Ambros V (2001) Science "Development. Dicing up RNAs."

Ambros V

[Science, 2001]

RNA molecules are a constant source of joy to molecular biologists: They come in all shapes and sizes, and perform diverse informational, structural, and catalytic tricks in living cells. Perhaps less appreciated is their facility for regulating gene expression. Small regulatory RNAs figure prominently in two fascinating phenomena: gene inactivation by RNA interference (RNAi), and the control of gene expression during development.

Louis T et al. (2014) Cell "Neurons and behavior: ex uno, plures."

Louis T, Tomchik SM

[Cell, 2014]

Li et al. demonstrate that a single interneuron can regulate analog- and digital-like behaviors guided by two different postsynaptic neurons. Releasing a single neurotransmitter onto downstream neurons that express receptors with distinct biophysical properties enables a small set of neurons to direct a range of functional responses.

Hengartner MO (2001) Nature "Apoptosis. DNA destroyers."

Hengartner MO

[Nature, 2001]

The degredation of DNA is one of the hallmarks of programmed cell death (apoptosis). When forced to commit suicide, apoptotic cells - like good secret agents - grimly destroy their "instruction book," chewing up their genomic DNA into tiny morsels. Until now, only two DNA-destroying enzymes (nucleases) with a clear role in cell death were known, one in mammals and one in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans. But, on pages 90-99 of this issue, Li and colleagues and Parrish and co-workers show that another nuclease, endonuclease G (endoG), also contributes to the carnage, and might even influence the likelihood that a cell will live or die.