Journal of Cell Science, November 2009
Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is mediated by the integrin family of transmembrane receptors. Integrins link ECM ligands to the cytoskeleton, providing strong attachment to enable cell-shape change and tissue integrity. This connection is made possible by an intracellular complex of proteins, which links to actin filaments and controls signalling cascades that regulate cytoskeletal rearrangements. Scientists in the Brown Group have identified stress-fibre-associated focal adhesions that change their composition during tissue morphogenesis. Early expression of αPS1βPS integrin decreases the levels of the actin-nucleating factors Enabled, Diaphanous and profilin, as well as downregulating the amount of F-actin incorporated into the stress fibres. As follicle cells mature in their developmental pathway and become squamous, the integrin in the focal adhesions changes from PS1βPS to αPS2βPS. During the switch, stress fibres increase their length and change orientation, first changing by 90° and then reorienting back. The normal rapid reorientation requires new expression of αPS2βPS, which also permits recruitment of the adaptor protein tensin. Unexpectedly, it is the extracellular portion of the αPS2 subunit that provides the specificity for intracellular recruitment of tensin. Molecular variation of the integrin complex is thus a key component of developmentally programmed morphogenesis. More...

Nature, October 2009
Activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) by chromosomal translocations or point mutations is a frequent event in haematological malignancies. JAK2 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates several cellular processes by inducing cytoplasmic signalling cascades. Research undertaken in the Kouzarides Group shows that human JAK2 is present in the nucleus of haematopoietic cells and directly phosphorylates Tyr 41 (Y41) on histone H3. Heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1a), but not HP1 beta, specifically binds to this region of H3 through its chromo-shadow domain. Phosphorylation of H3Y41 by JAK2 prevents this binding. Inhibition of JAK2 activity in human leukaemic cells decreases both the expression of the haematopoietic oncogene lmo2 and the phosphorylation of H3Y41 at its promoter, while simultaneously increasing the binding of HP1a at the same site. These results identify a previously unrecognized nuclear role for JAK2 in the phosphorylation of H3Y41 and reveal a direct mechanistic link between two genes, jak2 and lmo2, involved in normal haematopoiesis and leukaemia. More...

Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, October 2009
The let-7 microRNA (miRNA) is an ultraconserved regulator of stem cell differentiation and developmental timing and a candidate tumor suppressor. Recent work in the Miska Group has shown that LIN-28 and the poly(U) polymerase PUP-2 regulate let-7 processing in Caenorhabditis elegans. We demonstrate that lin-28 is necessary and sufficient to block let-7 activity in vivo; LIN-28 directly binds let-7 pre-miRNA to prevent Dicer processing. Moreover, we have identified a poly(U) polymerase, PUP-2, which regulates the stability of LIN-28–blockaded let-7 pre-miRNA and contributes to LIN-28–dependent regulation of let-7 during development. We show that PUP-2 and LIN-28 interact directly, and that LIN-28 stimulates uridylation of let-7 pre-miRNA by PUP-2 in vitro. Our results demonstrate that LIN-28 and let-7 form an ancient regulatory switch, conserved from nematodes to humans, and provide insight into the mechanism of LIN-28 action in vivo. Uridylation by a PUP-2 ortholog might regulate let-7 and additional miRNAs in other species. Given the roles of Lin28 and let-7 in stem cell and cancer biology, we propose that such poly(U) polymerases are potential therapeutic targets. More...

Cell, October 2009
The Mre11/Rad50/Nbs1 protein complex plays central enzymatic and signaling roles in the DNA-damage response. Nuclease (Mre11) and scaffolding (Rad50) components of MRN have been extensively characterized, but the molecular basis of Nbs1 function has remained elusive. Work completed in the Smerdon lab (NIMR) and the Jackson lab (Gurdon Institute) has shown a 2.3Å crystal structure of the N-terminal region of fission yeast Nbs1, revealing an unusual but conserved architecture in which the FHA- and BRCT-repeat domains structurally coalesce. We demonstrate that diphosphorylated pSer-Asp-pThr-Asp motifs, recently identified as multicopy docking sites within Mdc1, are evolutionarily conserved Nbs1 binding targets. Furthermore, we show that similar phosphomotifs within Ctp1, the fission yeast ortholog of human CtIP, promote interactions with the Nbs1 FHA domain that are necessary for Ctp1-dependent resistance to DNA damage. Finally, we establish that human Nbs1 interactions with Mdc1 occur through both its FHA- and BRCT-repeat domains, suggesting how their structural and functional interdependence underpins Nbs1 adaptor functions in the DNA-damage response. More...

Congratulations to Professor Sir John Gurdon and Professor Shinya Yamanaka (Kyoto University), joint winners of the 2009 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award, for their ground-breaking work in the field of nuclear reprogramming. This fundamental science provided the platform for modern stem cell research, and revealed the potential for personalised cell-replacement therapies in the future. More...

Congratulations to Professor Steve Jackson - winner of BBSRC's inaugural 'Innovator of the year' award. The award honours the UK bioscientist who has excelled in turning world-class research into a product, company, service or advice to have an impact on our lives. The 2009 award has been given in recognition of Steve's work in developing cancer therapies. (Jackson Group)

See also:
• BBSRC press release
• University news page