Research Highlights

Nuclear speckles support the splicing of levelled exon–intron architecture transcripts, and their evolution shaped genome organization in amniotes.

Cytoplasmic partitioning in early embryos depends on microtubule asters. A study reveals that different species use distinct mechanisms to stabilize these inherently unstable structures and preserve robust cytoplasmic compartments.

Liquid–liquid phase separation of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein PDZD8 leads to the formation of biomolecular condensates that stabilize ER–mitochondria contact sites.

Jamieson and colleagues report the effects of spaceflight on haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells isolated from astronauts.

Target-directed miRNA degradation through interaction with non-coding parts of mRNAs is required for proper mammalian development.

The transmembrane protein lunpark is enriched at endoplasmic reticulum junctions where it acts as an organization hub, integrating translation initiation control with nutrient sensing through association with lysosomes.

Following skin injury, macrophages infiltrate the adipose tissue, promoting adipocyte lipolysis, and the released fatty acids induce hair regrowth by activating hair follicle stem cells.

A study finds that mechanical activation leads to microtubule rearrangement, facilitating the proteasomal degradation of an inhibitor of YAP/TAZ, thus promoting YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation.

Colon stem cells expressing the surface markers NOX1 and NPY1R can give rise to colon cancer in mice.

Acute kidney injury induces somatic mitochondrial DNA mutations that impair energy metabolism and the resilience of kidney tissue to following injuries.

Independently of its nuclear DNA-binding activity, the transcription factor PXR has a cytoplasmic function: it binds to mRNAs and promotes their stability.

Paul et al. demonstrate that entry into the cell cycle from quiescence involves a transient, partial inactivation of the APC/C ubiquitin ligase, which halts the degradation of glycolysis enzymes and ensures sufficient ATP production for cell division.

This study reports the successful reprogramming of human blood cells to pluripotent stem cells using small molecules.

H3.14, a histone variant of unknown role, has a dual transcriptional function in the abiotic stress response in plants: activation of stress response genes and inhibition of growth genes.

Kleptosomes are specialized organelles harbouring photosynthetically active chloroplasts that are taken up by so-called ‘solar-powered’ sea slugs.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) induce the multimerization of Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors, and this ROS–auxin signalling connection functions as a rapid adaptive response to water deficit, inducing a temporary stop in root growth.

Adequate levels of nucleotides are essential to ensure genetic stability of proliferating cells. A study finds gap-junction-mediated transport of nucleotides in specific tissues of Drosophila.

Nucleosomes — the basic unit of chromatin architecture — have intrinsic biophysical features of large-scale genome organization.

Repair of DNA double-strand breaks requires chromatin opening; however, the mechanisms involved were unclear. This work shows that sequential histone deamidation and acetylation modifications induce chromatin decompaction by reducing positive charge at the DNA–nucleosome interface.

A distinct population of adipose progenitor cells contributes to the accumulation of visceral white adipose tissue in middle-aged male mice.