{"title":"Repair pathway choice at dysfunctional telomeres.","authors":"Abigail Gillespie, Joe Nassour","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2026.04.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2026.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Telomere crisis contributes to cancer genome evolution. Beyond the loss of end protection, replication defects at short telomeres give rise to aberrant fork intermediates that can be resolved by microhomology-mediated end joining. Such mutagenic repair yields chromosomal fusions and complex rearrangements that shape cancer genomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147864822","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":"Stress-induced breakup: tRNA-derived small RNAs in biology.","authors":"Guoping Li, Tian Hao, Pavel Ivanov, Saumya Das","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2026.04.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2026.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The cleavage of full-length transfer RNAs generates functional small RNAs called tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs or tDRs). This review synthesizes recent advances in our understanding of tDRs, summarizing the molecular mechanisms of their biogenesis and illuminating their function in modulating pathways important in the cellular stress response. Key structural motifs appear to be critical determinants of tDR function by modulating binding to partner proteins and RNAs. Finally, the role of tDRs in the pathogenesis of various diseases and the feasibility of targeting them with novel molecular tools are discussed. In summary, tDRs are an evolutionarily conserved class of small RNAs important for the cellular response to stress and are emerging as a promising target for human diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147857561","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":"Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) ubiquitin ligases: substrate recognition and emerging cellular functions.","authors":"Qing Zhao, Zai-Rong Zhang, Yihong Ye, Yanfen Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2026.04.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcb.2026.04.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident ubiquitin ligases are essential to cellular homeostasis and diverse signaling pathways, functioning in protein quality control, lipid metabolism, innate immunity, and interorganelle communication. While best known for their roles in ER-associated degradation (ERAD) of misfolded proteins, accumulating evidence shows that they also mediate the regulated turnover of functional ER proteins and contribute to ER-phagy, thereby expanding their roles in ER homeostasis. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding substrate recognition mechanisms employed by ER ubiquitin ligases and how these enzymes coordinate ERAD and ER-phagy, with a primary focus on mammalian systems. We further discuss their roles in ER homeostasis and immune responses, and how their dysregulation contributes to diseases such as neurodegeneration and immune disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147857558","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}
Trends in Cell BiologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-10-17DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2025.09.004
Markus Damme, Océane Guelle, Christian Löw, Bruno Gasnier
{"title":"Roles of lysosomal small-molecule transporters in metabolism and signaling.","authors":"Markus Damme, Océane Guelle, Christian Löw, Bruno Gasnier","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.09.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lysosomes degrade damaged or unwanted cell/tissue components and recycle their building blocks through small-molecule transporters of the lysosomal membrane. They also act as signaling hubs that sense and signal internal cues, such as amino acids, to coordinate cell responses. Recently, the activity of several lysosomal metabolite transporters has been elucidated, bringing new insights into lysosomal functions. Cell biological and structural studies of lysosomal transporters have also highlighted their roles in recruiting signaling complexes to lysosomes and delineated how their substrates gate such hybrid transporter/receptor, or 'transceptor', function. In this review, we summarize recent progress in our understanding of lysosomal transporters, with a focus on the export of lysosomal degradation intermediates, the existence of lysosomal amino acid shuttles that regulate the redox state and pH of the lysosomal lumen, and the role of lysosomal transceptors in nutrient and immune signaling.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"392-403"},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318921","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}
Trends in Cell BiologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-09-19DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2025.08.007
Shengduo Liu, Ailian Wang, Chen Chen, Pinglong Xu
{"title":"Organelle-specific signaling of cGAS-STING.","authors":"Shengduo Liu, Ailian Wang, Chen Chen, Pinglong Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.08.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.08.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Innate immune sensing through cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) surveils cytosolic DNA from invading pathogens or damaged organelles and initiates a spectrum of immune responses. It is well established that upon 2'3'-cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) binding, STING exits the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), traverses the Golgi to trigger interferon programs, and finally reaches lysosomes for signal resolution through degradation, revealing a tightly choreographed itinerary for cytokine-driven immunity. However, emerging studies reveal additional layers of spatiotemporal complexity: ER-resident STING tunes in messenger RNA translation and Ca<sup>2+</sup> efflux, Golgi-localized STING functions as a proton channel that initiates H<sup>+</sup>-dependent autophagy and transcription factor EB-directed programs for organelle homeostasis, and various mechanisms for metabolic remodeling and cell fate determination. This review synthesizes emerging organelle-specific mechanisms of cGAS-STING, delineates their roles in physiology and disease, and discusses how an organelle-centric perspective may inform selective, context-sensitive immunotherapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"355-376"},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145102705","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}
Trends in Cell BiologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-06-09DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2025.05.003
Massimo M Santoro
