EMBO Reports - Table of Contents alert Volume 13 Issue 4, pp 279 - 391

TABLE OF CONTENTS April 2012 | Volume 13, Issue 4 Upfront Science & Society Reviews Scientific Reports Also new AOP Sign up for e-alerts Recommend to your library Web feed Subscribe Advertisement The EMBO Meeting 2012 22 - 25 September in Nice, France Keynotes: Paul Nurse & Linda Partridge 20 concurrent sessions covering the life sciences Speakers include: Kari Alitalo, Karl Deisseroth, Steven Henikoff, Ruth Lehmann, Dirk Schübeler & Rob Singer Abstract submission & early registration: 12 June 2012 www.the-embo-meeting.org   Upfront Top Editorial Things we know we know Universities worldwide compete to produce the most impressive performance statistics. Howy worries that the universities' primary function of scholarship is being neglected in the process. Howy Jacobs EMBO reports (2012), 13, 279; 10.1038/embor.2012.30 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 02 April 2012 Subject Categories: Science Infrastructures & Publishing | Scientific Training & Careers Significant statistics Appropriate statistical analysis is vital to the integrity of the scientific record, but experience and intuition also play a role in interpreting results. Scientific progress should not be hampered through statistical over-evaluation. Bernd Pulverer EMBO reports (2012), 13, 280; 10.1038/embor.2012.38 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 02 April 2012 Subject Categories: Science Infrastructures & Publishing | Scientific Training & Careers Opinion Molecules of choice? Transmembrane proteins with seven helices, whether they are in the insect ‘nose’ or the mammalian eye, are the molecule of choice for detecting the world. No matter the kingdom, evolution seems to settle on the optimal solution time and time again. Simon Conway Morris EMBO reports (2012), 13, 281; 10.1038/embor.2012.21 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 28 February 2012 Subject Categories: Evolution, Environment & Agriculture Hot off the Press Get your fingers out of p53's way! Premature triggering of cell death by p53 has to be avoided. A recent study in EMBO reports demonstrates how the anti-apoptotic protein Apak represses the expression of the pro-apoptotic p53 target gene p53AIP1 in non-stressed cells. Débora Rosa Bublik and Moshe Oren EMBO reports (2012), 13, 282 - 283; 10.1038/embor.2012.33 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 16 March 2012 Subject Categories: Differentiation & Death A new class of SUMO proteases A new class of SUMO protease, DeSUMOylating enzyme (DeSI)—that has different substrates and localization to SENP SUMO proteases—is characterized in this issue of EMBO reports. The implications for the field are discussed here. Jennifer Gillies and Mark Hochstrasser EMBO reports (2012), 13, 284 - 285; 10.1038/embor.2012.34 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 16 March 2012 Subject Categories: Proteins Meeting Point Science in Suzhou: establishment and function of neural circuits The CSH Asia conference ‘Assembly, Plasticity, Dysfunction and Repair of Neural Circuits’ brought together developmental, cell, molecular and systems neuroscientists to discuss the establishment, function and plasticity of neural circuits. Kristin Scott and Marc Hammarlund EMBO reports (2012), 13, 286 - 288; 10.1038/embor.2012.27 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 09 March 2012 Subject Categories: Neuroscience | Cell & Tissue Architecture Correspondence No credible consciousness without critical thinking Consciousness is more than just a collection of adaptive responses. Rather than a broader definition of the phenomenon, we need agreement on what constitutes real evidence of consciousness in non-human beings. I Anna S Olsson and Björn Forkman EMBO reports (2012), 13, 289; 10.1038/embor.2012.20 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 02 March 2012 Subject Categories: Ethics | Societal Issues & Politics Response to Olsson and Forkman Recognising that every organism is conscious opens opportunities for experimental investigation and evidence-based understanding of this crucial biological capability. Anthony J Trewavas and Frantisek Baluska EMBO reports (2012), 13, 289 - 290; 10.1038/embor.2012.22 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 03 March 2012 Subject Categories: Ethics | Societal Issues & Politics English of science or scientific English? Krishanu Ray EMBO reports (2012), 13, 290; 10.1038/embor.2012.28 