Ho et al. provide a novel insight on how loss of TDP-43 (a major disease protein) leads to SREBF2 (a key regulator)–dependent disruption of cholesterol metabolism, which in turn affects myelination. Their results further implicate that disturbance of cholesterol metabolism may be involved in ALS, FTD, and TDP-43 proteinopathies–related disease.

Basu et al. elucidate a mechanism for anchoring mitochondria to the actin cytoskeleton. The actin-associated protein FHL2 provides the necessary and sufficient anchor. They demonstrate that FHL2 is recruited to mitochondria by O-GlcNAcylated TRAK in response to glucose sensing. Anchored mitochondria are remobilized upon F-actin disruption or FHL2 knockdown.

Belicova et al. report previously unrecognized apical membrane extensions, forming a pattern reminiscent of the bulkheads of boats, that determine the anisotropic expansion of hepatocyte lumina. Loss of the bulkheads caused by Rab35 silencing leads to re-engineering of epithelial polarity and liver tissue architecture.

Molenaar et al. show that seipin does not play a role in the biogenesis of lipid droplets composed mostly or only of the neutral lipid retinyl ester, even in cells that produce triacylglycerols.

Fast-growing microtubules are associated with large protective GTP-caps, raising the question of how cells achieve simultaneously fast and highly dynamic microtubule growth. Farmer et al. show that polymerase XMAP215 perturbs the growing microtubule end to promote microtubule catastrophe, despite simultaneously accelerating the microtubule growth rate.

Gilles et al. reveal that the phospholipase NOT-LIKE-DAD localizes on the endo-plasma membrane that surrounds the sperm cells in a pollen grain. This endo-PM has a PI(4,5)P2 lipid signature, and NOT-LIKE-DAD is addressed by lipid anchoring and electrostatic interactions. After pollen tube burst, the endo-PM locates within the embryo sac and helps to deliver the sperm cells.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) may mediate intercellular communication through the transfer of cargo molecules. Song et al. report that cyclin D1 is sorted into EVs during neuronal differentiation and that these EVs help to promote the neural induction of embryonic stem cells.