PDZ-peptide complexes: as exciting as ever

In this issue, Babault et?al. present a structural analysis of the PDZ domain of the PTPN4 phosphatase, free and bound to target peptides. This allows them to enhance the cell-killing properties of a pro-apoptotic peptide dramatically.     

Yeasts that ferment D-cellobiose as well as D-xylose

Summary Yeasts that ferment both D-cellobiose and D-xylose have been identified. Such organisms may have advantages in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulosics by obviating D-cellobiose inhibition of cellulase activity, and by allowing concurrent processing of the hemicellulose and cellulose.     

Germ cell migration: as slow as molasses

In Drosophila embryos, germ cells and somatic cells are formed separately. A recent analysis of the slow as molasses (slam) gene provides a potential link between somatic cell formation and germ cell migration.