cell biology papers | Gist.Science

Cell biology is the study of life at its most fundamental unit: the cell. This field explores how these microscopic building blocks function, communicate, and replicate to sustain living organisms, from the simplest bacteria to complex human tissues. By understanding the machinery inside a cell, scientists unlock secrets about growth, disease, and the very nature of existence itself.

At Gist.Science, we track every new preprint uploaded to bioRxiv within this dynamic category. Our team processes each submission to provide both accessible plain-language explanations and detailed technical summaries, ensuring you can grasp complex discoveries without getting lost in dense jargon. Below are the latest papers in cell biology, offering a fresh look at the inner workings of life as they are shared with the world.

📄 cell biology

The centromere localization domain of kinetoplastid kinetochore protein KKT2 recognizes the free N-terminus of histone H3

This study reveals that the centromere localization domain of the kinetoplastid kinetochore protein KKT2 recognizes the free N-terminus of histone H3 via a conserved ZZ-like motif, suggesting that abundant N-terminal methylation of histone H3 in non-centromeric regions ensures specific centromere assembly in *Trypanosoma brucei* by preventing KKT2 binding outside the centromere.

Ciszek, A., Ludzia, P., Marciano, G., Allen, W., Ishii, M., Forsyth, S., Wood, C. W., Redfield, C., Akiyoshi, B.2026-08-15

📄 cell biology

Development and validation of an SDA-500 Anopheles stephensi cell line for molecular studies

This study establishes and validates the SDA-500, a novel male-derived *Anopheles stephensi* cell line optimized for efficient transfection and gene expression, providing a critical in vitro platform to advance functional genomics and malaria control strategies for this urban-adapted vector.

Kavil, S., Jinmi, D., Alphey, L., Anderson, M.2026-08-15

📄 cell biology

Isotype specific loss of HP1α but not of HP1β uncovers genomic regions that behave as HP1α-dependent common fragile sites

This study demonstrates that the specific loss of HP1α, but not HP1β, induces replication stress and compromises genome stability by slowing replication forks and promoting mitotic DNA synthesis at distinct genomic regions that function as HP1α-dependent common fragile sites, a protective mechanism that operates independently of HP1α's binding to H3K9me3.

Yaacoub, K., Nguyen, T. N., JULIEN, E., Cammas, F. M.2026-08-15

📄 cell biology

A switch in clathrin turnover controls endocytic coat size and organisation

This study reveals that the regulated turnover of clathrin coats, driven by Swa2-mediated assembly and Sla1-mediated stabilization, is essential for controlling coat size and ensuring the timely progression of actin-driven vesicle budding during endocytosis.

Boinet, A.-L., Mamta, M., Rivier-Cordey, A.-S., Roux, A., Kaksonen, M.2026-08-11

📄 cell biology

Life without heterotrimeric kinesins: trypanosomatids use a combination of homodimeric kinesin-2 motors to drive intraflagellar transport

Trypanosomatids, which lack the canonical heterotrimeric kinesin-2, utilize a division of labor between two homodimeric kinesins (KIN2A and KIN2B) for intraflagellar transport, where the essential KIN2B imports IFT proteins to the flagellum while KIN2A drives the majority of anterograde movement.

Alves, A. A., Cleetus, A., Fort, C., Zahonova, K., Abbuehl, D., Girard-Blanc, C., Blisnick, T., BONNEFOY, S., Cayet, N. (…)2026-08-10

📄 cell biology

Ktd1 is a phospho-regulated member of the Dup240 family that mediates defence against killer toxin K28

This study identifies Ktd1 as the unique, phospho-regulated vacuolar membrane protein within the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Dup240 family that serves as the central effector for cellular defence against the K28 killer toxin, acting downstream of or in parallel with the Sit4 phosphatase and Hog1 kinase.

Nadir, H. H., Pembery, A., Laidlaw, K. M., Milburn, A., Leake, M. C., MacDonald, C.2026-08-10

📄 cell biology

Atypical RanGAP drives nucleocytoplasmic transport in a parasitic Alveolate

This study reveals that the parasitic alveolate *Toxoplasma gondii* utilizes a neofunctionalized RabGAP-fold protein, TBC9, as an atypical RanGAP to drive essential nucleocytoplasmic transport, a mechanism that appears to have replaced the canonical RanGAP across non-ciliate alveolates.

Dewangan, P. S., Reese, M. L.2026-08-06

📄 cell biology

A lipid transfer-dependent feedback loop activates ATG9A compartments in autophagy initiation

This study reveals that ATG2A-mediated lipid transfer, rather than pre-existing PI3P, activates ATG9A compartments for autophagy initiation by enabling direct ATG8 lipidation and establishing a positive feedback loop that subsequently drives PI3P production.

Holzer, E., Sawa-Makarska, J., Bernklau, D., Romanov, J., Schuschnig, M., Martens, S.2026-08-04

📄 cell biology

Endosome-associated Rab GTPases control distinct aspects of neural circuit assembly

This study demonstrates that distinct endosome-associated Rab GTPases, specifically Rab5 and Rab11, orchestrate separate developmental events in neural circuit assembly by regulating the spatial distribution and abundance of early endosome sorting and recycling pathways to control cell-surface receptor trafficking.

Dong, K. X., Ji, H., Luginbuhl, D. J., Luo, L., McLaughlin, C., Zhang, Y.2026-08-04

📄 cell biology

Trisomy 21 Impairs Development of Enteric Neural Crest-Derived Cells via SOD1-Mediated RET Dysregulation

This study demonstrates that Trisomy 21 impairs the development of enteric neural crest-derived cells and increases Hirschsprung disease risk by causing SOD1-mediated oxidative stress, which downregulates the RET signaling pathway essential for enteric nervous system formation.

Singh, K., Liu, F., Zhao, A., Lohraseb, I., Davoli, T.2026-08-04

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