The dead phosphatases society: a review of the emerging roles of pseudophosphatases

The expanding landscape of canonical and non-canonical protein phosphorylation

Protein phosphorylation is a crucial regulatory mechanism in cell signaling, acting as a molecular switch that modulates protein function. Catalyzed by protein kinases and reversed by phosphoprotein phosphatases, it is essential in both normal physiological and pathological states. Recent advances have uncovered a vast and intricate landscape of protein phosphorylation that include histidine phosphorylation and more unconventional events, such as pyrophosphorylation and polyphosphorylation. Many questions remain about the true size of the phosphoproteome and, more importantly, its site-specific functional relevance. The involvement of unconventional actors such as pseudokinases and pseudophosphatases adds further complexity to be resolved. This review explores recent discoveries and ongoing challenges, highlighting the need for continued research to fully elucidate the roles and regulation of protein phosphorylation.

HPV18 E7 inhibits LATS1 kinase and activates YAP1 by degrading PTPN14

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins inactivate cellular tumor suppressors to reprogram host cell signaling pathways. HPV E7 proteins bind and degrade the tumor suppressor PTPN14, thereby promoting the nuclear localization of the YAP1 oncoprotein and inhibiting keratinocyte differentiation. YAP1 is a transcriptional coactivator that drives epithelial cell stemness and self-renewal. YAP1 activity is inhibited by the highly conserved Hippo pathway, which is frequently inactivated in human cancers. MST1/2 and LATS1/2 kinases form the core of the Hippo kinase cascade. Active LATS1 kinase is phosphorylated on threonine 1079 and inhibits YAP1 by phosphorylating it on amino acids including serine 127. Here, we tested the effect of high-risk (carcinogenic) HPV18 E7 on Hippo pathway activity. We found that either PTPN14 knockout or PTPN14 degradation by HPV18 E7 decreased the phosphorylation of LATS1 T1079 and YAP1 S127 in human keratinocytes and inhibited keratinocyte differentiation. Conversely, PTPN14-dependent differentiation required LATS kinases and certain PPxY motifs in PTPN14. Neither MST1/2 kinases nor the putative PTPN14 phosphatase active sites were required for PTPN14 to promote differentiation. Together, these data support that PTPN14 inactivation or degradation of PTPN14 by HPV18 E7 reduce LATS1 activity, promoting active YAP1 and inhibiting keratinocyte differentiation.IMPORTANCEThe Hippo kinase cascade inhibits YAP1, an oncoprotein and driver of cell stemness and self-renewal. There is mounting evidence that the Hippo pathway is targeted by tumor viruses including human papillomavirus. The high-risk HPV E7 oncoprotein promotes YAP1 nuclear localization and the carcinogenic activity of high-risk HPV E7 requires YAP1 activity. Blocking HPV E7-dependent YAP1 activation could inhibit HPV-mediated carcinogenesis, but the mechanism by which HPV E7 activates YAP1 has not been elucidated. Here we report that by degrading the tumor suppressor PTPN14, HPV18 E7 inhibits LATS1 kinase, reducing inhibitory phosphorylation on YAP1. These data support that an HPV oncoprotein can inhibit Hippo signaling to activate YAP1 and strengthen the link between PTPN14 and Hippo signaling in human epithelial cells.

Dual-specificity phosphatases 13 and 27 as key switches in muscle stem cell transition from proliferation to differentiation

Muscle regeneration depends on muscle stem cell (MuSC) activity. Myogenic regulatory factors, including myoblast determination protein 1 (MyoD), regulate the fate transition of MuSCs. However, the direct target of MYOD in the process is not completely clear. Using previously established MyoD knock-in (MyoD-KI) mice, we revealed that MyoD targets dual-specificity phosphatase (Dusp) 13 and Dusp27. In Dusp13:Dusp27 double knock-out mice, the ability for muscle regeneration after injury was reduced. Moreover, single-cell RNA sequencing of MyoD-high expressing MuSCs from MyoD-KI mice revealed that Dusp13 and Dusp27 are expressed only in specific populations within MyoD-high MuSCs, which also express Myogenin. Overexpressing Dusp13 in MuSCs causes premature muscle differentiation. Thus, we propose a model where DUSP13 and DUSP27 contribute to the fate transition of MuSCs from proliferation to differentiation during myogenesis.

