Neurons, the fundamental elements of the brain, serve the pivotal function of information transmission. This function primarily relies a subcellular structure namely synapse, where neurotransmitters and neuromodulators are released from the presynaptic membrane through exocytosis and bind to the relevant receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. It is believed that synaptic exocytosis (i.e., neurotransmitters and neuromodulators release) is specialized, as most of the critical regulatory components and mechanisms are not shared by constitutive exocytosis pathway of non-neuronal cells. However, in addition to the specialized exocytosis, neurons also share constitutive and/or stress-induced exocytosis pathways with other non-neuronal cells. Recent evidence indicates that neurons could also release extracellular vesicles (or exosomes) from both pre-synaptic terminals and dendrites. These vesicles serve as a mechanism for intercellular communication, facilitating the provision of substances to neighboring neurons, and elimination of waste materials. Meanwhile, mitochondria and neuron activity are closely related. Recent evidence also revealed that neurons could also release damaged mitochondria through unknown exocytosis pathways. It is tempting to speculate either a ‘grand unification’ is applicable to the diverse exocytosis pathways in neurons, or if, conversely, these pathways have evolved to rely on distinct mechanisms. Nevertheless, our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the various exocytosis pathways in neurons remains limited. This research topic welcomes outstanding research papers to contribute to elucidating the molecular mechanisms of neuronal exocytosis.
The goal of the research topic is to contribute to elucidating the molecular mechanisms of various types of neuronal exocytosis.
The scope of the research topic includes but not limited to i) discover novel neuronal exocytosis pathways; ii) reveal the molecular mechanism of a specific neuronal exocytosis pathway; iii) discuss or compare the similarities and differences of different neuronal exocytosis pathways; iv) and this for applied or translational medicine-related research.
Keywords:
Exocytosis, Synapse, Neuron, Synaptic vesicle, Dense-core vesicle, Extracellular vesicle, Exosome, Membrane fusion
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.
Neurons, the fundamental elements of the brain, serve the pivotal function of information transmission. This function primarily relies a subcellular structure namely synapse, where neurotransmitters and neuromodulators are released from the presynaptic membrane through exocytosis and bind to the relevant receptors on the postsynaptic membrane. It is believed that synaptic exocytosis (i.e., neurotransmitters and neuromodulators release) is specialized, as most of the critical regulatory components and mechanisms are not shared by constitutive exocytosis pathway of non-neuronal cells. However, in addition to the specialized exocytosis, neurons also share constitutive and/or stress-induced exocytosis pathways with other non-neuronal cells. Recent evidence indicates that neurons could also release extracellular vesicles (or exosomes) from both pre-synaptic terminals and dendrites. These vesicles serve as a mechanism for intercellular communication, facilitating the provision of substances to neighboring neurons, and elimination of waste materials. Meanwhile, mitochondria and neuron activity are closely related. Recent evidence also revealed that neurons could also release damaged mitochondria through unknown exocytosis pathways. It is tempting to speculate either a ‘grand unification’ is applicable to the diverse exocytosis pathways in neurons, or if, conversely, these pathways have evolved to rely on distinct mechanisms. Nevertheless, our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the various exocytosis pathways in neurons remains limited. This research topic welcomes outstanding research papers to contribute to elucidating the molecular mechanisms of neuronal exocytosis.
The goal of the research topic is to contribute to elucidating the molecular mechanisms of various types of neuronal exocytosis.
The scope of the research topic includes but not limited to i) discover novel neuronal exocytosis pathways; ii) reveal the molecular mechanism of a specific neuronal exocytosis pathway; iii) discuss or compare the similarities and differences of different neuronal exocytosis pathways; iv) and this for applied or translational medicine-related research.
Keywords:
Exocytosis, Synapse, Neuron, Synaptic vesicle, Dense-core vesicle, Extracellular vesicle, Exosome, Membrane fusion
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.