BIOCHEMISTRY: Some Like It Hot

Thermosensation: Some like it hot

The ability of organisms to respond to fluctuating temperatures is ubiquitous but poorly understood. Recent studies of nematodes reveal specific sensory neurons and interneurons that mediate thermotaxis.

Some don't like it hot.

Some like it hot: lymphoma radioimmunotherapy.

Radioimmunotherapy (RIT or RAIT) dates back more than 2 decades and has evolved to encompass a variety of tumorseeking antibodies in various forms, with different radionuclides, different delivery methods, for different clinical indications (usually advanced disease).1 Although selective antibody targeting has been demonstrated, the radiation doses delivered have been insufficient to markedly i...

Fungal Morphogenesis: Some Like It Hot

The ability to reversibly convert between budding yeast-like and filamentous hyphal forms is important for the virulence of Candida albicans. A new study now provides insight into the relationship between environmental temperature and the signalling mechanisms that regulate morphogenesis in this fungal pathogen.

Do some corals like it hot?

Global increases in sea temperatures threaten coral reef resilience because thermal stress can cause corals to bleach; that is, to lose their photosynthetic microalgal symbionts. Recent evidence suggests that some corals associate with genotypes of microalgae that resist future thermal stress, however, these genotypes might provide less energy for growth when thermal stresses are curtailed. Cor...