EMBO Reports - Table of Contents alert Volume 12 Issue 12, pp 1205-1305

TABLE OF CONTENTS December 2011 | Volume 12, Issue 12 Upfront Science & Society Review Scientific Reports Also new AOP Sign up for e-alerts Recommend to your library Web feed Subscribe Upfront Top Editorial The hitchhiker's guide to E. coli The threat posed by pathogenic strains of E. coli hit the headlines around the globe last summer. Howy argues that a wider perspective is needed, to combat this and similar dangers to public health. The 'reputation' of a much-valued experimental organism is also at stake. Howy Jacobs EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1205; 10.1038/embor.2011.214 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 01 December 2011 Subject Categories: Evolution, Environment & Agriculture | Health & Disease Opinion Algorithms and surrogate markers in translational research Diagnostic tests to measure pathological aberrations help physicians to make diagnoses. Indirect, so-called surrogate markers have even greater potential to improve diagnostic and clinical tests, if used within a smart framework. Paul van Helden EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1206; 10.1038/embor.2011.215 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 18 November 2011 Subject Categories: Health & Disease Hot off the Press Wnts need a p(assport)24 to leave the ER Wnts are secreted through a dedicated exocytic pathway, which has been only partly characterized. Here, Palmer and colleagues comment on two recent reports by the groups of K. Basler and M. Boutros, respectively, in which they show that p24 proteins take part in this exocytic route and are required for Wnt exit from the ER to the Golgi. Lucy Palmer, Jean-Paul Vincent and Karen Beckett EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1207 - 1208; 10.1038/embor.2011.222 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 18 November 2011 Subject Categories: Development | Membranes & Transport Pol II caught speeding by single gene imaging Different studies using various techniques have estimated the elongation rate of RNA Pol II to range between 1 and 6 kb/min. Here, Cannon and Chubb comment on a report published online this month in which A. Marcello and colleagues show that Pol II speed is not only variable but can be as high as 100 kb/min. Danielle Cannon and Jonathan R Chubb EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1208 - 1210; 10.1038/embor.2011.217 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 18 November 2011 Subject Categories: Chromatin & Transcription | RNA Meeting Point Protein phosphatases, from molecules to networks The Europhosphatases meeting brought together 180 participants with a wide range of backgrounds and research interests to discuss the current status of research on phosphatases. This report highlights some of the transformative research presented at the meeting. Anne-Claude Gingras EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1211 - 1213; 10.1038/embor.2011.225 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 18 November 2011 Subject Categories: Signal Transduction | Proteins | Cellular Metabolism Protein synthesis and translational control: at eye level with the ribosome At the EMBO Conference on ‘Protein Synthesis and Translational Control’, scientists shared their latest findings on the structure and function of the ribosome, mRNA-specific regulation of translation, and the numerous quality control mechanisms that ensure accurate protein synthesis. Kathrin Leppek, Johanna Schott and Georg Stoecklin EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1214 - 1216; 10.1038/embor.2011.224 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 11 November 2011 Subject Categories: Proteins | RNA Science & Society Top Outlook Teaching and textbooks Jocelyn Krebs, the lead author of the textbook Genes, talks to EMBO reports about textbooks in the digital age and educating biology students to become scientists. EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1217 - 1220; 10.1038/embor.2011.216 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 11 November 2011 Subject Categories: Scientific Training & Careers The ubiquity of consciousness Our definitions of consciousness and intelligence are largely anthropocentric, potentially skewing research. In fact, consciousness in its many forms could well be ubiquitous, even down to the simplest of organisms. Anthony J Trewavas and František Baluška EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1221 - 1225; 10.1038/embor.2011.218 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 18 November 2011 Subject Categories: Evolution, Environment & Agriculture Feature Will we wake up to biodiversity? Looking back on the International Year of Biodiversity, some conservationists hope that it has raised awareness, if nothing else. Even so, many scientists remain pessimistic about our efforts to halt biodiversity decline. Howard Wolinsky EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1226 - 1229; 10.1038/embor.2011.220 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 18 November 2011 Subject Categories: Evolution, Environment & Agriculture | Societal Issues & Politics | Science Policy & Funding A new target for personalized medicine Epigenetics research is racing ahead to address questions about short-term adaptation to environmental changes. It might also open new therapeutic options for diseases such as cancer or diabetes. Philip Hunter EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1229 - 1232; 10.1038/embor.2011.219 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 11 November 2011 Subject Categories: Health & Disease | Evolution, Environment & Agriculture Review Top Review Superinfection in malaria: Plasmodium shows its iron will In infants that don't yet have immunity to malaria, blood-stage parasitaemia was recently shown to impair the growth of a subsequent infection of liver cells. The impact that protection from superinfection has for malaria control and how iron redistribution could influence anaemia and non-Plasmodium co-infections is discussed. Sílvia Portugal, Hal Drakesmith and Maria M Mota EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1233 - 1242; 10.1038/embor.2011.213 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 11 November 2011 Subject Categories: Microbiology & Pathogens | Immunology Scientific Reports Top Mutability of prions Prions are shown to be mutable, and prion substrains have distinct mutation capacity. However, even clones that seem virtually immutable change when the environmental conditions are altered. Mutability is thus a prion substrain-specific attribute. Jiali Li, Sukhvir P Mahal, Cheryl A Demczyk and Charles Weissmann EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1243 - 1250; 10.1038/embor.2011.191 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 14 October 2011 Subject Categories: Proteins | Molecular Biology of Disease | Molecular Evolution CD8αα and -αβ isotypes are equally recruited to the immunological synapse through their ability to bind to MHC class I This study uses BiFC to show that CD8αα and -αβ are recruited to the immunological synapse equally well. Recruitment of the two CD8 species correlates with their relative binding to the available ligands, rather than with their co-receptor functions. Vasily Rybakin, Jean-Pierre Clamme, Jeanette Ampudia, Pia P Yachi and Nicholas R J Gascoigne EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1251 - 1256; 10.1038/embor.2011.209 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 11 November 2011 Subject Categories: Immunology A proteasome-dependent, TAP-independent pathway for cross-presentation of phagocytosed antigen This study describes a new route of cross-presentation of phagocytized antigens and shows that phagosomes-but not endosomes-seem to have a TAP-independent mechanism to import peptides generated by cytosolic proteasome complexes. Nawel Merzougui, Roland Kratzer, Loredana Saveanu and Peter van Endert EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1257 - 1264; 10.1038/embor.2011.203 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 28 October 2011 Subject Categories: Immunology p24 proteins are required for secretion of Wnt ligands Wnt proteins are signalling molecules that follow a dedicated secretory pathway. The authors here identify novel components of this pathway, providing evidence that p24 proteins act as cargo receptors in an anterograde secretory route for Wnts. Tina Buechling, Varun Chaudhary, Kerstin Spirohn, Matthias Weiss and Michael Boutros EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1265 - 1272; 10.1038/embor.2011.212 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 18 November 2011 Subject Categories: Development | Membranes & Transport Dictyostelium chemotaxis: essential Ras activation and accessory signalling pathways for amplification This study identifies a basal signalling module that activates Ras at the Dictyostelium leading edge, which is sufficient for chemotaxis. PI3K, TorC2, PLA2 and sGC are not required for Ras activation and chemotaxis to folate or steep cAMP gradients, but they increase chemotaxis sensitivity in shallow cAMP gradients. Arjan Kortholt, Rama Kataria, Ineke Keizer-Gunnink, Wouter N Van Egmond, Ankita Khanna and Peter J M Van Haastert EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1273 - 1279; 10.1038/embor.2011.210 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 11 November 2011 Subject Categories: Signal Transduction Fast transcription rates of RNA polymerase II in human cells RNA polymerase II elongation has been estimated to occur at a rate of 1–5 kb min−1 in mammalian cells. The authors now find that the rate of elongation can surpass 50 kb min−1 and propose that RNA polymerase II displays a wider than expected dynamic range of velocities during transcription. Paolo Maiuri, Anna Knezevich, Alex De Marco, Davide Mazza, Anna Kula, Jim G McNally and Alessandro Marcello EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1280 - 1285; 10.1038/embor.2011.196 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 21 October 2011 Subject Categories: Chromatin & Transcription | RNA Analysis of substrate specificity of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Mag1 alkylpurine DNA glycosylase DNA glycosylases with high structural similarities recognize very different substrates by unknown mechanisms. The authors show that one residue involved in DNA contact provides substrate specificity as exchange of this residue between different Mag glycosylase orthologs also exchange their activity towards epsilon-A DNA damage. Suraj Adhikary and Brandt F Eichman EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1286 - 1292; 10.1038/embor.2011.189 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 30 September 2011 Subject Categories: Structural Biology | Genome Stability & Dynamics AMIGO is an auxiliary subunit of the Kv2.1 potassium channel This report identifies AMIGO, a neuronal adhesion protein, as an auxiliary subunit of the voltage-dependent potassium channel Kv2.1 and thus provides novel insights into regulation of neuronal excitability. Marjaana A Peltola, Juha Kuja-Panula, Sari E Lauri, Tomi Taira and Heikki Rauvala EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1293 - 1299; 10.1038/embor.2011.204 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 04 November 2011 Subject Categories: Membranes & Transport | Neuroscience Mechanistic implications for LDL receptor degradation from the PCSK9/LDLR structure at neutral pH PCSK9, a downregulator of the LDL receptor, is a key target for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The crystal structure of PCSK9 bound to the LDL receptor reveals that PCSK9 holds the receptor in a novel extended conformation, probably interfering with conformational changes required for LDL receptor recycling. Paola Lo Surdo, Matthew J Bottomley, Alessandra Calzetta, Ethan C Settembre, Agostino Cirillo, Shilpa Pandit, Yan G Ni, Brian Hubbard, Ayesha Sitlani and Andrea Carfí EMBO reports (2011), 12, 1300 - 1305; 10.1038/embor.2011.205 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 11 November 2011 Subject Categories: Membranes & Transport | Molecular Biology of Disease | Structural Biology 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. 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