Cell Biology

Optogenetic actin network assembly on lipid bilayer uncovers the network density-dependent functions of actin-binding proteins

1. Kei Yamamoto
2. Makito Miyazaki

Reviewed by Arcadia Science

A Commander-independent function of COMMD3 in endosomal trafficking

1. Galen T Squiers
2. Chun Wan
3. James Gorder
4. Harrison Puscher
5. Jingshi Shen

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This important study explores the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of cell surface protein levels. The authors present solid evidence to support their claims, though the addition of certain validation experiments could have further strengthened the conclusions. This work will be of particular interest to cell biologists focused on membrane trafficking.

Reviewed by eLife

The triad interaction of ULK1, ATG13, and FIP200 is required for ULK complex formation and autophagy

1. Yutaro Hama
2. Yuko Fujioka
3. Hayashi Yamamoto
4. Noboru Mizushima
5. Nobuo N Noda

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  Building on previous structural studies, this work provides valuable new insights into the architecture of the autophagy initiation complex, comprising ULK1, ATG13, and FIP200. The authors present their findings with solid supporting evidence, making this study a significant contribution to the autophagy field.

Reviewed by eLife

Reversible One-way Lipid Transfer at ER–Autophagosome Membrane Contact Sites via Bridge-like Lipid Transfer Protein Atg2

1. Li Hao
2. Tomoki Midorikawa
3. Yuta Ogasawara
4. Yutaro Hama
5. Huichao Lang
6. Nobuo N. Noda
7. Kuninori Suzuki

Reviewed by Review Commons

Secreted exosomes induce filopodia formation

1. Caitlin McAtee
2. Mikin Patel
3. Daisuke Hoshino
4. Bong Hwan Sung
5. Ariana von Lersner
6. Mingjian Shi
7. Nan Hyung Hong
8. Anna Young
9. Evan Krystofiak
10. Andries Zijlstra
11. Alissa M Weaver

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  In this important manuscript, the authors reveal novel findings on the role of exosomes in regulating filopodia formation. Filopodia are crucial for various cellular processes, including migration, polarization, directional sensing, and the formation of neuronal synapses. The authors convincingly demonstrate that exosomes, particularly those enriched with the protein THSD7A, play a significant role in promoting filopodia formation in both cancer cells and neurons.

Reviewed by eLife

Glucose-stimulated KIF5B-driven microtubule sliding organizes microtubule networks in mouse pancreatic β cells

1. Kai M Bracey
2. Margret A Fye
3. Alisa Cario
4. Kung-Hsien Ho
5. Pi'illani Noguchi
6. Guoqiang Gu
7. Irina Kaverina

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  In their valuable study, Bracey et al. investigate how microtubule organization within pancreatic islet beta cells supports optimal insulin secretion. Using a combination of live imaging and photo-kinetic assays in an in vitro culture system, they provide compelling evidence that kinesin-1-mediated microtubule sliding, which plays critical roles in neurons and embryos, also plays a critical role in forming the sub-membranous microtubule band in response to glucose in beta cells. This work will be of interest to cell biologists studying cytoskeletal dynamics and organelle trafficking, as well as to translational biologists focused on diabetes.

Reviewed by eLife

Morphological reprogramming of primary cilia length mitigates the fibrotic phenotype in fibroblasts across diverse fibrotic conditions

1. Priyanka Verma
2. Bharat Yalavarthi
3. Swati Bhattacharyya
4. Dinesh Khanna
5. Johann E. Gudjonsson
6. Lam C. Tsoi
7. Rebecca Wells
8. Rebecca L. Ross
9. Natalia Riobo-Del Galdo
10. Francesco Del Galdo
11. Sean M. Fortier
12. Maria E. Teves
13. John Varga
14. Dibyendu Bhattacharyya

Reviewed by Review Commons

Therapeutic effects of PDGF-AB/BB against cellular senescence in human intervertebral disc

1. Changli Zhang
2. Martha Elena Diaz-Hernandez
3. Takanori Fukunaga
4. Sreekala Shenoy
5. Sangwook Tim Yoon
6. Lisbet Haglund
7. Hicham Drissi

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This work demonstrates the therapeutic potential of recombinant human PDGF-AB/BB proteins in alleviating the senescent signatures of primary human intervertebral disc cells. The study represents a fundamental, significant advance in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration through the suppression of senescence. The strength of evidence supporting these conclusions is compelling, as it is primarily based on transcriptomic analysis and direct protein measurements from relatively homogeneous cell populations. This work will be of interest to spine basic scientists and clinicians, as well as to musculoskeletal scientists more broadly. The revised manuscript adds greater clarity, and the impact of the study is greatly enhanced.

Reviewed by eLife

JAK-STAT pathway activation compromises nephrocyte function in a Drosophila high-fat diet model of chronic kidney disease

1. Yunpo Zhao
2. Jianli Duan
3. Hannah Seah
4. Joyce van de Leemput
5. Zhe Han

• Curated by eLife

  eLife Assessment

  This study presents important new insights linking obesity to kidney disease using a Drosophila model. A series of compelling experiments demonstrate that a high-fat diet induces excretion of a leptin-like JAK-STAT ligand from fat body, driving the adipose-nephrocyte axis through activated JAK-STAT signaling and subsequently causing a functional defect in nephrocytes. The approach using combination of genetic tools and pharmacological intervention is solid and confirms the mechanistic link, together with phenotypic analysis that further supports the authors conclusions.

Reviewed by eLife

Melanocyte differentiation and mechanosensation are differentially modulated by distinct extracellular matrix proteins

1. Carole Luthold
2. Marie Didion
3. Vanessa Samira Rácz
4. Emilio Benedum
5. Ann-Kathrin Burkhart
6. Nina Demmerle
7. Evelyn Wirth
8. Gubesh Gunaratnam
9. Sudharshini Thangamurugan
10. Volkhard Helms
11. Markus Bischoff
12. Annika Ridzal
13. Sandra Iden

Reviewed by Review Commons