Cell polarity plays a pivotal role in the proper functioning of various cell types, including epithelial cells and neurons. The processes of sorting, transporting, anchoring, and fusing protein and lipids to their cognate membranes are crucial for establishing and maintaining cell polarity. These intricate intracellular transport processes, collectively known as polarized transport, hold tremendous significance not only in the realms of cell biology and developmental biology but also in clinical medicine, as defects in polarized transport have been linked to a wide range of diseases.

In this Research Topic, we aim to illuminate the various facets of polarized transport. Our exploration will span from unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying polarized transport to understanding the diverse phenotypes resulting from its impairment. Ultimately, we will delve into the clinical relevance of these phenotypes. To achieve these goals, we will be focusing on addressing the following key questions that still remain unclear in current studies:

1. What specific molecules (proteins and lipids) are involved in polarized transport to the apical and basolateral plasma membranes?
2. How do these proteins involved in polarized transport form functional complexes?
3. At which stages (such as sorting, budding, transport, tethering, and fusion) and which organelles (such as Golgi, endosomes, and others) are the proteins actively involved?
4. What are the physiological roles of the proteins in polarized transport? How do deficiencies in these proteins affect tissues in organisms?
5. What roles do the proteins play in polarized transport during development? Are they involved in establishing cell polarity during developmental processes?
6. Are the proteins involved in polarized transport contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases, particularly in tissues composed of polarized cells like epithelial cells and neurons?

This Research Topic welcomes submissions of Original Research articles, Reviews, Mini Reviews, and Perspectives covering a broad range of areas, including but not limited to:

- Identify proteins or protein complexes involved in polarized transport using a variety of methods, including well-established techniques such as GST-pulldown, immunoprecipitation, and yeast two-hybrid screening, as well as innovative approaches like proximity biotinylation;
- Investigate the precise localization and dynamics of proteins involved in polarized transport at scales ranging from nano to micrometer using light and electron microscopies;
- Examine responsible proteins engaged in polarized transport, with particular attention to their specific localization, interactions with binding partners, and other relevant factors;
- Unravel the molecular mechanisms governing polarized transport across different stages (sorting, budding, transport, tethering, and fusion) within various organelles (the Golgi, endosomes, and other cellular compartments);
- Analyze mutants of genes that are known to play critical roles in polarized transport. Study the physiological significance of these genes by disrupting them using knockout and knockdown techniques in cells and model animals;
- Analyses of diseases of humans and other species whose responsible genes are known to be important for polarized transport;
- Structural analyses of proteins or/and complexes that have significant implications for polarized transport.

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Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

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