Research Highlights

Short, accessible synopses of recent important articles concerning signalling pathways.

September 2007

• Networks: The complexity of adhesion

  

  Cells sense multiple environmental signals through their matrix adhesion complexes, mediated via integrin receptors. These adhesions enable cells to behave differently on 2- and 3-dimensional matrices, distinguish between different extracellular matrix (ECM) components, detect differences in adhesive ligand density and respond to mechanical perturbation and surface rigidity. To understand the mechanisms that underlie these diverse responses, Zaidel-Bar and colleagues now provide a detailed description of the in silico integrin adhesome interaction map.

  Original research paper Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 8 674 - 675 doi:10.1038/nrm2237

• Ageing: Getting old and cancer: hand-in-hand?

  

  The p53–ARF pathway is known to suppress tumorigenesis. p53 is activated in response to high levels of DNA damage (which frequently occur in cancer cells) and it has also been suggested that p53 responds to chronic low levels of DNA damage (which are associated with ageing) to induce senescence or apoptosis. ARF is activated in response to oncogenic signalling and the cellular effects of ageing and stabilizes p53; thus, when p53 is activated, ARF amplifies the activity of p53. Manuel Serrano and colleagues now provide evidence that the p53–ARF pathway increases cellular resistance to oxidative damage in mice, which protects against ageing.

  Original research paper Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 8 676 - 677 doi:10.1038/nrm2247

• Cell signalling: A ciliary sensor

  

  Specialized cell types are covered with small hair-like projections — known as cilia — that assist the movement of fluids over their cell surface. However, most cells possess a single immotile primary cilium that projects into the extracellular space where it functions as a sensor for signalling molecules. Matthew Scott and colleagues now show that the activity of the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway — which controls crucial aspects of development and stem-cell function — is regulated through the transport of key signalling proteins into and out of the primary cilium.

  Original research paper Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology 8 676 - 677 doi:10.1038/nrm2243

• T cells: Notch and GATA3 join forces

  

  Notch and GATA3 (GATA-binding protein 3) are well known as master regulators of intrathymic T-lineage fate determination and T helper 2 (T_H2)-cell differentiation, respectively, but never before have they been functionally linked. Now, two studies in Immunity report that Notch directly regulates Gata3 expression, and together they ensure optimal T_H2-cell differentiation.

  Original research paper Nature Reviews Immunology 7 658 - 659 doi:10.1038/nri2167

• Oncogenes: Translocation

  

  Although chromosomal rearrangements creating oncogenic gene fusions are the hallmark of many haematopoietic malignancies, little is known about such rearrangements in solid tumours. Two papers published in Nature have furthered our understanding of gene fusions in prostate cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

  Original research paper Nature Reviews Cancer 7 638 - 639 doi:10.1038/nrc2217