About this Research Topic
Development of the nervous system is a complex molecular process that involves several different cellular mechanisms finely coordinated to define the proper function of each part that comprise the nervous tissue. Amongst them, cytoskeleton dynamics and small GTPases participate in the initiation, maintenance, and regulation of different processes. These actors finely regulate the distribution and localization of different molecules, allowing cargoes to reach suitable domains in the cells. Over the years, defects in either protein localization or trafficking are associated with a wide variety of neuronal diseases, like autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer’s and Huntington's disease, among others.
There are molecular links coupling proteins from the Rab and Rho of small GTPases families, that serve as molecular determinants of neuronal differentiation and development. Different contexts may improve the understanding of how the environmental stimuli can affect the development of the nervous system in both physiological and pathological conditions, from embryonic to adult neurogenesis.
The aim of this Research Topic is to cover recent and novel research trends in the participation of cytoskeleton dynamics and small GTPases in the field of health and neurological diseases. Areas to be covered may include, but are not limited to:
• Emerging mechanisms regulating the cross-talk between small-GTPases and cytoskeleton dynamics in different contexts (e.g. in homeostasis or pathological conditions; in vitro systems or in vivo models; embryonic, post-natal or adult development).
• Functional and integrative genomics pointing at in the involvement of small-GTPases and cytoskeleton dynamics during of neuronal development.
• Models of small-GTPases and cytoskeleton structure in physiological conditions and diseases.
• State-of-the-art of techniques to manipulate small GTPases and cytoskeleton dynamic as putative therapeutic strategies.
There are molecular links coupling proteins from the Rab and Rho of small GTPases families, that serve as molecular determinants of neuronal differentiation and development. Different contexts may improve the understanding of how the environmental stimuli can affect the development of the nervous system in both physiological and pathological conditions, from embryonic to adult neurogenesis.
The aim of this Research Topic is to cover recent and novel research trends in the participation of cytoskeleton dynamics and small GTPases in the field of health and neurological diseases. Areas to be covered may include, but are not limited to:
• Emerging mechanisms regulating the cross-talk between small-GTPases and cytoskeleton dynamics in different contexts (e.g. in homeostasis or pathological conditions; in vitro systems or in vivo models; embryonic, post-natal or adult development).
• Functional and integrative genomics pointing at in the involvement of small-GTPases and cytoskeleton dynamics during of neuronal development.
• Models of small-GTPases and cytoskeleton structure in physiological conditions and diseases.
• State-of-the-art of techniques to manipulate small GTPases and cytoskeleton dynamic as putative therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: GTPases, Cytoskeleton, Neurological diseases
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