Sperm–egg binding is mediated by two cell-surface proteins. Structural analysis of these proteins separately and in complex provides insight into the recognition process and the subsequent sperm–egg fusion.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature18448
Tag Archives: biology
Cell biology: Membrane kiss mediates hormone secretion
Communication between cells relies on hormone release from secretory granules, but how these vesicles fuse with cell membranes is unclear. An imaging study provides in vivo evidence for a stable intermediate fusion step.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature18446
Evolutionary biology: To mimicry and back again
Deadly coral snakes warn predators through striking red-black banding. New data confirm that many harmless snakes have evolved to resemble coral snakes, and suggest that the evolution of this Batesian mimicry is not always a one-way street.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature18441
Cell biology: Ubiquitination without E1 and E2 enzymes
A protein in the pathogenic bacterium Legionella pneumophila has been found to attach the modifying molecule ubiquitin to human proteins, using a mechanism that, surprisingly, does not involve cellular E1 and E2 enzymes.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature17888
Cell biology: Calcium contradictions in cilia
Organelles called primary cilia that protrude from cells have been thought to sense the surrounding environment through calcium-channel proteins that respond to force. Two scientists discuss the implications for developmental biology and kidney disease of a study that challenges this hypothesis.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature17313
Infection biology: Small RNA with a large impact
A simultaneous comparison of the RNA molecules expressed by Salmonella bacteria and human cells during infection reveals how a bacterial small RNA alters the transcript profiles of both the bacteria and the host cells.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature16872
Cell biology: Lipid code for membrane recycling
The sequential action of enzymes has been shown to modify members of a class of membrane lipid called phosphoinositides to direct integral membrane proteins for recycling.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature16868
Vascular biology: Transcriptional control of endothelial energy
The formation of blood vessels requires rapid proliferation of endothelial cells. The transcription factors FOXO1 and MYC have been found to regulate the metabolism and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature16866
Regenerative biology: Innate immunity repairs gut lining
It emerges that innate immune cells called group 3 innate lymphoid cells signal directly to intestinal stem cells to promote the replacement of damaged epithelial cells lining the gut.
Nature doi: 10.1038/nature16325