Size flips symmetry switch

Drs2 flips the phospholipid switch

Drs2 flips the phospholipid switch T he protein Drs2 flips phospholipids between membrane layers. Xu et al. identify which phospholipid the protein relocates to allow transport between the transGolgi network and the early endosome. Drs2 commutes from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) to the early endosome (EE) and then back again. Without Drs2, cells can’t ship proteins along this route. The molecu...

Quorum sensing "flips" the acetate switch.

GUEST COMMENTARY Quorum Sensing “Flips” the Acetate Switch

The term “acetate switch” refers to the transition from acetate production (dissimilation) to acetate utilization (assimilation). Best studied with the enteric bacterium Escherichia coli, the acetate switch takes place as cells deplete their environment of acetate-producing (acetogenic) carbon sources, such as D-glucose or L-serine, and begin to scavenge for the previously produced and excreted...

An atomic symmetry-controlled thermal switch

We propose a simple diatomic system trapped inside an optical cavity to control the energy flow between two thermal baths. Through the action of the baths the system is driven to a non-equilibrium steady state. Using the Large Deviation theory we show that the number of photons flowing between the two baths is dramatically different depending on the symmetry of the atomic states. Here we presen...

Sexual Behavior: How Sex Peptide Flips the Postmating Switch of Female Flies

Drosophila male Sex Peptide elicits an amazing variety of postmating responses in mated females, some of which are transmitted via a receptor on specific neurons of the female genital tract. New work shows that neurons expressing the sex-determination gene doublesex (dsx) play a pivotal role in the female postmating switch.