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.
 | Immune signaling: Do you have what it TAK-s?
Transforming growth factor-ß-activated kinase (TAK1) is a key mediator of innate and adaptive immune responses in vertebrates.
Original research paper: Nature Immunology 6, 1087 – 1095, (2005) |
 | Recruiting partners for destruction
Two groups have shown that the recruitment of Cdc48 and ubiquitin ligases to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) by Ubx2 is required for ER-associated protein degradation.
Original research paper: Nature Cell Biol. 7, 993 – 998, (2005) |
 | In brief: November 2005
Development | Cell Cycle | Natural killer cells | Antibodies | Tumour immunology | Cancer genetics | Genome evolution | Regulatory networks | Functional genomics | Synaptic transmission | Vision |
 | New role for NK cells in allograft tolerance
Perforin production by natural killer cells plays an unexpected role in the induction of allograft tolerance.
Original research paper: Nature Med. 11, 1059 – 1065, (2005) |
 | No half measures, please
Mutations in the a subunit of the serine–threonine phosphatase complex protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) contribute to cancer development by reducing the activity of the enzyme.
Original research paper: Cancer Res. 65, 8183 – 8192, (2005) |
 | Grasping the essentials
The genetic interaction spectrum of essential genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae reveals an unforeseen complexity of genetic networks.
Original research paper: Nature Genet. 37, 1147 – 1152, (2005) |
 | Mapping multiple sclerosis genes
Large-scale analyses reveal multiple sclerosis risk genes at a locus on chromosome 1 and the HLA class II region on chromosome 6.
Original research paper: Nature Genet. 37, 1108 – 1112, (2005) |
 | Labeling on the surface
A strategy for labeling cell-surface proteins in living cells with small-molecule fluorophores has allowed scientists to study receptor trafficking using single-cell FRET imaging in real time.
Original research paper: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 7754 – 7755, (2004) |
 | Alternative entry
PfRh4 allows Plasmodium falciparum to switch from sialic-acid-dependent invasion to sialic-acid-independent invasion of host erythrocytes.
Original research paper: Science 309, 1384 – 1387, (2005) |
 | MAPK signaling: A BRAF look at cancer therapy
A study of pharmacological agents on cancer cell lines with either RAS or BRAF mutations has shown that despite the known epistatic relationship between these oncogenes, they respond differently to MEK inhibitors.
Original research paper: Nature Advance online publication, (2005) |
 | The variable cell
A new study identifies the mechanisms in the yeast pheromone response pathway that regulate cell-to-cell variability.
Original research paper: Nature 437, 699 – 706, (2005) |
 | Long-awaited structures of an ancient system
The recently resolved structure of the central complement component C3 provides insight into the function and origin of the complement system.
Original research paper: Nature 437, 505 – 511, (2005) |
 | On the verge of collapse
The microtubule-disrupting agent, combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) induces tumor neovessel regression by disrupting the VE-cadherin/ß-catenin/Akt signaling pathway.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 2, 826 – 835, (6 October 2005) |
 | Seeing the light
Activation of an optical probe by tumor-expressed proteases allows researchers to identify and track lung tumors in mice.
Original research paper: Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 102, 14404 – 14409, (2005) |
 | Of mice and men
A new "transchromosomic" mouse model of Down syndrome (DS) exhibits alterations in behavior, synaptic plasticity, cerebellar neuronal number, heart development, and mandible size that relate to human DS.
Original research paper: Science 309, 2033 – 2037, (2005) |
 | Top-Notch patterning
Notch activity is crucial for the generation of striatal neurons in the basal forebrain but is dispensable during subsequent neuronal migration and differentiation.
Original research paper: Development 132, 4247 – 4258, (2005) |
 | Uncovering hidden relationships
Two new studies tackle the complexities of synthetic genetic interaction — identifying relationships between gene products that interact functionally rather than physically.
Original research paper: Nat. Genet. 37, 1147 – 1152, (2005) |
 | Bacterial fight or flight?
Universal stress proteins in Escherichia coli have both distinct and overlapping functions in oxidative stress resistance, adhesion and motility.
