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A cellular path to necrosis. Degterev et al. identify (p. 112) a small molecule that specifically inhibits death - induced necrosis, suggesting that a precise cellular pathway leads to necrotic cell death (see also News & Views by Wallach, p 68). Cover art by Erin Boyle based on electron micrographs provided by Junying Yuan.
Small molecules have critical roles at all levels of biological complexity and yet remain orphans of the central dogma. Chemical biologists, working with small molecules, expand our understanding of these central elements of life.
Retroviruses have a stretch of RNA that dimerizes during viral particle formation. A new study suggests that RNA flexibility in the monomeric form may facilitate dimerization or other RNA-dependent viral functions.
Apoptosis occurs through precise cellular pathways, whereas necrosis is generally thought of as a nonspecific cellular response to external damage. However, identification of a chemical inhibitor of necrotic events suggests that specific molecular pathways can also trigger necrosis.
Identification of endogenous glycan-binding ligands for cell-surface receptors has been difficult. Incorporation of a photoactive sialic acid analog into B-cell surface glycoproteins suggests that CD22 molecules may cluster by binding carbohydrate antigens on neighboring CD22 molecules.
Prenylation represents a critical step in the biosynthesis of many natural products. A new study reveals how aromatic prenyltransferase enzymes tolerate diverse aromatic polyketides while still controlling the length of prenyl side chains.