Inactive metallopeptidase homologs: the secret lives of pseudopeptidases

Inactive enzyme homologs, or pseudoenzymes, are proteins, found within most enzyme families, that are incapable of performing catalysis. Rather than catalysis, they are involved in protein-protein interactions, sometimes regulating the activity of their active enzyme cousins, or scaffolding protein complexes. Pseudoenzymes found within metallopeptidase families likewise perform these functions. Pseudoenzymes within the M14 carboxypeptidase family interact with collagens within the extracellular space, while pseudopeptidase members of the M12 "a disintegrin and metalloprotease" (ADAM) family either discard their pseudopeptidase domains as unnecessary for their roles in sperm maturation or utilize surface loops to enable assembly of key complexes at neuronal synapses. Other metallopeptidase families contain pseudopeptidases involved in protein synthesis at the ribosome and protein import into organelles, sometimes using their pseudo-active sites for these interactions. Although the functions of these pseudopeptidases have been challenging to study, ongoing work is teasing out the secret lives of these proteins.

HPV18 E7 inhibits LATS1 kinase and activates YAP1 by degrading PTPN14

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins inactivate cellular tumor suppressors to reprogram host cell signaling pathways. HPV E7 proteins bind and degrade the tumor suppressor PTPN14, thereby promoting the nuclear localization of the YAP1 oncoprotein and inhibiting keratinocyte differentiation. YAP1 is a transcriptional coactivator that drives epithelial cell stemness and self-renewal. YAP1 activity is inhibited by the highly conserved Hippo pathway, which is frequently inactivated in human cancers. MST1/2 and LATS1/2 kinases form the core of the Hippo kinase cascade. Active LATS1 kinase is phosphorylated on threonine 1079 and inhibits YAP1 by phosphorylating it on amino acids including serine 127. Here, we tested the effect of high-risk (carcinogenic) HPV18 E7 on Hippo pathway activity. We found that either PTPN14 knockout or PTPN14 degradation by HPV18 E7 decreased phosphorylation of LATS1 T1079 and YAP1 S127 in human keratinocytes and inhibited keratinocyte differentiation. Conversely, PTPN14-dependent differentiation required LATS kinases and certain PPxY motifs in PTPN14. Neither MST1/2 kinases nor the putative PTPN14 phosphatase active site were required for PTPN14 to promote differentiation. Taken together, these data support that PTPN14 inactivation or degradation of PTPN14 by HPV18 E7 reduce LATS1 activity, promoting active YAP1 and inhibiting keratinocyte differentiation.

Styxl2 regulates de novo sarcomere assembly by binding to non-muscle myosin IIs and promoting their degradation

Styxl2, a poorly characterized pseudophosphatase, was identified as a transcriptional target of the Jak1-Stat1 pathway during myoblast differentiation in culture. Styxl2 is specifically expressed in vertebrate striated muscles. By gene knockdown in zebrafish or genetic knockout in mice, we found that Styxl2 plays an essential role in maintaining sarcomere integrity in developing muscles. To further reveal the functions of Styxl2 in adult muscles, we generated two inducible knockout mouse models: one with Styxl2 being deleted in mature myofibers to assess its role in sarcomere maintenance, and the other in adult muscle satellite cells (MuSCs) to assess its role in de novo sarcomere assembly. We find that Styxl2 is not required for sarcomere maintenance but functions in de novo sarcomere assembly during injury-induced muscle regeneration. Mechanistically, Styxl2 interacts with non-muscle myosin IIs, enhances their ubiquitination, and targets them for autophagy-dependent degradation. Without Styxl2, the degradation of non-muscle myosin IIs is delayed, which leads to defective sarcomere assembly and force generation. Thus, Styxl2 promotes de novo sarcomere assembly by interacting with non-muscle myosin IIs and facilitating their autophagic degradation.

