Articles in 2015

X-ray diffraction provides valuable information on the crystalline order of materials, such as the spacing of atomic layers. Here, the authors demonstrate rapid in situX-ray diffraction measurements of strained ferroelectric oxide thin film superlattices during their layer-by-layer deposition.

The mechanosensitive proteins talin and vinculin mediate the linkage between integrin-bound extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton. Here the authors dissect distinct roles for two actin-binding sites within talin on adhesion complex assembly and maturation, which are regulated by vinculin binding to talin.

Rap1, a member of the Ras family of small guanine triphosphatases, mediates lymphocyte adhesion to high endothelial venules. Here the authors show that depending on its activation status Rap1 plays a dual role in T cell adhesion and by regulating T cell homeostasis is involved in the protection from colitis.

Genetic and environmental factors impact on lung function, important in the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases. Here the authors use imputation of genotypes to the 1000 Genomes Project reference panel to identify novel, low frequency variants associated with lung function.

Wilms tumour is a rare renal neoplasm that primarily affects children but the genomic changes responsible for its development are currently largely unknown. In this study, the authors identify somatic mutations of the MLLT1gene that are potentially involved in the aetiology of a subset of Wilms tumours.

Sec62 is a membrane-bound protein that is involved in the translocation of proteins via the signal recognition particle-independent pathway. Here, the authors show that the receptor SRα displaces Sec62 from the translocon and isolate the domain on SRα that is responsible for this.

Unravelling the mechanism of the recognition of the highly pathogenic influenza A viruses by antibodies is important for understanding their protective function. Zuo et al. characterise the mechanism of recognition of the H5N1 influenza virus by human monoclonal antibodies isolated from convalescent individuals.

The growth factors BMP and FGF both stimulate the self-renewal of nephron progenitor cells (NPCs), but how these signals overlap is unclear. Here in the mouse, Muthukrishnan et al. find BMP7 and FGF9 coordinately regulate AP-1 transcriptional activity, promoting G1-S cell cycle progression and NPC proliferation.

Na_v1.7 channels are known to regulate pain perception in humans and mice. Here, the authors provide evidence that Na_v1.7 deletion leads to transcriptional upregulation of opioid peptides in sensory neurons, and that treatment with the opioid blocker naloxone helps reverse analgesia in mice and human Na_v1.7 nulls.

Acquired resistance to anti-angiogenic drugs, including bevacizumab, may occur in cancer patients. In this study the authors identify in the tumour microenvironment, fibrocyte-like cells derived from the bone marrow that mediate the resistance to bevacizumab through the production of FGF2.

The importance of the tumour microenvironment has now been realised, however the presence of non-tumour cells in cancer samples can complicate genomic analyses. Here, the authors estimate tumour purity in 10,000 samples from the TCGA dataset and can detect a signature of T cell activation.

The enhancement of the magnetic anisotropy of superparamagnetic nanoparticles may increase their functionality. Here, the authors report that the functionalization of maghemite nanoparticles with cobalt(II) complexes enhances their magnetic anisotropy, and subsequently blocking temperature and coercive field.

Vps4 is a AAA+ family protein involved in the disassembly of ESCRT-III polymers during membrane fission events such as occur during HIV budding. Here the authors propose a structure-based model of how the conformational flexibility of Vps4 can be translated into mechanical forces to disassemble ESCRT-III during membrane fission.

Chemokine-driven infiltration of inflammatory macrophages is central to the muscle regenerative response to injury. Here the authors show that the function of infiltrating macrophages is also important as notexin-induced muscle injury in mice is rescued by CX3CR1 knockout owing to enhanced ApoE production.

Inducing random mutation of C. elegansDNA is a widely used technique to investigate gene and protein function. Here the authors introduce a method of optogenetic mutagenesis, driving the generation of reactive oxygen species, which avoids the use of toxic chemicals.

The E2F family of transcription factors controls many important cellular processes. Here, the authors determine the structure of an atypical E2F that contains two DNA binding domains, and propose a mechanism of action for these atypical E2Fs.

Drug molecules operate through physical interaction with specific cellular targets, and understanding this interaction is important for mechanisms and the potential therapeutic effect of drug candidates. Here, the authors show that bioluminescence resonance energy transfer can be used to monitor the intracellular engagement of a drug with its target.

Fitness advantages conferred on species living at low density is thought to be one mechanism by which stable biodiversity is maintained. Here, Liu et al. show that recruitment of seedlings in high-density populations of a subtropical tree is suppressed by soil pathogens, with little effect at low-density.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are implicated in many biological functions. Here the authors expand the human and yeast RNA interactome identifying new and conserved RBPs, several of which with no prior function assigned to RNA biology or structural motifs known to mediate RNA-binding, and suggesting new roles of RNA as modulators of protein function.

Unusual mechanical properties can be obtained with careful design of metamaterials. Here, Davami et al. use a microscale periodic cellular design to create plate mechanical metamaterials which exhibit ultralow mass per unit area, enhanced bending stiffness and ability to recover after extreme deformations.