Pub Date : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102611
Xiao Qin
The progression from healthy tissue to malignancy involves a critical precancerous stage marked by cellular lesions with aberrant molecular and phenotypic characteristics. The fate of these lesions is shaped not only by cell-intrinsic alterations but also by the precancerous microenvironment (PME), an ecosystem of epithelial, stromal and immune cells embedded within the extracellular matrix. Focusing on epithelial precancers, this review first defines the metastable state and signalling networks that distinguish precancer from homeostasis and cancer. It then examines the models and technologies used to investigate PME signalling across spatial–temporal dimensions, followed by an integrated overview of how PME components collectively shape lesion trajectories. Finally, it outlines the outstanding questions and research priorities needed to advance mechanistic insight and realise the translational potential of PME-targeted interventions.
{"title":"Precancerous microenvironment: A signalling perspective","authors":"Xiao Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The progression from healthy tissue to malignancy involves a critical precancerous stage marked by cellular lesions with aberrant molecular and phenotypic characteristics. The fate of these lesions is shaped not only by cell-intrinsic alterations but also by the precancerous microenvironment (PME), an ecosystem of epithelial, stromal and immune cells embedded within the extracellular matrix. Focusing on epithelial precancers, this review first defines the metastable state and signalling networks that distinguish precancer from homeostasis and cancer. It then examines the models and technologies used to investigate PME signalling across spatial–temporal dimensions, followed by an integrated overview of how PME components collectively shape lesion trajectories. Finally, it outlines the outstanding questions and research priorities needed to advance mechanistic insight and realise the translational potential of PME-targeted interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102611"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102602
Shashank Shekhar , Velia M. Fowler , Carol C. Gregorio
Cellular and biochemical studies of actin assembly have long focused primarily on reactions at the fast-growing barbed end of actin filaments. In contrast, the slow-growing pointed end has traditionally received comparatively less attention. Recent structural, biochemical, and cell biological studies have sparked a renaissance in pointed-end research, revealing its active roles in both actin assembly and disassembly. The discovery of pointed-end polymerization by the bacterial effector VopF has challenged the barbed-end centric assembly paradigm and reinvigorated efforts to identify endogenous pointed-end elongators. This review highlights the emerging molecular machinery and mechanisms governing pointed-end dynamics, including nucleation, elongation, capping, and disassembly. We discuss the physiological significance of pointed-end regulation and argue that a comprehensive understanding of actin regulation requires close attention to pointed end dynamics.
{"title":"Renaissance at the actin filament pointed end: Mechanisms of assembly, capping and depolymerization","authors":"Shashank Shekhar , Velia M. Fowler , Carol C. Gregorio","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102602","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102602","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cellular and biochemical studies of actin assembly have long focused primarily on reactions at the fast-growing barbed end of actin filaments. In contrast, the slow-growing pointed end has traditionally received comparatively less attention. Recent structural, biochemical, and cell biological studies have sparked a renaissance in pointed-end research, revealing its active roles in both actin assembly and disassembly. The discovery of pointed-end polymerization by the bacterial effector VopF has challenged the barbed-end centric assembly paradigm and reinvigorated efforts to identify endogenous pointed-end elongators. This review highlights the emerging molecular machinery and mechanisms governing pointed-end dynamics, including nucleation, elongation, capping, and disassembly. We discuss the physiological significance of pointed-end regulation and argue that a comprehensive understanding of actin regulation requires close attention to pointed end dynamics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102602"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145835286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-10DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102603
Ai Shinobu , Ayaka Nagasato-Ichikawa , Mariko Okada
Signal transduction is a complex system governing cellular behavior across physiological and pathological contexts. Advances in systems biology have positioned cell modeling as a powerful tool for reconstructing the dynamics and trajectories of disease processes. Nevertheless, despite progress in AI-assisted model generation, parameter estimation remains a challenge, especially under data constraints. In contrast, molecular dynamics simulations offer crucial, high-resolution insights by uncovering conformational activation mechanisms and by extracting kinetic parameters; however, they face scalability limitations. This review focuses on modeling of the ErbB signaling system, highlighting recent advances at both the cellular and molecular scales. Emerging trends, such as simulation data reuse, machine learning-guided network inference, and modeling within realistic environmental contexts, are now driving a compelling integration of these molecular and cellular modeling paradigms.