Understanding Pseudophosphatase Function Through Biochemical Interactions

Pseudophosphatases have been solidified as important signaling molecules that regulate signal transduction cascades. However, their mechanisms of action remain enigmatic. Reflecting this mystery, the prototypical pseudophosphatase STYX (phospho-serine-threonine/tyrosine-binding protein) was named with allusion to the river of the dead in Greek mythology to emphasize that these molecules are "dead" phosphatases. Although proteins with STYX domains do not catalyze dephosphorylation, this does not preclude their having other functions, including as integral elements of signaling networks. Thus, understanding their roles may mark them as potential novel drug targets. This chapter outlines common strategies used to characterize the functions of pseudophosphatases, using as an example MK-STYX [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) phospho-serine-threonine/tyrosine-binding], which has been linked to tumorigenesis, hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, apoptosis, and neuronal differentiation. We start with the importance of "restoring" (when possible) phosphatase activity in a pseudophosphatase, so the active mutant may be used as a comparison control throughout immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analyses. To this end, we provide protocols for site-directed mutagenesis, mammalian cell transfection, co-immunoprecipitation, phosphatase activity assays, and immunoblotting that we have used to investigate MK-STYX and the active mutant MK-STYXactive. We also highlight the importance of utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) "knockdown" technology to determine a cellular phenotype in various cell lines. Therefore, we outline our protocols for introducing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmids into mammalian cells and quantifying knockdown of gene expression with real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). We also provide a bioinformatic approach to investigating MK-STYX and MK-STYX(active mutant). These bioinformatic approaches can stand alone experimentally but also complement and enhance "wet" bench approaches such as binding assays and/or activity assays. A combination of cellular, molecular, biochemical, proteomic, and bioinformatic techniques has been a powerful tool in identifying novel functions of MK-STYX. Likewise, the information provided here should be a helpful guide to elucidating the functions of other pseudophosphatases.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 2 as the therapeutic target of atherosclerotic diseases: past, present and future

Tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 2(PTPN2), an important member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family, can regulate various signaling pathways and biological processes by dephosphorylating receptor protein tyrosine kinases. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that PTPN2 is involved in the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recently, it has been reported that PTPN2 exerts an anti-atherosclerotic effect by regulating vascular endothelial injury, monocyte proliferation and migration, macrophage polarization, T cell polarization, autophagy, pyroptosis, and insulin resistance. In this review, we summarize the latest findings on the role of PTPN2 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis to provide a rationale for better future research and therapeutic interventions.

The DUSP domain of pseudophosphatase MK-STYX interacts with G3BP1 to decrease stress granules

Mitogen activated protein kinase phosphoserine/threonine/tyrosine-binding protein (MK-STYX) is a dual specificity (DUSP) member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family. It is a pseudophosphatase, which lacks the essential amino acids histidine and cysteine in the catalytic active signature motif (HCX5R). We previously reported that MK-STYX interacts with G3BP1 [Ras-GAP (GTPase-activating protein) SH3 (Src homology 3) domain-binding-1] and reduces stress granules, stalled mRNA. To determine how MK-STYX reduces stress granules, truncated domains, CH2 (cell division cycle 25 phosphatase homology 2) and DUSP, of MK-STYX were used. Wild-type MK-STYX and the DUSP domain significantly decreased stressed granules that were induced by sodium arsenite, in which G3BP1 (a stress granule nucleator) was used as the marker. In addition, HEK/293 and HeLa cells co-expressing G3BP1-GFP and mCherry-MK-STYX, mCherry-MK-STYX-CH2, mCherry-MK-STYX-DUSP or mCherry showed that stress granules were significantly decreased in the presence of wild-type MK-STYX and the DUSP domain of MK-STYX. Further characterization of these dynamics in HeLa cells showed that the CH2 domain increased the number of stress granules within a cell, relative to wild-type and DUSP domain of MK-STYX. To further analyze the interaction of G3BP1 and the domains of MK-STYX, coimmunoprecipitation experiments were performed. Cells co-expressing G3BP1-GFP and mCherry, mCherry-MK-STYX, mCherry-MK-STYX-CH2, or mCherry-MK-STYX-DUSP demonstrated that the DUSP domain of MK-STYX interacts with both G3BP1-GFP and endogenous G3BP1, whereas the CH2 domain of MK-STYX did not coimmunoprecipitate with G3BP1. In addition, G3BP1 tyrosine phosphorylation, which is required for stress granule formation, was decreased in the presence of wild-type MK-STYX or the DUSP domain but increased in the presence of CH2. These data highlight a model for how MK-STYX decreases G3BP1-induced stress granules. The DUSP domain of MK-STYX interacts with G3BP1 and negatively alters its tyrosine phosphorylation- decreasing stress granule formation.