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 13 March 2012 Subject Categories: Science Infrastructures & Publishing | Science Policy & Funding Science & Society Top Replicates and repeats—what is the difference and is it significant? Replicate samples are important, but they cannot be used to properly test the validity of a scientific hypothesis. David L Vaux, Fiona Fidler and Geoff Cumming EMBO reports (2012), 13, 291 - 296; 10.1038/embor.2012.36 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 16 March 2012 Subject Categories: Science Policy & Funding | Scientific Training & Careers The biology of happiness Happiness has become a major topic of interest for the social sciences and economists, yet biology has had little to say about this elusive emotion. As humans evolved to seek pleasure and avoid pain, how did this ancient survival mechanism determine human destiny in modern societies. Ladislav Kováč EMBO reports (2012), 13, 297 - 302; 10.1038/embor.2012.26 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 13 March 2012 Subject Categories: Philosophy & History of Science | Evolution, Environment & Agriculture To hype, or not to(o) hype Scientists and journalists try to engage the public with exciting stories, but who is guilty of overselling research and what are the consequences? Andrea Rinaldi EMBO reports (2012), 13, 303 - 307; 10.1038/embor.2012.39 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 16 March 2012 Subject Categories: Societal Issues & Politics | Ethics | Science Infrastructures & Publishing Wildlife forensics Genomics has become a powerful tool for conservationists to track individual animals, analyse populations and inform conservation management. But as helpful as these techniques are, they are not a substitute for stricter measures to protect threatened species. Howard Wolinsky EMBO reports (2012), 13, 308 - 312; 10.1038/embor.2012.35 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 16 March 2012 Subject Categories: Evolution, Environment & Agriculture | Technology, Development & Applications Reviews Top Transcription goes digital Imaging single genes in individual cells has revealed that transcription activity can vary from cell to cell and can occur in pulses. This review presents the evidence for transcriptional bursting, discusses the potential mechanisms that generate it and examines the implications of digital modes of gene expression. Timothée Lionnet and Robert H Singer EMBO reports (2012), 13, 313 - 321; 10.1038/embor.2012.31 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 13 March 2012 Subject Categories: Chromatin & Transcription Non-apoptotic functions of apoptosis-regulatory proteins Galluzzi, Kroemer and colleagues summarize the important roles of apoptotic regulators and executioners in non-lethal physiological processes as diverse as cell cycle progression, differentiation, metabolism, autophagy and inflammation. Lorenzo Galluzzi, Oliver Kepp, Christina Trojel-Hansen and Guido Kroemer EMBO reports (2012), 13, 322 - 330; 10.1038/embor.2012.19 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 09 March 2012 Subject Categories: Differentiation & Death | Signal Transduction Scientific Reports Top Cargo ubiquitination is essential for multivesicular body intralumenal vesicle formation Using a number of yeast cargo that are sorted into multivesicular body intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) and a chimeric ESCRT-0 subunit fused to a deubiquitinating enzyme, cargo ubiquitination per se is shown to induce ILVs in an ESCRT-complex-dependent manner. Chris MacDonald, Nicholas J Buchkovich, Daniel K Stringer, Scott D Emr and Robert C Piper EMBO reports (2012), 13, 331 - 338; 10.1038/embor.2012.18 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 28 February 2012 Subject Categories: Membranes & Transport | Proteins DeSUMOylating isopeptidase: a second class of SUMO protease This study identifies and characterizes a novel deSUMOylase, DeSI-1, and one of its targets, the transcriptional repressor BZEL. This is the first family of SUMO proteases to be discovered since the description of the sentrin-specific proteases (SENPs), and they probably recognize a different set of substrates. Eun Ju Shin, Hyun Mi Shin, Eori Nam, Won Seog Kim, Ji-Hoon Kim, Byung-Ha Oh and Yungdae Yun EMBO reports (2012), 13, 339 - 346; 10.1038/embor.2012.3 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 28 February 2012 Subject Categories: Proteins Cell cycle control of Wnt/β-catenin signalling