Cell
-
Bacterial type VI secretion is an offensive and defensive weapon that utilizes a molecular warhead to inject toxins into neighboring cells. In this issue of Cell, Whitney et al. report a new class of toxin that disrupts the core metabolism of recipient cells and uncover a surprising requirement for EF-Tu.
-
Generation, transformation, and utilization of organic molecules in support of cellular differentiation, growth, and maintenance are basic tenets that define life. In eukaryotes, mitochondrial oxygen consumption plays a central role in these processes. ⋯ While ROS have long been appreciated for their damage-promoting, detrimental effects, there is now a greater understanding of their roles as signaling molecules. Here, we review mitochondrial ROS-mediated signaling pathways with an emphasis on how they are involved in various basal and adaptive physiological responses that control organismal homeostasis.
-
The most prevalent form of cystic fibrosis arises from an amino acid deletion in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR. A recently approved treatment for individuals homozygous for this mutation combines a chemical corrector, which helps CFTR fold, and a potentiator that increases CFTR channel activity.
-
This year's Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award honors Evelyn Witkin and Stephen J. Elledge, two pioneers in elucidating the DNA damage response, whose contributions span more than 40 years.
-
Nivolumab and pembrolizumab are monoclonal antibodies that block the programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1, CD279), resulting in dis-inhibition of tumor-specific immune responses. Both are recently approved for use in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, and nivolumab as well for non-small cell lung cancer.