{"title":"Network structures and parameters in multiscale modeling in ErbB signaling networks","authors":"Ai Shinobu , Ayaka Nagasato-Ichikawa , Mariko Okada","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102603","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102603","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Signal transduction is a complex system governing cellular behavior across physiological and pathological contexts. Advances in systems biology have positioned cell modeling as a powerful tool for reconstructing the dynamics and trajectories of disease processes. Nevertheless, despite progress in AI-assisted model generation, parameter estimation remains a challenge, especially under data constraints. In contrast, molecular dynamics simulations offer crucial, high-resolution insights by uncovering conformational activation mechanisms and by extracting kinetic parameters; however, they face scalability limitations. This review focuses on modeling of the ErbB signaling system, highlighting recent advances at both the cellular and molecular scales. Emerging trends, such as simulation data reuse, machine learning-guided network inference, and modeling within realistic environmental contexts, are now driving a compelling integration of these molecular and cellular modeling paradigms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102603"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102601
Christina Paraskeva , Athanasia Stavropoulou , Vasiliki Koliaraki
The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) representing one of the most abundant and influential stromal cell populations. Recent advances in single cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics in combination with mechanistic studies have revealed the extent of CAF functional heterogeneity, identifying distinct subpopulations with specialized roles in tumor promotion, immune modulation, and therapy resistance. This review synthesizes current understanding of CAF biology, highlighting recent discoveries regarding their spatial organization, temporal dynamics, and immunoregulatory functions. We discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting CAF subpopulations, including approaches for CAF elimination and reprogramming. These advances provide new opportunities for developing more effective cancer treatments that account for stromal complexity and CAF-mediated resistance mechanisms.
{"title":"Cancer-associated fibroblasts: Recent advances and therapeutic implications","authors":"Christina Paraskeva , Athanasia Stavropoulou , Vasiliki Koliaraki","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102601","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102601","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) representing one of the most abundant and influential stromal cell populations. Recent advances in single cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics in combination with mechanistic studies have revealed the extent of CAF functional heterogeneity, identifying distinct subpopulations with specialized roles in tumor promotion, immune modulation, and therapy resistance. This review synthesizes current understanding of CAF biology, highlighting recent discoveries regarding their spatial organization, temporal dynamics, and immunoregulatory functions. We discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting CAF subpopulations, including approaches for CAF elimination and reprogramming. These advances provide new opportunities for developing more effective cancer treatments that account for stromal complexity and CAF-mediated resistance mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"98 ","pages":"Article 102601"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145645754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01DOI: 10.1016/S0955-0674(25)00148-6
{"title":"Outside Back Cover","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S0955-0674(25)00148-6","DOIUrl":"10.1016/S0955-0674(25)00148-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102610"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145732924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102600
Joe J. Tyler, Helen K. Matthews
Ras proteins modulate key cellular signalling pathways and drive excessive proliferation when mutated in cancer. However, they also influence actin cytoskeleton organisation. In the model organism Dictyostelium, domains of active Ras pattern the plasma membrane and locally reorganise the actin cortex, driving the formation of actin-based protrusions. Recent work has identified analogous Ras-dependent actin structures in cancer cells, including actin waves, protrusions and membrane blebs, which promote cell survival and motility. In addition, Ras activation induces changes to signalling networks and gene expression that result in cell-wide changes to actin network architecture, cortex mechanics and cell shape. This review examines how the local and global effects of Ras signalling on the actin cytoskeleton are coordinated and how they contribute to cytoskeletal plasticity during cancer progression.
{"title":"Ras signalling at the actin cortex: Coordinating local and global changes to cell morphology","authors":"Joe J. Tyler, Helen K. Matthews","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102600","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102600","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ras proteins modulate key cellular signalling pathways and drive excessive proliferation when mutated in cancer. However, they also influence actin cytoskeleton organisation. In the model organism <em>Dictyostelium,</em> domains of active Ras pattern the plasma membrane and locally reorganise the actin cortex, driving the formation of actin-based protrusions. Recent work has identified analogous Ras-dependent actin structures in cancer cells, including actin waves, protrusions and membrane blebs, which promote cell survival and motility. In addition, Ras activation induces changes to signalling networks and gene expression that result in cell-wide changes to actin network architecture, cortex mechanics and cell shape. This review examines how the local and global effects of Ras signalling on the actin cytoskeleton are coordinated and how they contribute to cytoskeletal plasticity during cancer progression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102600"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-17DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102598
David H. Kim , Shreya E. Boby , Gregory M.I. Redpath, Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan
Receptor tyrosine kinases and other cell surface receptors are tightly regulated by endocytosis, which controls both the duration and spatial organisation of their downstream signalling. In cancers, altered internalisation and trafficking lead to sustained or misrouted signalling that promotes uncontrolled cell growth and survival. Motor proteins and their cargo adaptors are central to receptor signalling since they determine intracellular endosome positioning, recycling, and degradation. While their roles in intracellular transport have long been studied, the dysfunction of motors and adaptors in the context of aberrant receptor signalling and cancer progression has only recently begun to emerge. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding motor and adaptor function in healthy cells, discuss evidence implicating these proteins in oncogenic signalling, and consider how these insights may guide future directions in the field.
