Catálogo de publicaciones - revistas

<jats:title>Building synthetic protein–based switches</jats:title> <jats:p> Synthetic circuits can potentially help to control complex biological processes, but systems based on regulating gene expression respond to stimuli at the minute to the hour time scale. Working in yeast cells, Mishra <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> report synthetic regulatory circuits based on protein phosphorylation reactions that respond to inputs within seconds (see the Perspective by Kholodenko and Okada). Multicomponent logic gates allowed ultrasensitive and stable switching between states. After validating their effective synthetic circuit, the authors searched known yeast protein interaction networks for similar regulatory motifs and found previously unrecognized circuits that function as native toggle switches in yeast. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , aav0780, this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.aav0780">eaav0780</jats:related-article> ; see also abj5028, p. <jats:related-article issue="6550" page="25" related-article-type="in-this-issue" vol="373">25</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:title>Germline defense against transposons</jats:title> <jats:p> Genomes of germ cells present an existential vulnerability to organisms because germ cell mutations will propagate to future generations. Transposable elements are one source of such mutations. In the small flowering plant <jats:italic>Arabidopsis</jats:italic> , Long <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> found that genome methylation in the male germline is directed by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) imperfectly transcribed from transposons (see the Perspective by Mosher). These germline siRNAs silence germline transposons and establish inherited methylation patterns in sperm, thus maintaining the integrity of the plant genome across generations. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , abh0556, this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.abh0556">eabh0556</jats:related-article> ; see also abj5020, p. <jats:related-article issue="6550" page="26" related-article-type="in-this-issue" vol="373">26</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:title>How genes affect human obesity</jats:title> <jats:p> Obesity is linked to many human diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. There is thus great interest in understanding how genes predispose individuals to, or protect individuals from, obesity. Akbari <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> sequenced more than 600,000 exomes from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico and identified 16 rare coding variants (see the Perspective by Yeo and O'Rahilly). Some of the alleles associated with body mass index (BMI) were brain-expressed G protein–coupled receptors. One variant allele was found in Mexican populations at low frequency and was associated with lower BMI. Deletion of this gene in mice resulted in a resistance to weight gain, suggesting that this gene provides an avenue of study for the prevention or treatment of obesity. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , abf8683, this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.abf8683">eabf8683</jats:related-article> ; see also abh3556, p. <jats:related-article issue="6550" page="30" related-article-type="in-this-issue" vol="373">30</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:title>Macrophages: key mediators of fat storage</jats:title> <jats:p> Recent work has suggested that macrophages may regulate adiposity, but the mechanisms underlying this process remain unresolved. Cox <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> report that a macrophage-derived growth factor, Pvf3, and its receptor on fat body cells are needed for lipid storage in fruit fly larvae (see the Perspective by O'Brien and Domingos). The mouse Pvf3 ortholog, PDGFcc, was similarly required to store fat in newborn and adult mice. When PDGFcc was blocked or deleted, food intake and absorption were normal, but mice increased their energy expenditure partly due to enhanced brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. PDGFcc was produced exclusively by fat-resident macrophages rather than by those mediating inflammation and insulin resistance. This work may inform future treatments for lipodystrophy, cachexia, and obesity. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , abe9383, this issue p. <jats:related-article xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" ext-link-type="doi" related-article-type="in-this-issue" xlink:href="10.1126/science.abe9383">eabe9383</jats:related-article> ; see also abj5072, p. <jats:related-article issue="6550" page="24" related-article-type="in-this-issue" vol="373">24</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:p>As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, it's time to turn attention back to the slow-moving and devastating epidemic caused by America's opioid crisis. For the last 10 years, around 15,000 annual deaths have been ascribed to prescription opioid overdoses. Add in deaths from all opioids, whether obtained by prescription or on the black market, and the total reaches almost 50,000. Black market fentanyl has played a big role, as well as a now notorious pharmaceutical called OxyContin, which is manufactured and sold by Purdue Pharma. The company's dysfunctional culture combined with complacent oversight by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the research community, and the medical community led to this perfect storm—one we must learn from so that we can avoid a similar tragedy in the future.</jats:p>

<jats:p>The Biden administration's decision to elevate the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to a cabinet-level position is a win for science. Eric Lander, confirmed in May by the Senate, is now advising the president on the scientific, engineering, and technological policies of the US government. As Dr. Lander carries out this task, we hope that he keeps in mind what President Biden asked him in a letter in January: “How can we guarantee that the fruits of science and technology are fully shared across America and among all Americans?”</jats:p>

<jats:p>A roundup of weekly science policy and related news.</jats:p>