Ferlins, such as dysferlin, myoferlin and otoferlin, are membrane proteins involved in calcium-dependent vesicle fusion, and how they interact with membranes remains a mystery.To determine the high-resolution structure of a human ferlin, Cretu et al. expressed and purified myoferlin and dysferlin; the proteins remained stable and capable of binding calcium and negatively charged lipids. Unlike earlier

Targeted protein degradation is a proven paradigm for advancing the fields of drug discovery, biochemical regulatory networks, and proteostasis. Although several targeting strategies exist, molecular glues — small molecules that stabilize endogenous or non-native protein–protein interactions — are enticing because of their versatility, high cellular uptake and desirable pharmacological properties.

Returning to Brazil to establish a research laboratory was a decision fueled by hope, resilience, and the desire to create impact, despite ongoing challenges. Choosing to invest in science at home demands a deep personal commitment and a realistic view of the opportunities and obstacles ahead.

Radial spokes link the doublet microtubules at the periphery of the cilium to the central pair complex at its core. The detailed morphology and function of the radial spoke 3 (RS3) complex was unknown, but a new study reports its structure and reveals its role in metabolism.

Cilia are microtubule-based organelles that have important roles in cell sensing, signaling and motility. Recent studies have revealed the atomic structures of many multicomponent ciliary complexes, elucidating their mechanisms of action. However, little is known about the structure, proteome and function of full-length radial spoke 3 (RS3), a conserved complex that transmits mechanochemical signals

We outline a pilot starting at several Nature Portfolio journals aimed at improving and standardizing the reporting of light and fluorescence microscopy experiments.

The ability of metazoan cells to remain attuned to challenging environmental cues such as temperature, osmotic and chemical stresses is essential for developmental resilience. To do so, cells use molecular pathways for stress response signaling. As one example, defective protein import into the mitochondria activates the stress response kinase HRI. In turn, HRI phosphorylates a translation initiation

Although translation is highly processive, ribosomes stall when they are defective or encounter damaged mRNAs. Stalled ribosomes collide with other ribosomes, leading to non-conventional splitting that leaves a large (60S) subunit with an arrested polypeptide (AP) chain attached to the P-site tRNA. Ribosome stalls occur in the cytosol and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). ER-APs consist of P-tRNA-60S

Germ granules contribute to the intergenerational transmission of small RNA-mediated silencing in germ cells. A study in Caenorhabditis elegans now investigates the function of the RNA helicase DDX-19 at the interface between the nuclear pore and the cytoplasmic germ granules.

We explain why we ask our authors to provide structural data prior to peer review.

Jerelle Joseph is an assistant professor at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Omenn–Darling Bioengineering Institute at Princeton University in New Jersey. We contacted Jerelle to learn about her research priorities, along with her thoughts about the biomolecular condensates field and how computational biology and molecular simulations can fuel discovery.