{"title":"Driving cancer: Motor and adaptor protein dysregulation in endocytic receptor signalling","authors":"David H. Kim , Shreya E. Boby , Gregory M.I. Redpath, Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102598","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102598","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Receptor tyrosine kinases and other cell surface receptors are tightly regulated by endocytosis, which controls both the duration and spatial organisation of their downstream signalling. In cancers, altered internalisation and trafficking lead to sustained or misrouted signalling that promotes uncontrolled cell growth and survival. Motor proteins and their cargo adaptors are central to receptor signalling since they determine intracellular endosome positioning, recycling, and degradation. While their roles in intracellular transport have long been studied, the dysfunction of motors and adaptors in the context of aberrant receptor signalling and cancer progression has only recently begun to emerge. In this review, we highlight recent advances in understanding motor and adaptor function in healthy cells, discuss evidence implicating these proteins in oncogenic signalling, and consider how these insights may guide future directions in the field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102598"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145551690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-14DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102599
Cassia Michael , Sofia de Oliveira
{"title":"Corrigendum to Exploring the dynamic behavior of leukocytes with zebrafish Curr Opin Cell Biol 85 December 2023 102276-","authors":"Cassia Michael , Sofia de Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102599","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102599","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102599"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145528695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-08DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102597
Jay T. Groves
The growing ease with which single molecules can be visualized in living systems is providing a fantastic new view into the molecular processes of cellular signal transduction. The single-molecule perspective reveals stochastic variation and molecular heterogeneity in unaveraged detail and is revealing new mechanisms by which biological functionality is physically achieved. Here we discuss several examples of newly emerging signaling mechanisms intrinsically rooted in the stochastic realm. The common theme is a competitive enzymatic reaction cycle with the substrate and product localized to the membrane, while the controlling enzymes reside in the cytosol. This general reaction configuration is extremely common among signaling systems, and some quite unexpected behaviors can be observed when the functional system includes only a small number of molecules.
{"title":"Single-molecule biophysics in signaling: Functionality from stochastic effects","authors":"Jay T. Groves","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102597","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102597","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing ease with which single molecules can be visualized in living systems is providing a fantastic new view into the molecular processes of cellular signal transduction. The single-molecule perspective reveals stochastic variation and molecular heterogeneity in unaveraged detail and is revealing new mechanisms by which biological functionality is physically achieved. Here we discuss several examples of newly emerging signaling mechanisms intrinsically rooted in the stochastic realm. The common theme is a competitive enzymatic reaction cycle with the substrate and product localized to the membrane, while the controlling enzymes reside in the cytosol. This general reaction configuration is extremely common among signaling systems, and some quite unexpected behaviors can be observed when the functional system includes only a small number of molecules.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102597"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102596
Michelle F. Marchan , James E. Bear
Membrane trafficking is an essential aspect of cellular physiology, determining the spatial distribution of macromolecules within a cell in response to conditions such as nutrient availability and cellular stress. Much of this trafficking happens at intracellular membrane delimited vesicles and organelles—here referred to as endomembranes. Actin cytoskeletal dynamics contribute to intracellular force production, including fueling aspects of membrane trafficking on endomembranes. Cellular membrane trafficking and actin dynamics have traditionally been studied as separate specializations. Yet, actin networks interact with membranes and contribute to membrane remodeling, organelle motility, and cargo sorting. Here, we propose a conceptual framework for how actin filament networks participate in endomembrane trafficking and describe examples of each of the putative functions. Furthermore, we describe how aberrant actin-endomembrane interactions contribute to disease states and pose some open questions for the field.
{"title":"When two worlds collide: actin dynamics on endomembranes regulates membrane trafficking","authors":"Michelle F. Marchan , James E. Bear","doi":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Membrane trafficking is an essential aspect of cellular physiology, determining the spatial distribution of macromolecules within a cell in response to conditions such as nutrient availability and cellular stress. Much of this trafficking happens at intracellular membrane delimited vesicles and organelles—here referred to as endomembranes. Actin cytoskeletal dynamics contribute to intracellular force production, including fueling aspects of membrane trafficking on endomembranes. Cellular membrane trafficking and actin dynamics have traditionally been studied as separate specializations. Yet, actin networks interact with membranes and contribute to membrane remodeling, organelle motility, and cargo sorting. Here, we propose a conceptual framework for how actin filament networks participate in endomembrane trafficking and describe examples of each of the putative functions. Furthermore, we describe how aberrant actin-endomembrane interactions contribute to disease states and pose some open questions for the field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50608,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Cell Biology","volume":"97 ","pages":"Article 102596"},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145417203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}