About this Research Topic
The field of dystroglycan (DG) research has garnered significant attention due to its critical role as a non-integrin adhesion complex that bridges the extracellular matrix and the cytoskeleton. DG's involvement in various neuromuscular diseases, such as Walker-Warburg Syndrome (WWS), Muscle-Eye-Brain (MEB) disease, and Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy type 2P, underscores its importance in biomedicine. Recent studies have expanded our understanding of DG's biochemistry and function, revealing its potential as a target for personalized therapeutic approaches. However, the current research predominantly focuses on DG's role in human neuromuscular diseases, often overlooking its broader pathophysiological and cellular contexts across different species. This gap in knowledge limits our ability to fully appreciate the relevance of various cellular or animal model systems in studying human neuromuscular diseases, thereby impacting both biomedical research and therapeutic strategies.
This research topic aims to address these gaps by fostering a comprehensive understanding of the dystroglycan-axis, encompassing its evolutionary, developmental, and functional aspects. The primary objective is to attract contributions that characterize the DG subunits and the DG axis, not only as models for neuromuscular diseases but also in novel developmental and evolutionary contexts. By doing so, the research aims to establish a multidisciplinary dialogue that bridges different scientific areas, ultimately enhancing our understanding of DG's multifaceted roles and its implications for human health.
To gather further insights into the diverse roles and mechanisms of the dystroglycan-axis, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Evolutionary aspects of dystroglycan, related enzymes, and binding partners
- Functional roles played by specific dystroglycan sub-domains in different species
- Structural and functional aspects of dystroglycan and related enzymes and their importance for human diseases
- Role and regulation of invertebrate dystroglycan
- Dystroglycan in embryogenesis and tissue regeneration
- Regulation of dystroglycan gene expression
- Dystroglycan and its binding partners in muscle regeneration
- The dystroglycan axis in animal models for neuromuscular disorders
- Potential role of dystroglycan and interactors in the nucleus
This research topic aims to address these gaps by fostering a comprehensive understanding of the dystroglycan-axis, encompassing its evolutionary, developmental, and functional aspects. The primary objective is to attract contributions that characterize the DG subunits and the DG axis, not only as models for neuromuscular diseases but also in novel developmental and evolutionary contexts. By doing so, the research aims to establish a multidisciplinary dialogue that bridges different scientific areas, ultimately enhancing our understanding of DG's multifaceted roles and its implications for human health.
To gather further insights into the diverse roles and mechanisms of the dystroglycan-axis, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Evolutionary aspects of dystroglycan, related enzymes, and binding partners
- Functional roles played by specific dystroglycan sub-domains in different species
- Structural and functional aspects of dystroglycan and related enzymes and their importance for human diseases
- Role and regulation of invertebrate dystroglycan
- Dystroglycan in embryogenesis and tissue regeneration
- Regulation of dystroglycan gene expression
- Dystroglycan and its binding partners in muscle regeneration
- The dystroglycan axis in animal models for neuromuscular disorders
- Potential role of dystroglycan and interactors in the nucleus
Keywords: Dystroglycan, Evolution, Extracellular matrix, Basement membranes, Protein domains & motifs, Mutants, Gene expression regulation, Dystroglycanopathies, Neuromuscular diseases, Muscular dystrophy, Protein trafficking, Protein glycosylation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
