The Role of Microtubule Dynamics in Life Activities

Dear Colleagues,

Microtubules are highly dynamic key components of the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells, composed of alpha- and beta-tubulin heterodimers. Microtubule dynamics are tightly regulated by various microtubule-associated proteins, kinases, and phosphatases.

Microtubule dynamic instability—together with the “tubulin code,” generated by the choice of different alpha- and beta tubulin isoforms and tubulin post-translational modifications—plays an essential role in controlling a variety of cellular processes, such as cell shape; mitosis and faithful chromosome segregation; cell motility; intracellular trafficking; cell migration; and ciliogenesis.

Moreover, microtubules with different morphology and degrees of stability are able to adapt to specific functions within the cell context. It is therefore not surprising that microtubule dysfunctions can be the cause of or can contribute to different diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding how the microtubule cytoskeleton is formed and regulated in healthy and malignant cells will help us improve treatment strategies for cancer and other diseases linked to microtubule dysfunctions.

With this Research Topic, we aim to provide an overview of what is known about microtubule relationships, tubulin post-translational modifications, the role of microtubule heterogeneity, and microtubule dynamic instability in various disorders, all by way of highlighting novel therapies.

The editor welcomes manuscripts focusing on the various roles of microtubule dynamics or tubulin code regulation in healthy and malignant cells and their potential as a diagnostic or therapeutic target.

Dr. Daniela Trisciuoglio
Guest Editor

Manuscripts should be submitted via our online editorial system at https://imr.propub.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to start your submission. Manuscripts can be submitted now or up until the deadline. All papers will go through peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the journal (as soon as accepted) and meanwhile listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, reviews as well as short communications are preferred. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office to announce on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts will be thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. Please visit the Instruction for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) in this open access journal is 2500 USD. Submitted manuscripts should be well formatted in good English.