by conductin/axin2 through CDC20 Wnt signalling is known to regulate cell proliferation via cell cycle modulation. Behrens and collaborators now report that, reciprocally, Wnt signalling is regulated by cell cycle progression through CDC20-mediated control of conductin/Axin2 levels. Michel V Hadjihannas, Dominic B Bernkopf, Martina Brückner and Jürgen Behrens EMBO reports (2012), 13, 347 - 354; 10.1038/embor.2012.12 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 10 February 2012 Subject Categories: Cell Cycle | Signal Transduction Eomesodermin induces Mesp1 expression and cardiac differentiation from embryonic stem cells in the absence of Activin The transcription factor Eomes induces Mesp1, thereby promoting cardiovascular fate during embryonic stem cell differentiation. This effect is modulated by Activin signals, which inhibit Eomes-dependent cardiac fate and instead enhance endodermal differentiation. Jelle van den Ameele, Luca Tiberi, Antoine Bondue, Catherine Paulissen, Adèle Herpoel, Michelina Iacovino, Michael Kyba, Cédric Blanpain and Pierre Vanderhaeghen EMBO reports (2012), 13, 355 - 362; 10.1038/embor.2012.23 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 09 March 2012 Subject Categories: Development Apak competes with p53 for direct binding to intron 1 of p53AIP1 to regulate apoptosis Apak competes with p53 for binding to the pro-apoptotic p53 target gene p53AIP1 and inhibits its expression. Upon DNA damage, Apak dissociates from the DNA, which abolishes its inhibitory effect on p53-mediated apoptosis. Lin Yuan, Chunyan Tian, Hongye Wang, Shanshan Song, Deyang Li, Guichun Xing, Yuxin Yin, Fuchu He and Lingqiang Zhang EMBO reports (2012), 13, 363 - 370; 10.1038/embor.2012.10 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 14 February 2012 Subject Categories: Differentiation & Death Lysine methylation of FOXO3 regulates oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death FOXO transcription factors play a critical role in oxidative-stress-induced neuronal cell death. Here Set9-mediated methylation of FOXO3 is shown to inhibit FOXO3 activity resulting in reduced oxidative-stress-induced neuronal apoptosis. Qi Xie, Yumin Hao, Li Tao, Shengyi Peng, Chitong Rao, Hong Chen, Han You, Meng-qiu Dong and Zengqiang Yuan EMBO reports (2012), 13, 371 - 377; 10.1038/embor.2012.25 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 09 March 2012 Subject Categories: Differentiation & Death Mitochondrial processing peptidase regulates PINK1 processing, import and Parkin recruitment Dysfunctional mitochondria express high surface levels of the Parkinson's disease-linked protein PINK1, which in turn recruits Parkin for mitophagy. Fon and colleagues now show that levels of PINK1 are kept low in normal mitochondria through degradation by the mitochondrial processing peptidase (MPP). Andrew W Greene, Karl Grenier, Miguel A Aguileta, Stephanie Muise, Rasoul Farazifard, M Emdadul Haque, Heidi M McBride, David S Park and Edward A Fon EMBO reports (2012), 13, 378 - 385; 10.1038/embor.2012.14 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 21 February 2012 Subject Categories: Proteins | Cellular Metabolism | Molecular Biology of Disease TCR-mediated Erk activation does not depend on Sos and Grb2 in peripheral human T cells Sos and RasGRP1 were shown to control Ras activation upon T-cell receptor triggering in lymphoid cell lines and thymocytes. This study shows this does not occur in primary human T lymphocytes, in which only RasGRP1 is needed for TCR-mediated Erk activation. Nicole Warnecke, Mateusz Poltorak, Bhavani S Kowtharapu, Boerge Arndt, James C Stone, Burkhart Schraven and Luca Simeoni EMBO reports (2012), 13, 386 - 391; 10.1038/embor.2012.17 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 17 February 2012 Subject Categories: Immunology Please note that you need to be a subscriber or site-licence holder to enjoy full-text access to EMBO reports. In order to do so, please purchase a subscription. You have been sent this Table of Contents Alert because you have opted in to receive it. You can change or discontinue your e-mail alerts at any time, by modifying your preferences on your nature.com account at: www.nature.com/nams/svc/myaccount (You will need to log in to be recognised as a nature.com registrant). For further technical assistance, please contact our registration department. For print subscription enquiries, please contact our subscription department. 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