Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.012
Dipanwita Das,Victoria Sanz-Moreno
{"title":"Growth factor receptor corralling fuels persistent leader-bleb dynamics","authors":"Dipanwita Das,Victoria Sanz-Moreno","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.012","url":null,"abstract":"Jha et al.1 show that confined melanoma cells establish migratory polarity by restricting EGFR mobility at the bleb rear, using CD44 and ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) proteins as diffusion barriers rather than directional cues. These findings reveal a divergence from mesenchymal migration and prove that confinement alone can polarize a migrating cell.","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.005
Jiaqi Sun,Huanquan Zheng
{"title":"Between adaptation and cell death: An ER-localized transcription factor controls cell fate","authors":"Jiaqi Sun,Huanquan Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"Rooted in place, plants must continually balance adaptation and cell death under environmental stress. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Yang et al. demonstrate that NAC089, an ER-localized transcription factor, acts as a molecular switch that determines these alternative outcomes under different environmental conditions.","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":"35 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.009
Vittorio Sartorelli
{"title":"Skeletal muscle stem cells keep their lineage options open","authors":"Vittorio Sartorelli","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.009","url":null,"abstract":"Expression of Pax7 has been widely used as a hallmark of muscle stem cell identity, and genetic deletion of Pax7 compromises skeletal muscle regeneration. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Gioftsidi, Hayashi et al. use lineage-tracing approaches to report that other skeletal muscle cell types also express Pax7.1","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":"51 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09Epub Date: 2026-08-07DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.011
Yuqing He, Xiling Wang, Chen Su, Yufan Niu, Yumei Qin, Jiashuo Zhang, Lei Wang
{"title":"A thermoregulatory module for timekeeping in Arabidopsis.","authors":"Yuqing He, Xiling Wang, Chen Su, Yufan Niu, Yumei Qin, Jiashuo Zhang, Lei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Circadian clocks enable plants to predict temperature changes and adapt to the living climate, known as temperature entrainment and temperature compensation (TC), with largely unrevealed mechanisms. Here, we proposed that the circadian component PRR9 (PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 9) has evolved for thermal adaptation by acting as a hub factor in transmitting temperature input and maintaining TC. High temperature promotes PRR9 protein accumulation and triggers liquid-liquid phase separation, which not only directly inhibits the transcription level of CCA1 but also facilitates the recruitment of ALKBH9B to remove m<sup>6</sup>A installation and accelerates CCA1 mRNA degradation. Moreover, we proposed a phyB-PRR9 thermoregulatory module to transmit progressively rising temperature via temperature-dependent interacting compartment alteration that regulates the repressive phase and activity of PRR9. Our findings unmasked plants that possess intricate high-temperature sensing mechanisms for adaptation to warming climates, laying a foundation for engineering thermo-resilient crops.</p>","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":" ","pages":"1839-1854.e6"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148688594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.004
Hélène Martini,João F. Passos
{"title":"Senescent cells: Leaving cellular waste behind","authors":"Hélène Martini,João F. Passos","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"Cellular senescence is one of the best-studied biological programs, yet it continues to reveal unexpected aspects. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Durik et al.1 describe how senescent cells shed large cytoplasmic fragments that promote their survival and may represent a mechanism of communication with neighboring cells.","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":"156 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908799","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09Epub Date: 2026-08-28DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.001
Ling Li, Honghui Lin, Li-Jia Qu, Sheng Zhong
{"title":"Functional versatility of synergid cells in plant reproduction.","authors":"Ling Li, Honghui Lin, Li-Jia Qu, Sheng Zhong","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In flowering plants (angiosperms), the Polygonum-type embryo sac accounts for approximately 70% of the female gametophytes. It contains three antipodal cells, one central cell, one egg cell, and two synergid cells. Apart from the female gamete cells, the synergid cells play a key role in sexual reproduction. This review traces the origin and research history of synergid cells and summarizes the latest research progress in understanding their core functions in the angiosperm-specific siphonogamy. In particular, we discuss the diverse functions of synergid cells in pollen tube guidance, pollen tube reception, and fertilization recovery. We highlight how angiosperms guarantee fertility by regulating the timing and sequence of the synergid cell degeneration and persistence. Moreover, we discuss important unresolved scientific questions in synergid cell research and provide an outlook on future research directions.</p>","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":" ","pages":"1767-1777"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148850121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.006
Kyung Min Yim,Jin Young Huh,Jae Bum Kim
