{"title":"Mapping the human female reproductive tract","authors":"Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Seungbaek Lee","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-01989-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-01989-7","url":null,"abstract":"A study by He et al. shows that human female upper and lower reproductive tract identities are specified by distinct niches to establish compartment-specific signalling. These WNT- and IGF-driven programs instruct epithelial differentiation into columnar and squamous lineages and co-ordinate immune maturation during development.","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 7","pages":"1347-1348"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148372712","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}
{"title":"Primate neurons with special signalling logic","authors":"Roman A. Romanov","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-01978-w","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-01978-w","url":null,"abstract":"Von Economo neurons are linked to higher cognition but remain poorly understood. A study now combines Patch-seq and transcriptomics in macaques to define their molecular identity, diversity and signal-processing properties, identifying convergent specialization of projection neurons.","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 8","pages":"1606-1607"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148372711","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}
{"title":"An atlas of primate insular cortex reveals a signal-processing strategy in von Economo neurons","authors":"Rui-Feng Liu, Mengyao Huang, Yuhui Shen, Mingting Shao, Junzhan Jing, Nana Xu, Lei Tang, Biaodi Liu, Jianming Shi, Fanrui Chen, Zhao-Zhe Hao, Xiaolong Jiang, Sheng Liu","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-02009-4","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-02009-4","url":null,"abstract":"The anterior insular cortex (AIC) is a critical hub integrating exteroceptive and interoceptive information into high-order cognition, yet its neural basis remains incompletely understood. Here, by combining whole-cell-based single-cell transcriptomics with Patch-seq recordings, we resolved and characterized 78 detailed cell types in the macaque AIC, revealing the diversity and specialization of this region in cell type, connectivity profile, signal-processing strategy and metabolic characteristics. Among these, we identified two transcriptomically and morphoelectrically defined von Economo neuron (VEN) subtypes, DSG2-expressing VEN-L and POC5-expressing VEN-S, transcriptomically relating to extratelencephalic and corticothalamic projection neurons, respectively. We also uncovered a previously underappreciated signal-processing strategy by VENs, whereby the geometry of the dendrite-originating axon reshapes action potential dynamics and enhances somatic responsiveness to deep-layer synaptic inputs. Our multimodal atlas establishes a molecular and functional framework for investigating the circuit principles underlying cognitive processes in the primate AIC. Liu, Huang, Shen, Shao, Jing and collaborators combine single-cell transcriptomics with Patch-seq and metabolomics to dissect primate anterior insular cortex. They identify two von Economo neuron (VEN) subtypes and a VEN signal-processing strategy.","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 8","pages":"1742-1757"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41556-026-02009-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148372709","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Learning from stem cell-based embryo models","authors":"","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-02018-3","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-02018-3","url":null,"abstract":"Efforts to construct stem cell-based embryo models are thriving, with numerous potential implications for basic and translational research. We now introduce a Collection of articles that highlight recent achievements, grapple with ethical matters and provide guidance.","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 7","pages":"1345-1345"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41556-026-02018-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148365162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Why the temporal dimension matters in cellular signalling","authors":"Shuai Yang, Fan Jin","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-02006-7","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-02006-7","url":null,"abstract":"Temporal encoding of signalling dynamics is not just widespread; it offers a fundamental information-theoretic advantage in cellular communication. Recent advances in channel capacity measurement and decoding of second-messenger networks now provide a predictive framework linking temporal codes to differential gene regulation.","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 8","pages":"1599-1605"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148361709","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}
{"title":"Transcription factor condensates as storage","authors":"Lizhen Chen, Zhijie Liu","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-01992-y","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-01992-y","url":null,"abstract":"A study shows that TEAD1 can form both active and inactive condensates. Small condensates at enhancers or promoters promote transcription, whereas large condensates at pericentromeric heterochromatin act as storage depots, buffering excess TEAD1 and adding a new layer of transcriptional regulation through spatial sequestration.","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 7","pages":"1349-1351"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148352748","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}
{"title":"Mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum contact sites as hubs where mitochondria acquire iron","authors":"","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-02008-5","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-02008-5","url":null,"abstract":"The exact routes and mechanisms of iron acquisition by mitochondria are unclear. We identify mitochondria–endoplasmic reticulum contact sites as an iron supply hub and reveal that the mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase MITOL regulates HMOX2 activity, to enable delivery of haem-derived iron to sustain mitochondrial iron homeostasis.","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 7","pages":"1354-1355"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148335992","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}
Masanori Nakayama, Akiko Nakayama, Max van Lessen, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Sarah Hoffmann, Hannes C. A. Drexler, Norimichi Itoh, Tomonori Hirose, Georg Breier, Dietmar Vestweber, Jonathan A. Cooper, Shigeo Ohno, Kozo Kaibuchi, Ralf H. Adams
{"title":"Author Correction: Spatial regulation of VEGF receptor endocytosis in angiogenesis","authors":"Masanori Nakayama, Akiko Nakayama, Max van Lessen, Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Sarah Hoffmann, Hannes C. A. Drexler, Norimichi Itoh, Tomonori Hirose, Georg Breier, Dietmar Vestweber, Jonathan A. Cooper, Shigeo Ohno, Kozo Kaibuchi, Ralf H. Adams","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-02019-2","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-02019-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 8","pages":"1773-1773"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41556-026-02019-2.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148335991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yipeng Xie, Jun Yi Stanley Lim, Wenyue Liu, Collin Gilbreath, Xiaohui Sun, Kailiang Qiao, Yoon Jung Kim, Sihan Wu
{"title":"Cis and trans regulatory mechanisms of extrachromosomal DNA segregation","authors":"Yipeng Xie, Jun Yi Stanley Lim, Wenyue Liu, Collin Gilbreath, Xiaohui Sun, Kailiang Qiao, Yoon Jung Kim, Sihan Wu","doi":"10.1038/s41556-026-01982-0","DOIUrl":"10.1038/s41556-026-01982-0","url":null,"abstract":"Extrachromosomal DNAs (ecDNAs) attach to chromosomes during mitosis for random segregation and promote cancer heterogeneity. However, the mechanism governing ecDNA–chromosome mitotic interactions remains poorly understood. Here we show that ecDNAs tether to histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac)-marked chromatin during mitosis. Depleting H3K27ac disrupts this interaction. Diverse bromodomain proteins, as H3K27ac readers, stabilize ecDNA–chromosome binding in a context-dependent and complementary manner. Although disrupting the Mediator complex in asynchronous cells detaches ecDNAs from mitotic chromosomes, Mediator and active Pol II are absent from ecDNAs during mitosis, suggesting that ecDNAs are transcriptionally silent during mitosis. Instead, inactive Pol II mediates ecDNA attachment. Furthermore, CRISPR interference targeting transcriptional regulatory elements on ecDNA impairs ecDNA segregation. Mis-segregated ecDNAs were expelled into the cytosol, leading to diminished oncogene expression and a reversal of therapy resistance. Our research provides universal cis and trans regulatory mechanisms of ecDNA segregation, offering deeper insight into ecDNA-driven oncogenesis. Xie et al. demonstrate that extrachromosomal DNA tethering to mitotic chromosomes is in part mediated by H3K27ac-marked chromatin, associated chromatin binders and transcription-associated cofactors.","PeriodicalId":18977,"journal":{"name":"Nature Cell Biology","volume":"28 7","pages":"1453-1463"},"PeriodicalIF":22.7,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.nature.comhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41556-026-01982-0.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148305453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}