A PPP-type pseudophosphatase is required for the maintenance of basal complex integrity in Plasmodium falciparum

During its asexual blood stage, P. falciparum replicates via schizogony, wherein dozens of daughter cells are formed within a single parent. The basal complex, a contractile ring that separates daughter cells, is critical for schizogony. In this study, we identify a Plasmodium basal complex protein essential for basal complex maintenance. Using multiple microscopy techniques, we demonstrate that PfPPP8 is required for uniform basal complex expansion and maintenance of its integrity. We characterize PfPPP8 as the founding member of a novel family of pseudophosphatases with homologs in other Apicomplexan parasites. By co-immunoprecipitation, we identify two additional new basal complex proteins. We characterize the unique temporal localizations of these new basal complex proteins (late-arriving) and of PfPPP8 (early-departing). In this work, we identify a novel basal complex protein, determine its specific role in segmentation, identify a new pseudophosphatase family, and establish that the P. falciparum basal complex is a dynamic structure.

Pseudophosphatase STYXL1 depletion enhances glucocerebrosidase trafficking to lysosomes via ER stress

Pseudophosphatases are catalytically inactive but share sequence and structural similarities with classical phosphatases. STYXL1 is a pseudophosphatase that belongs to the family of dual-specificity phosphatases and is known to regulate stress granule formation, neurite formation and apoptosis in different cell types. However, the role of STYXL1 in regulating cellular trafficking or the lysosome function has not been elucidated. Here, we show that the knockdown of STYXL1 enhances the trafficking of β-glucocerebrosidase (β-GC) and its lysosomal activity in HeLa cells. Importantly, the STYXL1-depleted cells display enhanced distribution of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), late endosome and lysosome compartments. Further, knockdown of STYXL1 causes the nuclear translocation of unfolded protein response (UPR) and lysosomal biogenesis transcription factors. However, the upregulated β-GC activity in the lysosomes is independent of TFEB/TFE3 nuclear localization in STYXL1 knockdown cells. The treatment of STYXL1 knockdown cells with 4-PBA (ER stress attenuator) significantly reduces the β-GC activity equivalent to control cells but not additive with thapsigargin, an ER stress activator. Additionally, STYXL1-depleted cells show the enhanced contact of lysosomes with ER, possibly via increased UPR. The depletion of STYXL1 in human primary fibroblasts derived from Gaucher patients showed moderately enhanced lysosomal enzyme activity. Overall, these studies illustrated the unique role of pseudophosphatase STYXL1 in modulating the lysosome function both in normal and lysosome-storage disorder cell types. Thus, designing small molecules against STYXL1 possibly can restore the lysosome activity by enhancing ER stress in Gaucher disease.

The progress of research into pseudophosphatases

Pseudophosphatases are a class of phosphatases that mutate at the catalytically active site. They play important parts in many life processes and disorders, e.g., cell apoptosis, stress reaction, tumorigenesis, axon differentiation, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, and metabolic dysfunction. The present review considers the structures and action types of pseudophosphatases in four families, protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), myotube protein phosphatases (MTMs), phosphatases and tensin homologues (PTENs) and dual specificity phosphatases (DUSPs), as well as their mechanisms in signaling and disease. We aimed to provide reference material for the research and treatment of related diseases.