{"title":"Two HIFs, two fates: VHL-HIF signaling controls iNKT cell identity","authors":"Kyung Min Yim,Jin Young Huh,Jae Bum Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.006","url":null,"abstract":"Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells acquire effector identity during thymic development, yet how metabolic and signaling programs regulate iNKT cell fate remains unclear. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Li et al.1 elucidate that the VHL-HIF axis with HIF1α and HIF2α modulates survival and differentiation of iNKT cells.","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.8,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09Epub Date: 2026-08-11DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.015
Jinwoo Lee, Ahri Kim, Yideul Jeong, Eugene Choi, Tae Young Kim, Mariam Nabukenya, Daesik Kim, Jaecheol Lee, Gyu-Un Bae, Jong-Sun Kang
{"title":"Elongating human heart organoids recapitulate early cardiac morphogenesis and axial organization.","authors":"Jinwoo Lee, Ahri Kim, Yideul Jeong, Eugene Choi, Tae Young Kim, Mariam Nabukenya, Daesik Kim, Jaecheol Lee, Gyu-Un Bae, Jong-Sun Kang","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early heart development involves heart tube elongation, looping, and axial patterning, yet these processes remain difficult to study experimentally. While pluripotent stem cell-derived heart organoids model cardiomyocyte differentiation, they do not recapitulate early morphogenetic events. Here, we generate elongating heart organoids (EHOs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells that undergo coordinated elongation and looping-like curvature, resembling early cardiac morphogenesis. EHOs establish a venous-to-arterial axis with spatially organized sinus venosus-like, atrial, and ventricular cardiomyocytes, and exhibit sequential propagation of contractile activity along this axis. Single-cell transcriptomics and trajectory analyses, together with pulse-labeling, support a model in which progressive incorporation of cardiac cells from proliferative splanchnic mesodermal cells at the venous pole drives elongation of the cardiac structure. Consistent with in vivo phenotypes, TBX5 deletion results in shortened EHOs with reduced looping-like curvature and irregular contractions. Together, EHOs provide a human in vitro system that enables investigation of early cardiac morphogenesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":" ","pages":"1898-1914.e7"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148711647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-09-09Epub Date: 2026-08-28DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.002
Matej Durik, Mona Karout, Daniel Sampaio Gonçalves, Tania Knauer-Meyer, Coralie Spiegelhalter, Nadia Messaddeq, Marco Seehawer, Pauline Stephan, Dmitry V Bulavin, Yann Herault, Lars Zender, William M Keyes
{"title":"Senescent cells maintain viability through adhesion-dependent fragmentation that promotes debris deposition.","authors":"Matej Durik, Mona Karout, Daniel Sampaio Gonçalves, Tania Knauer-Meyer, Coralie Spiegelhalter, Nadia Messaddeq, Marco Seehawer, Pauline Stephan, Dmitry V Bulavin, Yann Herault, Lars Zender, William M Keyes","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.08.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cellular senescence is a state of stable arrest and secretion linked to aging and disease. Here, we identify that senescent cells dispose of large fragments through cell-to-cell adhesion, which we term \"senescent-cell adhesion fragments\" (SCAFs). Found in many senescent states, including human and mouse cells, and mouse tissues, SCAFs lack nuclear material but contain organelles, including damaged mitochondria. Disrupting adherens junctions decreases SCAF formation but induces senescent-cell death, due to an inability to shed damaged mitochondria. Live imaging and proteomics show that SCAFs ultimately rupture, releasing a complex proteome, including damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and proteins linked to neurodegenerative disease. Functionally, SCAFs activate wound-healing and cancer-related programs, promoting migration and invasion. Immunostaining also reveals amyloid-like material in senescent cells that can be externalized through fragmentation. Altogether, these findings identify a feature that facilitates senescent cell survival but also externally deposits damaged intracellular contents, with implications for cancer and neurodegeneration.</p>","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":" ","pages":"1789-1805.e8"},"PeriodicalIF":9.2,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148850093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Developmental cellPub Date : 2026-08-21DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.019
Stamatia Gioftsidi,Takuto Hayashi,Sidy Fall,Sabrina Jagot,Matthieu Dos Santos,Fabien Le Grand,Frederic Relaix,Philippos Mourikis
{"title":"Postnatal Pax7-expressing limb cells are multipotent and generate non-myogenic lineages that persist into adulthood","authors":"Stamatia Gioftsidi,Takuto Hayashi,Sidy Fall,Sabrina Jagot,Matthieu Dos Santos,Fabien Le Grand,Frederic Relaix,Philippos Mourikis","doi":"10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2026.07.019","url":null,"abstract":"Organs comprise diverse cell types originating from shared or distinct lineages. During embryogenesis, mesodermal Pax7+ progenitors give rise to skeletal muscle as well as non-muscle lineages like dermis and adipocytes. Here, we asked whether Pax7+ cells retain multipotency during early postnatal limb muscle growth. Lineage tracing in neonatal mice revealed unexpected early postnatal plasticity, yielding multiple non-myogenic lineages, including a previously unrecognized subpopulation of fibro-adipogenic progenitors, termed Pax7FAPs. Using mouse models, we demonstrated that Notch signaling primes neonatal Pax7+ cells toward a fibrogenic molecular identity, biasing their trajectory away from myogenesis. Long-term tracing confirmed that neonatally generated Pax7FAPs persist into adulthood. Furthermore, adult muscle injury triggered de novo generation of Pax7FAPs, which exhibited higher proliferative capacity than resident stromal cells. This postnatal Pax7+ multipotency reveals an additional cellular contribution to muscle development and regeneration.","PeriodicalId":11157,"journal":{"name":"Developmental cell","volume":"47 13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.8,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148768884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}