
 | Apoptosis: Cytochrome c signals calcium release
Cytochrome c released from mitochondria functions in a positive feedback loop by binding to InsP3 receptors on the endoplasmic reticulum, triggering calcium release and thus amplifying calcium-dependent apoptosis.
Original research paper: Nature Cell Biology 5, 1051 – 1061, (2003) |
 | Mitosis: Pulled apart
The AAA-ATPase Cdc48/p97 regulates spindle disassembly at the end of mitosis.
Original research paper: Cell 115, 355 – 367, (2003) |
 | Adhesion and Migration: Going places
Netrin—1 can interact with integrins in epithelial cells to mediate adhesion and migration.
Original research paper: Dev. Cell 5, 695 – 707, (2003) |
 | T-cell signalling: A new adaptor in the LIME-light
LIME, a new transmembrane adaptor protein, is involved in regulating LCK-transduced signals in T cells.
Original research paper: J. Exp. Med. (AOP, 10 November 2003) |
 | Tumorigenesis: A transforming combination
A new combination of just four genetic alterations can transform human diploid fibroblasts without compromising the p53 pathway.
Original research paper: Cancer Cell 4, 301 – 310, (2003) |
 | Oncogenes: Showing some cleavage
Promyelocytes express high levels of a protease that facilitates leukemogenesis.
Original research paper: Cell 115, 305 – 318, (2003) |
 | Systems neuroscience: Heat relief
Microsomal prostaglandin E synthase–1 is the central switch during immune-induced pyresis.
Original research paper: Nature Neurosci. 6, 1137 – 1138, (2003) |
 | Development: Retinoids expand their repertoire
New findings reveal crucial roles for retinoids in the extension of the spinal cord and the specification and differentiation of motor neurons, thereby sealing their reputation as key regulators of neural development.
Original research paper: Neuron 40, 65 – 79, (2003) |
 | Virtual screening:
Different routes to the same answer
The results of two studies — one using vitual screening and one using high–throughput screening — have both identified the same inhibitor of the Type I transforming growth factor–ß receptor kinase.
Original research paper: J. Med. Chem. 46, 3953 – 3956, (2003) |
