Nuclear dynamics and cytoskeleton signaling

Ancient Greece was the birthplace of free philosophical, political and social thinking in Europe. Scientific thoughts postulated by famous philosophers significantly influenced the evolution of European Civilization throughout the following centuries. Modern Greece, being a free nation for only less than 190 years, has achieved huge social, political and economic development, providing remarkable contributions today in sciences and particularly within the field of biosciences. It is therefore a privilege of the Hellenic Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology to host the 33rd FEBS Congress – 11th IUBMB Conference in Athens. The 2008 Congress is dedicated to ‘Biochemistry of Cell Regulation’ and offers an excellent forum for the presentation of front-line research achievements and stimulating discussions in modern biosciences. But why is this 2008 ‘World Fair’ on biochemical sciences dedicated to Biochemistry of Cell Regulation? In the post-genomic era it is increasingly evident that unravelling the mysteries of life requires interdisciplinary thinking. Studying the cross talk of genomic regulation, the cooperation of protein functions, the coordination of inter- and intra-cellular communication and the molecular scaffolds of cellular actions may prove to be key biochemical tools for understanding the complicated regulation of cellular events. The need for this novel interdisciplinary thinking prompted us to dedicate this FEBS Letters Athens Special Issue to ‘Nuclear Dynamics and Cytoskeleton Signaling’. Some of the most distinguished scientists in the field, among them many invited speakers of the 2008 FEBS-IUBMB Congress, kindly responded to our invitation to highlight recent advances in research on various aspects of these specific domains. The important questions covered by this Special Issue, although a small window in a large area of exciting research, are of major scientific interest. The topic of nuclear dynamics is first taken up by Alain Verreault (Montreal) who describes the mechanisms and physiological relevance of distinct nucleosome assembly pathways and how they contribute to the packaging of DNA in eukaryotes. Centromeres are specialized regions of eukaryotic chromosomes that ensure proper chromosome segregation during cell division. Paola Vagnarelli and colleagues (Edinburgh) explore how centromeres are organized with respect to chromatin types and arrangements. It is well established that chromatin organization has a great impact on gene expression. Laura Trinkle-Mulcahy and colleagues (Dundee) describe novel approaches that are used to unravel the dynamic relationship between chromatin organization and transcription. The question of how the transcriptional machinery, i.e. the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II, can serve as a dynamic platform to couple transcription, mRNA processing and surveillance is portrayed by Maria Carmo-Fonseca (Lisbon). RNA biogenesis, function, transport, localization and stability are dependent on a plethora of RNA-binding proteins (RBBs) that specify the fate of individual RNAs (Gideon Dreyfuss, Philadelphia, PA). Many of these RBPs and other factors dynamically associate with (pre)-mRNAs on their way from the site of transcription to the cytoplasm (Fançoise Stutz, Geneva). Likewise, the biogenesis of U snRNPs is assisted by a multitude of trans-acting factors, which control and coordinate nuclear and cytoplasmic steps in the assembly pathway (Utz Fischer, Würzburg). Communication between the nucleus and the cytoplasm relies to a great extent on macromolecular traffic through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), embedded in the nuclear envelope (NE). The assembly of NPC and their dynamics during the cell cycle are featured by Wolfram Antonin (Tübingen) and Jan Ellenberg (Heidelberg). Interestingly, the NE not only establishes the nuclear boundary but also influences and is influenced by chromatin organization in the nuclear periphery (Maarten Fornerod, Amsterdam). Moreover, it has become evident that NE components establish molecular connections between the cytoskeleton in the nuclear interior and the cytoplasm, providing a dynamic framework for the integration of nuclear and cytoplasmic architecture of the cell (Brian Burke, Gainesville, FL). The contributions on nuclear actin dynamics (Maria Vartiainen, Helsinki) and on chromatin remodelling and actin organization (Ann Kristin Farrants, Stockholm) provide the link between nuclear dynamics and cytoskeleton. The role of actin cytoskeleton in classical and non genomic TGF-β signaling is accentuated (Aris Moustakas, Uppsala), while Klemens Rottner (Braunschweig) and Rick Firtel (San Diego) contributions emphasize the regulation of actin based membrane protrusions and sensing during chemotaxis. Insights into in vivo cell behavior are provided by actin regulated cell motility assays (Marie-France Carlier, Gif-sur-Yvette). The studies on the role of Rho GTPases in cancer cell biology (Anne Ridley, London) and the role of actin based structures regulated by Rho GTPases in metastasis and invasion (Laura Machesky, Glasgow) highlight novel perspectives for actin dynamics and signaling in tumor biology. The involvement of actin cytoskeleton in endocytic pathways (Maribel Geli, Barcelona), and early cell responses (Evangelia Papakonstanti, Heraklion) in various systems offer novel aspects on the functional significance of cytoskeleton dynamics and signaling. The interactions between villin signaling and actin reorganization (Seema Khurana, Memphis) put the accent on the functional role of actin binding proteins in regulating cell structure and function. Finally, the contribution on post-translational modifications of intermediate filaments (John Eriksson, Turku) stresses their role in the recruitment and sequestration of signaling molecules. We are most grateful to the Authors who have accepted our invitation to contribute these exciting minireviews. We would like also to acknowledge the great assistance from the Editorial Office of FEBS Letters. Although it was impossible to cover all aspects on Nuclear Dynamics and Cytoskeleton Signaling in this issue, we hope that this selection of themes will stimulate FEBS Letters’ readers and young Biochemists and will aid the understanding of the science presented in the 2008 Congress lectures.

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