science
DFCP1 Forms a Membrane Barrier That Organises Lysosome Repair Sites
A bioRxiv preprint reports that DFCP1 assembles into a helical coat that concentrates the membrane lipid PI3P and helps organise sites where cells repair damaged lysosomes.
Khabre desk
Cell Biology
Recent reporting, analysis and explainers from the Cell Biology desk.
science
Cell Painting PLUS adds organelle imaging to compound profiling
A bioRxiv preprint reports that Cell Painting PLUS uses additional organelle-resolved imaging to improve morphological profiling of compounds. In tests of 284 compounds in U2OS cells, it performed better than conventional Cell Painting for identifying compounds that interfere with lysosome function.
science
Preprint maps a streamlined flagellar scaffold in malaria parasites
A bioRxiv preprint reports that Plasmodium male-gamete axonemes retain key surface motility modules but have a reduced set of proteins inside their microtubule doublets. It also describes proteins involved in doublet organization and the progressive assembly of outer dynein arms.
science
Preprint links lysosomal acid lipase to phagosome maturation
A bioRxiv preprint reports that lysosomal acid lipase helps release cholesterol during phagosome maturation. Inhibiting the enzyme changed membrane organisation and had different effects on the survival of two bacterial pathogens.
science
Scientists are mapping the many ways cells can die
Modern gene editing, high-resolution imaging and omics tools have expanded cell biology beyond the two classic forms of cell death. Researchers are also finding that some cells can delay death or recover after a death programme begins.
science
Sustained 10% Oxygen Favors Atrial iPSC-Cardiomyocytes
A bioRxiv preprint reports that maintaining 10% oxygen throughout human iPSC-cardiomyocyte differentiation favoured atrial rather than ventricular specification. The laboratory finding could help produce atrial cells but raises process-design concerns for manufacturing ventricular cells.
science
Preprint links PBF protein to cell movement control
A bioRxiv preprint reports that the protein PBF/PTTG1IP helps coordinate cell adhesion, front–rear polarity and directional movement. The findings come from mouse fibroblasts and human thyroid cancer cells, making them preclinical mechanistic evidence.
science
Preprint links PLCXD2 to retinal lipid balance and photoreceptor health
A bioRxiv preprint identifies phosphatidylinositol (PI) as the preferred direct substrate of the enzyme PLCXD2. In a PLCXD2-deficient retinal model, the loss was associated with altered lipid products, synaptic abnormalities, retinal-layer thinning and weaker electrical responses from photoreceptors.
science
RNF213 tags abnormal glycogen for disposal in brain cells
A Nature study identifies RNF213 as an enzyme that marks abnormal glycogen, or polyglucosan, for autophagy in brain cells. Experiments in engineered cells and mice link the pathway to protection against polyglucosan accumulation.