Evolutionary genomic relationships and coupling in MK-STYX and STYX pseudophosphatases

The dual specificity phosphatase (DUSP) family has catalytically inactive members, called pseudophosphatases. They have mutations in their catalytic motifs that render them enzymatically inactive. This study analyzes the significance of two pseudophosphatases, MK-STYX [MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphoserine/threonine/tyrosine-binding protein]) and STYX (serine/threonine/tyrosine-interacting protein), throughout their evolution and provides measurements and comparison of their evolutionary conservation. Phylogenetic trees were constructed to show any deviation from various species evolutionary paths. Data was collected on a large set of proteins that have either one of the two domains of MK-STYX, the DUSP domain or the cdc-25 homology (CH2) /rhodanese-like domain. The distance between species pairs for MK-STYX or STYX and Ka/Ks ratio were calculated. In addition, both pseudophosphatases were ranked among a large set of related proteins, including the active homologs of MK-STYX, MKP (MAPK phosphatase)-1 and MKP-3. MK-STYX had one of the highest species-species protein distances and was under weaker purifying selection pressure than most proteins with its domains. In contrast, the protein distances of STYX were lower than 82% of the DUSP-containing proteins and was under one of the strongest purifying selection pressures. However, there was similar selection pressure on the N-terminal sequences of MK-STYX, STYX, MKP-1, and MKP-3. We next perform statistical coupling analysis, a process that reveals interconnected regions within the proteins. We find that while MKP-1,-3, and STYX all have 2 functional units (sectors), MK-STYX only has one, and that MK-STYX is similar to MKP-3 in the evolutionary coupling of the active site and KIM domain. Within those two domains, the mean coupling is also most similar for MK-STYX and MKP-3. This study reveals striking distinctions between the evolutionary patterns of MK-STYX and STYX, suggesting a very specific role for each pseudophosphatase, further highlighting the relevance of these atypical members of DUSP as signaling regulators. Therefore, our study provides computational evidence and evolutionary reasons to further explore the properties of pseudophosphatases, in particular MK-STYX and STYX.

Release of CHK-2 from PPM-1.D anchorage schedules meiotic entry

Transition from the stem/progenitor cell fate to meiosis is mediated by several redundant posttranscriptional regulatory pathways in Caenorhabditis elegans. Interfering with all three branches causes tumorous germ lines. SCFPROM-1 comprises one branch and mediates a scheduled degradation step at entry into meiosis. prom-1 mutants show defects in the timely initiation of meiotic prophase I events, resulting in high rates of embryonic lethality. Here, we identify the phosphatase PPM-1.D/Wip1 as crucial substrate for PROM-1. We report that PPM-1.D antagonizes CHK-2 kinase, a key regulator for meiotic prophase initiation, including DNA double-strand breaks, chromosome pairing, and synaptonemal complex formation. We propose that PPM-1.D controls the amount of active CHK-2 via both catalytic and noncatalytic activities; notably, noncatalytic regulation seems to be crucial at meiotic entry. PPM-1.D sequesters CHK-2 at the nuclear periphery, and programmed SCFPROM-1-mediated degradation of PPM-1.D liberates the kinase and promotes meiotic entry.

Structural characterization of a pathogenic mutant of human protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN2 (Cys216Gly) that causes very early onset autoimmune enteropathy

PTPN2 is an important protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) that plays a key role in cell signaling. Deletions or inactivating mutations of PTPN2 have been described in different pathologies and underline its critical role in hematopoiesis, autoimmunity, and inflammation. Surprisingly, despite the major pathophysiological implications of PTPN2, the structural analysis of this PTP and notably of its pathogenic mutants remains poorly documented. Contrary to other human PTP enzymes, to date, only one structure of PTPN2 (wild-type form) has been reported. Here, we report the first crystal structure of a pathogenic mutant of PTPN2 (Cys216Gly) that causes an autoimmune enteropathy. We show in particular that this mutant adopts a classical PTP fold. More importantly, albeit inactive, the mutant retains its ability to bind substrates and to adopt the characteristic catalytically competent closed form of PTP enzymes. This novel PTPN2 structure may serve as a new tool to better understand PTP structures and the structural impacts of pathogenic mutations. Moreover, the C216G PTPN2 structure could also be helpful to design specific ligands/inhibitors.

