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Embryonic stem cells versus embryonal carcinoma cells: Who's got what? Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from blastocysts are well‐behaved (diploid) sources of potential transplant material for therapeutic use. Embryonal carcinoma cells, on the contrary, are stem cells derived from teratomas that give rise to teratocarcinomas and differentiated tissues quite similar to ESCs. What is the difference? Compare the proteomes. Out of 1800 proteins identified and quantitated by Chaerkady et al. , roughly 200 showed at least a two‐fold difference in abundance by iTRAQ. Among the proteins expressed at high levels in ESCs were factors involved in pluripotency and development. A number of the highly expressed proteins in the ESCs have been found in other systems associated with malignancies.pp. 1359–1373Talking to itself: A cell manages its adhesion options I once slept on a pillow that squeaked and crunched every time I moved my head. The old chicken feathers just did not want to quit. Perhaps they were plotting where to put the next lump. Cells have a complex system for deciding when to stay or go. Adhesive interactions between cells are critical to development, wound healing and inflammation, etc . They are modulated by membrane receptors that interact with intra‐ and extracellular ligands. Friedrichs et al. have developed quantitative means to look at how different adhesion receptors on the same cell interact. Using an atomic force microscope, the cantilever is coated with the primary adhesive ligand and the slide with a secondary ligand. A cell to be tested is allowed to attach to the cantilever, then put in contact with the test surface. Analysis of the force‐distance profile reveals the presence or absence of communication between the two receptors.pp. 1455–1462Retro record spinner reveals residence with NuRD DJ‐1 was one of those drifters, very often drifting onto the wrong side of the cancer line to be invited to reputable recreation more than once in any tissue. Then, a couple of research posses got her in their sights. What a sight she was when she cleaned up her act. Opsahl et al. , using a full set of proteomic tools, found that DJ‐1 was a bit of a firefighter (oxidative stress); part‐time nurse (staving off death by p53 and daunorubicin); and NuRD master (involved in control of acetylation and deacetylation of proteins by changes in affinity of NuRD complex). The authors characterize DJ‐1 as a two‐edged sword, able to cut or protect friends and enemies. There are still more lessons to be learned from the number 1 DJ.pp. 1494–1504