Feroz Papa: Saving cells from themselves

Feroz Papa: Saving cells from themselves

I n humans, IRE1 is central to one of three pathways that sense the presence of misfolded proteins in the ER, initiating early steps of the unfolded protein response (UPR). ER stress induces IRE1 multimerization and activation of its cytoplasmic RNase domain, which then cleaves the RNA encoding the transcription factor XBP1. This cleavage step allows XBP1's translation into protein so that it c...

Saving your rookie managers from themselves.

Rookie managers have a real knack for allowing immediate tasks to overshadow overarching initiatives. You've promoted your star performer into management. Now help him avoid the classic errors that beginners so often make.

Stem cells stand up for themselves

Adult stem cells are not pampered pushovers. O'Reilly et al. report that certain stem cells take charge of their surroundings, molding their environment to control their division and differentiation. Some stem cells are cosseted like newborns. Neighboring cells cradle them in a structure called the niche. The niche not only nurtures its charges, it also dictates their behavior, determining whet...

When cells make a meal of themselves

O ne function of prions, the Jekyll-and-Hyde proteins behind illnesses such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and mad cow disease, has been identifi ed by Khosravani et al. The proteins calm brain cells, preventing them from dying of over-excitement. Only when a prion folds incorrectly does it trigger brain-ravaging diseases like CJD. The normally shaped version, which all body cells carry, pr...

Saving lives, saving from death, saving from dying: reflections on 'over-valuing' identifiable victims.