Original research paper: J. Bacteriol. 187, 6265 – 6272, (2005) |
 | Protein interactions: EGF receptor promiscuity exposed
A genome-wide analysis of the interactions between proteins containing SH2/PTB domains and active epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors uncovers many promiscuous relationships.
Original research paper: Nature Advance online publication, (2005) |
 | Asymmetric Cell division: A different route to cell fate
Asymmetric distribution of RAB11 endosomes regulates Delta recycling and cell fate in Drosophila.
Original research paper: Cell 122, 763 – 773, (2005) |
 | Protein Degradation: A new chapter for ERAD?
Three groups have shown that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae lectin-like protein Yos9 targets misfolded glycoproteins for ER-associated degradation (ERAD).
Original research paper: Mol. Cell 19, 741 – 751, (2005) |
 | Signalling: Achieving stimulus-specific gene expression
Computer models and in vitro experiments explain how tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are able to induce distinct biological responses despite signaling through the same transcription-factor pathway.
Original research paper: Science 309, 1857 – 1861, (2005) |
 | Angiogenesis: Less restriction for TIE2
The pro-angiogenic activity of monocytes expressing the angiopoietin receptor TIE2 is required for tumor blood-vessel formation.
Original research paper: Cancer Cell 8, 211 – 226, (2005) |
 | Developmental biology: Sizing up the fly
A recent flurry of studies have shed light on how the rate and duration of growth is regulated in the fruit fly.
Original research paper: Curr. Biol. 15, 1785 – 1795, (2005) |
 | Neurological disorders: Thyroid hormone receptors and neuronal dysfunction
Unliganded thyroid hormone receptor a1 (TRa1) causes anxiety, memory deficits and motor dysfunction, which may explain its contribution to the neurological complications of hypothyroidism.
Original research paper: Genes Dev. 19, 2152 – 2163, (2005) |
 | Protein detection goes down to the wire
Nanowire-based arrays offer a novel approach for the multiplexed detection of marker proteins in biological samples—and may prove useful for a wide range of other diagnostic applications.
Original research paper: Nat. Biotechnol. 23, 1294 – 1301, (2005) |
 | Virology: HCV's little helper
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA genome binds to host-cell microRNA (miRNA) to facilitate viral replication.
Original research paper: Science 309, 1577 – 1581, (2005) |
 | Developmental biology: AsymmetRIC-8 cell division
Three groups now show that Ric-8 targets G-protein subunits to the membrane during Drosophila asymmetric division, demonstrating that Ric-8 acts differently in the worm and the fly.
Original research paper: Nature Cell Biology 7, 1083 – 1090, (2005) |
 | Autophagy:
Putting on the brakes
The anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 also functions as an anti-autophagy protein via its inhibitory interaction with Beclin 1.
Original research paper: Cell 122, 927 – 939, (2005) |
 | Transplantation:
NKT cells and neutrophils collaborate in graft rejection
Activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells and the subsequent production of interferon-? (IFN-?) triggers rejection of transplanted insulin-producing islet cells in mice.
Original research paper: J. Exp. Med. 202, 913 – 918, (2005) |
 | Tumorigenesis:
PRAME in the frame
The human tumor antigen PRAME promotes cell growth and survival by antagonizing retinoic acid signaling.
Original research paper: Cell (23 September 2005) |
 | Developmental biology:
Shapely organs require clear orientation
Planar cell polarity genes are required for the correct orientation of cell division and the determination of organ shape in Drosophila.
Original research paper: Curr. Biol. 15, 1640 – 1644, (2005) |
 | Stem cells:
Everything is possible if we work together
The transcription factors OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG collaborate to regulate stem cell pluripotency and self-renewal.
Original research paper: Cell 122, 1 – 10, (2005) |
 | Protein Biochemistry:
Tackling biology's big question
Two research teams have developed powerful mathematical strategies that will help clarify the relationship between the primary sequence and native structure of proteins.
Original research paper: Science 309, 1868 – 1871, (2005) |
 | Vaccines:
Packing the punch into BCG
The vaccine against tuberculosis has been improved by using recombinant mycobacteria that produce the membrane-perforating protein listeriolysin.
Original research paper: J. Clin. Invest. 9, 2472 – 2479, (2005) |
