Biology

  1. Biology

Functional genetics reveals modulators of antimicrotubule drug sensitivity

Microtubules play essential roles in diverse cellular processes and are important pharmacological targets for treating human disease. Here, we sought to identify cellular factors that modulate the sensitivity of cells to antimicrotubule drugs. We conducted a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9-based functional genetics screen in human cells treated with the microtubule-destabilizing drug nocodazole or the microtubule-stabilizing drug paclitaxel. […]
Written by
  1. Biology

Real-time imaging reveals a role for macrophage protrusive motility in melanoma invasion

Macrophages are primary cells of the innate immune system that mediate tumor progression. However, the motile behavior of macrophages and interactions with tumor cells are not well understood. Here, we exploit the optical transparency of larval zebrafish and perform real-time imaging of macrophage–melanoma interactions. We found that macrophages are highly motile in the tumor microenvironment. […]
Written by
  1. Biology

Securin regulates the spatiotemporal dynamics of separase

Separase regulates multiple aspects of the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. Separase cleaves cohesin to allow chromosome segregation and localizes to vesicles to promote exocytosis. The anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) activates separase by ubiquitinating its inhibitory chaperone, securin, triggering its degradation. How this pathway controls the exocytic function of separase is unknown. During meiosis I, securin is degraded over […]
Written by
  1. Biology

Visualizing ER-phagy and ER architecture in vivo

ER-phagy is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. However, significant gaps persist in our understanding of how ER-phagy and the ER network vary across cell subtypes, tissues, and organs. Furthermore, the pathophysiological relevance of ER-phagy remains poorly elucidated. Addressing these questions requires developing quantifiable methods to visualize ER-phagy and ER architecture in […]
Written by
  1. Biology

Preserve or destroy: Orphan protein proteostasis and the heat shock response

Most eukaryotic genes encode polypeptides that are either obligate members of hetero-stoichiometric complexes or clients of organelle-targeting pathways. Proteins in these classes can be released from the ribosome as “orphans”—newly synthesized proteins not associated with their stoichiometric binding partner(s) and/or not targeted to their destination organelle. Here we integrate recent findings suggesting that although cells […]
Written by
  1. Biology

Non-cell autonomous regulation of cell–cell signaling and differentiation by mitochondrial ROS

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) function intrinsically within cells to induce cell damage, regulate transcription, and cause genome instability. However, we know little about how mitochondrial ROS production non-cell autonomously impacts cell–cell signaling. Here, we show that mitochondrial dysfunction inhibits the plasma membrane localization of cell surface receptors that drive cell–cell communication during oogenesis. Within […]
Written by
  1. Biology

Stairway to the Golgi: Two paths VPS13B can go by

VPS13 proteins mediate lipid transfer across membranes. Among them, VPS13B is associated with Golgi membranes, and VPS13B mutations cause Cohen syndrome. In this issue, Ugur et al. (https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202311189) and Du et al. (https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202402083) reveal new VPS13B interactors and their functions in Golgi organization and trafficking.
Written by
  1. Biology

PI(3,5)P 2 asymmetry during mitosis is essential for asymmetric vacuolar inheritance

Phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P2) is a low-abundance signaling lipid that plays crucial roles in various cellular processes, including endolysosomal system structure/function, stress response, and cell cycle regulation. PI(3,5)P2 synthesis increases in response to environmental stimuli, yet its behavior in cycling cells under basal conditions remains elusive. Here, we analyzed spatiotemporal changes in PI(3,5)P2 levels during the […]
Written by
  1. Biology

BEACH domain proteins function as cargo-sorting adaptors in secretory and endocytic pathways

We identify BEACH domain–containing proteins (BDCPs) as novel membrane coat proteins involved in the sorting of transmembrane proteins (TMPs) on the trans-Golgi network and tubular sorting endosomes. The seven typical mammalian BDCPs share a predicted alpha-solenoid-beta propeller structure, suggesting they have a protocoatomer origin and function. We map the subcellular localization of seven BDCPs based […]
Written by
  1. Biology

eIF5A controls mitoprotein import by relieving ribosome stalling at TIM50 translocase mRNA

Efficient import of nuclear-encoded proteins into mitochondria is crucial for proper mitochondrial function. The conserved translation factor eIF5A binds ribosomes, alleviating stalling at polyproline-encoding sequences. eIF5A impacts mitochondrial function across species, though the precise molecular mechanism is unclear. We found that eIF5A depletion in yeast reduces the translation and levels of the TCA cycle and […]
Written by

Good Reads

A proteome-wide yeast degron collection for the dynamic study of protein function

Genome-wide collections of yeast strains, known as libraries, revolutionized the way systematic studies are carried out. Specifically, libraries that involve a cellular perturbation, such as the deletion collection, have facilitated key biological discoveries. However, short-term rewiring and long-term accumulation of suppressor mutations often obscure the functional consequences of such perturbations. We present the AID library […]
Written by

Columbia Climate School Hosts Ninth Annual Sustainability Careers Reception – State of the Planet

Practitioners who attended the 2024 Sustainability Careers Reception. (*See below for names and affiliations) Last month, the Columbia Climate School hosted its ninth annual Sustainability Careers Reception at the Columbia Club in Midtown Manhattan. Thirty-three sustainability professionals and 88 Columbia students from varying backgrounds and degree pursuits gathered to discuss the ever-pressing challenges and real-world […]
Written by

Worlwide

A proteome-wide yeast degron collection for the dynamic study of protein function

Genome-wide collections of yeast strains, known as libraries, revolutionized the way systematic studies are carried out. Specifically, libraries that involve a cellular perturbation, such as the deletion collection, have facilitated key biological discoveries. However, short-term rewiring and long-term accumulation of suppressor mutations often obscure the functional consequences of such perturbations. We present the AID library […]
Written by

Columbia Climate School Hosts Ninth Annual Sustainability Careers Reception – State of the Planet

Practitioners who attended the 2024 Sustainability Careers Reception. (*See below for names and affiliations) Last month, the Columbia Climate School hosted its ninth annual Sustainability Careers Reception at the Columbia Club in Midtown Manhattan. Thirty-three sustainability professionals and 88 Columbia students from varying backgrounds and degree pursuits gathered to discuss the ever-pressing challenges and real-world […]
Written by
Scientists uncover new way viruses fight back against bacteria

Conserving high-elevation grasslands in Peru is key to protect Andean bears

Andean bears carefully select the best foraging locations and plants to maximize nutrition and avoid livestock, according to a study publishing December 18, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Nicholas Pilfold at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in California, U.S., and colleagues. Andean bears, also known as ‘spectacled bears’ because of the […]
Written by

Trending

Login

Welcome to Life Science News!
"Explore the Latest Discoveries and Breakthroughs in Life Science with Life Science News!"
Read Smart, Save Time
Pick all the topics you are interested in to fill your homepage with stories you'll love.
Join our community
Registration is closed.