Catálogo de publicaciones - revistas

<jats:title>Decoupling tillering and fertilization</jats:title> <jats:p> For rice as an agricultural crop, more tillers, or branches that carry grains, are desired, as is less demand for nitrogen fertilization. Unfortunately, for many rice varieties, the number of tillers depends on the amount of nitrogen fertilization. Wu <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> now show that nitrogen status affects chromatin function through modification of histones, a process in which the transcription factor NGR5 recruits polycomb repressive complex 2 to target genes. Some of these genes regulate tillering, such that with more nitrogen, the plants develop more tillers. NGR5 is regulated by proteasomal destruction and mediates hormone signaling. An increase in NGR5 levels can drive increases in rice tillering and yield without requiring increases in nitrogen-rich fertilizer. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , 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.aaz2046">eaaz2046</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:title>A weird way to recognize phosphoantigens</jats:title> <jats:p> In contrast to the well-studied αβ T cells, which recognize peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and MHC-like molecules, how γδ T cells recognize antigens remains largely a mystery. One major class of γδ T cells, designated Vγ9Vδ2 <jats:sup>+</jats:sup> , is activated by small, phosphorylated nonpeptide antigens, or phosphoantigens, produced by microbes and cancer cells. Rigau <jats:italic>et al.</jats:italic> found that these cells needed the combination of two immunoglobulin superfamily members, butyrophilin 2A1 (BTN2A1) and BTN3A1, on their cell surface to recognize these phosphoantigens. BTN2A1 directly binds the Vγ9 <jats:sup>+</jats:sup> domain of the T cell receptor (TCR), whereas a second ligand, potentially BTN3A1, binds the Vδ2 and γ-chain regions on the opposite side of the TCR. A better understanding of this unexpected form of T cell antigen recognition should inform and enhance future γδ T cell–mediated immunotherapies. </jats:p> <jats:p> <jats:italic>Science</jats:italic> , 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.aay5516">eaay5516</jats:related-article> </jats:p>

<jats:p>If there's one sentiment that papers over the cracks in a once-United Kingdom, it's bone-weariness over Brexit. Wherever one entered the debate back in 2016—on the side of the United Kingdom leaving or remaining in the European Union (EU)—most people simply want an end to the saga, which has spewed uncertainty and paralyzed decision-making for almost 4 years. A pre-Christmas campaign pledge to “get Brexit done” propelled Prime Minister Boris Johnson back into Downing Street with a Conservative dominance of the political landscape unseen since Margaret Thatcher's heyday. One week after its reelection, the government passed the Brexit withdrawal bill, and at midnight on 31 January, the United Kingdom departed. With the democratic die now cast, universities, scientific organizations, and individual researchers must figure out how to constructively engage with Europe. Is there a soft landing for science on the other side of the leap into the dark that has just been taken?</jats:p>

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

<jats:p>Modelers are trying to forecast how the coronavirus will move, but they need better data.</jats:p>

<jats:p>South African trial halted early because of "futility."</jats:p>

<jats:p>Rising winds boost flows in tropics and Southern Ocean.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Two retractions spark scrutiny of dozens of papers.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Department of Justice initiative aims to counter "corrupting" influence of foreign money on scientists.</jats:p>

<jats:p>Gene edits appear safe in first three patients.</jats:p>