{"title":"The intersection between metabolism and translation through a subcellular lens.","authors":"Massimo M Santoro","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.05.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.05.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The crosstalk between metabolism and mRNA translation (protein synthesis) is crucial for modulating cellular physiology. Signals from metabolic pathways or various metabolic states can influence multiple aspects of RNA biology and translation machinery. In turn, cells can reprogram their metabolism by controlling mRNA translation. Current studies have revealed that localized mRNA translation is specifically regulated by distinct metabolic states, suggesting the existence of specialized subcellular machinery that coordinates this interplay. This review aims to explore recent discoveries and provide an overview of the specialized methodologies developed in recent years on novel modes of translation-metabolism cross-regulation by subcellular localized cues. Spatial compartmentalization, especially in the context of metabolism and mRNA translation, offers a unique advantage, providing a novel mechanism for cellular regulation and function.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"404-422"},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144267960","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}
Trends in Cell BiologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-05-06DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2025.04.003
Simone Di Giovanni
{"title":"The neuronal-like behaviour of macrophages.","authors":"Simone Di Giovanni","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.04.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.04.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tissue-resident macrophages (TRMs) contribute to both organ physiology and pathology by communicating with the nervous system and tissue-resident cells. They have been increasingly reported to be extremely plastic and adaptable, as shown by their broad range of molecular signatures and functional roles well beyond their classical duties as phagocytes. It has recently been found that macrophages can reside in proximity to muscle spindles, which are sensory neurons sensing muscle length. Surprisingly muscle spindle macrophages express neuron-like gene expression signatures and support muscle contraction by releasing glutamate. This behaviour is more in keeping with neurons rather than immune cells. Here, the potential additional roles for muscle spindle macrophages in muscle contraction and locomotion at homeostasis and in disease states will be discussed. It will also be debated whether the use of neurotransmitters by myeloid cells as shared currency to optimise cell to cell communication, to favour neural circuit development, homeostasis and repair is an exception or could rather be the rule.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"343-354"},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144065046","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}
Trends in Cell BiologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-07-07DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2025.05.006
Garis Grant, Christina M Ferrer
{"title":"The role of the immune tumor microenvironment in shaping metastatic dissemination, dormancy, and outgrowth.","authors":"Garis Grant, Christina M Ferrer","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.05.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tcb.2025.05.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a dynamic and complex ecosystem composed of cancer cells and diverse non-malignant cell types, including immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Once viewed as passive bystanders, these host cells are now recognized as active participants in tumor progression, especially during metastasis. The TME varies by organ, cancer type, and disease stage, and shapes the trajectory of cancer progression. Among the immune cells in the TME, macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells play especially crucial and context-dependent roles - either promoting or inhibiting metastatic spread depending on the tumor stage, immune cell phenotypic states, and interactions. In this review we focus on the multifaceted contributions of these key immune populations across the major stages of the metastatic cascade: initiation, survival in the circulation, dissemination, dormancy, and reactivation. These insights highlight the heterogeneity of the metastatic immune microenvironment and underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells to combat metastatic disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"377-391"},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144593005","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}
Trends in Cell BiologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-03-11DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2026.02.001
Alexander M Ille, Christopher Markosian, Renata Pasqualini, Wadih Arap
{"title":"Decoding and deciphering a subcellular ZIP code system.","authors":"Alexander M Ille, Christopher Markosian, Renata Pasqualini, Wadih Arap","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2026.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tcb.2026.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Proteins contain unique sequences that direct localization within cells, forming a subcellular 'ZIP code' system. Kilgore et al. recently developed an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) approach for predicting protein subcellular localization. Internalizing phage display, together with other current experimental methods, may be applicable alongside AI/ML approaches for profiling the subcellular ZIP code system.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":"339-342"},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147444737","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}
Hiroe Namba, Sana Mir, Erin L Groce, Katherine A Alexander
{"title":"Nuclear speckles: a fundamental layer of gene regulation.","authors":"Hiroe Namba, Sana Mir, Erin L Groce, Katherine A Alexander","doi":"10.1016/j.tcb.2026.04.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tcb.2026.04.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Within the cell nucleus, non-DNA structures called nuclear bodies interact with chromatin to regulate gene expression and organize our genetic material. Among nuclear bodies, nuclear speckles are prominent. They interact with broad genomic regions, serve as major gene-activating structures, and are implicated in viral infection, cancer, neurodegeneration, stress response, and development. Advances that integrate genomics with imaging are leading to a deeper understanding of how nuclear speckles fit into our current knowledge of chromatin biology, genome organization, and the central dogma of biology. Collectively, these recent studies emphasize nuclear speckles as key gene regulatory structures within the cell nucleus, offering new perspectives on how gene expression dysregulation is linked to disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":56085,"journal":{"name":"Trends in Cell Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13155460/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147823450","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}