About this Research Topic
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) increase the functional diversity of the proteome by reversibly or irreversibly modifying proteins during or after their synthesis. Thereby, they contribute to the structural and functional variety of proteins, conveying a complexity to the proteome that is significantly higher than the coding capacity of the genome. Moreover, providing another level of epigenetic regulation, PTMs of histone proteins in particular contribute to the modulation of gene accessibility and specific cell expression profiles.
PTMs include enzymatically controlled modifications such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, or proteolysis as well as non-enzymatic reactions such as nitrosation, oxidation, or glycation. They can occur at the same amino acid sites, interfering with each other in hierarchical orders and thereby adding another level of complexity. In this way, PTMs influence protein function, turnover, secretion, localization, and interactions with other cellular molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and cofactors. Thus, they influence almost all aspects of cell biology and pathogenesis as well as represent a basis for maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this regard, PTMs regulate several processes during neurodevelopment involving genes important for brain formation, the cytoskeleton and cytoskeleton-associating proteins as well as regulation of cell migration and axonal guidance.
Aberrant post-translational protein modifications may lead to altered neurodevelopment or neurodegeneration, as observed in related disorders such as prion, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases as well as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Therefore, identifying and understanding PTMs is critical in the study of cell biology and homeostasis as well as disease treatment and prevention.
This Research Topic will highlight the most recent advances related to the influence of PTMs on development, ageing and disease progression in the nervous system and potential interventions.
We welcome the submission of original research articles, short communications, reviews and mini-reviews on themes that include, but are not limited to:
• detection and verification of PTM sites;
• novel detection technology of PTMs;
• cell-type-specific PTMs;
• neurodevelopmental processes affected by PTMs;
• PTMs in ageing and disease;
• therapeutic strategies for dysregulated PTMs;
• protein characteristics influenced by PTMs;
• applications in life science and medical fields.
PTMs include enzymatically controlled modifications such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, acetylation, methylation, ubiquitination, or proteolysis as well as non-enzymatic reactions such as nitrosation, oxidation, or glycation. They can occur at the same amino acid sites, interfering with each other in hierarchical orders and thereby adding another level of complexity. In this way, PTMs influence protein function, turnover, secretion, localization, and interactions with other cellular molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and cofactors. Thus, they influence almost all aspects of cell biology and pathogenesis as well as represent a basis for maintaining cellular homeostasis. In this regard, PTMs regulate several processes during neurodevelopment involving genes important for brain formation, the cytoskeleton and cytoskeleton-associating proteins as well as regulation of cell migration and axonal guidance.
Aberrant post-translational protein modifications may lead to altered neurodevelopment or neurodegeneration, as observed in related disorders such as prion, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases as well as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Therefore, identifying and understanding PTMs is critical in the study of cell biology and homeostasis as well as disease treatment and prevention.
This Research Topic will highlight the most recent advances related to the influence of PTMs on development, ageing and disease progression in the nervous system and potential interventions.
We welcome the submission of original research articles, short communications, reviews and mini-reviews on themes that include, but are not limited to:
• detection and verification of PTM sites;
• novel detection technology of PTMs;
• cell-type-specific PTMs;
• neurodevelopmental processes affected by PTMs;
• PTMs in ageing and disease;
• therapeutic strategies for dysregulated PTMs;
• protein characteristics influenced by PTMs;
• applications in life science and medical fields.
Keywords: post-translational modifications, protein, nervous system, development, ageing, disease
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