Pseudophosphatases as Regulators of MAPK Signaling

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways are highly conserved regulators of eukaryotic cell function. These enzymes regulate many biological processes, including the cell cycle, apoptosis, differentiation, protein biosynthesis, and oncogenesis; therefore, tight control of the activity of MAPK is critical. Kinases and phosphatases are well established as MAPK activators and inhibitors, respectively. Kinases phosphorylate MAPKs, initiating and controlling the amplitude of the activation. In contrast, MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) dephosphorylate MAPKs, downregulating and controlling the duration of the signal. In addition, within the past decade, pseudoenzymes of these two families, pseudokinases and pseudophosphatases, have emerged as bona fide signaling regulators. This review discusses the role of pseudophosphatases in MAPK signaling, highlighting the function of phosphoserine/threonine/tyrosine-interacting protein (STYX) and TAK1-binding protein (TAB 1) in regulating MAPKs. Finally, a new paradigm is considered for this well-studied cellular pathway, and signal transduction pathways in general.

The Roles of Pseudophosphatases in Disease

The pseudophosphatases, atypical members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase family, have emerged as bona fide signaling regulators within the past two decades. Their roles as regulators have led to a renaissance of the pseudophosphatase and pseudoenyme fields, catapulting interest from a mere curiosity to intriguing and relevant proteins to investigate. Pseudophosphatases make up approximately fourteen percent of the phosphatase family, and are conserved throughout evolution. Pseudophosphatases, along with pseudokinases, are important players in physiology and pathophysiology. These atypical members of the protein tyrosine phosphatase and protein tyrosine kinase superfamily, respectively, are rendered catalytically inactive through mutations within their catalytic active signature motif and/or other important domains required for catalysis. This new interest in the pursuit of the relevant functions of these proteins has resulted in an elucidation of their roles in signaling cascades and diseases. There is a rapid accumulation of knowledge of diseases linked to their dysregulation, such as neuropathies and various cancers. This review analyzes the involvement of pseudophosphatases in diseases, highlighting the function of various role(s) of pseudophosphatases involvement in pathologies, and thus providing a platform to strongly consider them as key therapeutic drug targets.

Pseudoenzymes: dead enzymes with a lively role in biology

This Special Issue comprises twelve authoritative reviews that highlight an understudied but rapidly developing area of biology: catalytically inactive enzyme homologs. These pseudoenzymes, sometimes called 'dead enzymes', are found within most enzyme families and generally arose via gene duplication events. Dead enzymes have lost their enzymatic capacity, often via the evolutionary loss of key catalytic residues. However, as this Special Issue highlights, pseudoenzymes are far from being functionally 'dead'. In fact, they fulfill a range of critical biochemical roles, frequently appearing more versatile as biochemical regulators than their catalytic cousins. The functions of dead enzymes from diverse enzyme families often follow recurring themes, including allosteric regulation of their catalytically active counterparts, acting as signaling scaffolds, or as inhibitors that recognize and sequester the substrates of their catalytic homologs. As well as highlighting the breadth and depth of dead enzyme biology, this Special Issue emphasizes the power of pseudoenzymes as key biochemical regulators in health and disease and potentially as more tractable drug targets than some enzymes themselves. We hope you find these reviews enlivening, and we thank the authors for these excellent contributions.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases in cell adhesion

Adhesive structures between cells and with the surrounding matrix are essential for the development of multicellular organisms. In addition to providing mechanical integrity, they are key signalling centres providing feedback on the extracellular environment to the cell interior, and vice versa. During development, mitosis and repair, cell adhesions must undergo extensive remodelling. Post-translational modifications of proteins within these complexes serve as switches for activity. Tyrosine phosphorylation is an important modification in cell adhesion that is dynamically regulated by the protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and protein tyrosine kinases. Several PTPs are implicated in the assembly and maintenance of cell adhesions, however, their signalling functions remain poorly defined. The PTPs can act by directly dephosphorylating adhesive complex components or function as scaffolds. In this review, we will focus on human PTPs and discuss their individual roles in major adhesion complexes, as well as Hippo signalling. We have collated PTP interactome and cell adhesome datasets, which reveal extensive connections between PTPs and cell adhesions that are relatively unexplored. Finally, we reflect on the dysregulation of PTPs and cell adhesions in disease.

The FEBS Journal in 2021: a sharp reminder that science really matters

The FEBS Journal, a leading multidisciplinary journal in the life sciences, continues to grow in visibility and impact. Here, the Editor-in-Chief Seamus Martin discusses developments at the journal over the past year and the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on research activities.