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Yonatan Stelzer highlights a landmark work from the lab of Howard Cedar that addresses how genome-wide DNA methylation patterns are established and instructed by the DNA sequence.
Organelles are normally transmitted to progeny exclusively through the maternal germ line. Chung et al. now describe genetic and environmental factors that increase the inheritance of plastids through pollen.
Selective autophagy engages several cargo receptors that target specific, potentially toxic, content (damaged organelles, protein aggregates, pathogens) for lysosomal degradation. Understanding of the mechanisms governing this process in mammals has expanded in recent years, opening the prospects for enhancing selective autophagy to boost cellular quality control capabilities.
Microautophagy involves direct engulfment of cytoplasmic components, including proteins and organelles, by lysosomes and late endosomes for degradation. Although it is one of three main types of autophagy — along with macroautophagy and chaperone-mediated autophagy — its mechanisms and physiological roles have only recently begun to emerge.
Integrator is the only metazoan-specific RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-associated large multisubunit complex. Processing of non-coding RNAs by Integrator is essential for their biogenesis, and, at protein-coding genes, Integrator regulates Pol II promoter-proximal pausing and elongation. Consequently, Integrator has diverse roles in development and tumorigenesis.
Cell competition results in stochastic cell turnover or elimination of less fit cells from a tissue. Although cell competition generally supports tissue development and homeostasis, it can also promote malignant growth and is subverted during ageing. Addressing how cell fitness is determined and sensed is being actively pursued.
