Rho-linked genes and neurological disorders

Nadif Kasri, N., Van Aelst, L. (February 2008) Rho-linked genes and neurological disorders. Pflügers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, 455 (5). pp. 787-797.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18004590
DOI: 10.1007/s00424-007-0385-1

Abstract

Mental retardation (MR) is a common cause of intellectual disability and affects approximately 2 to 3% of children and young adults. Many forms of MR are associated with abnormalities in dendritic structure and/or dendritic spine morphology. Given that dendritic spine morphology has been tightly linked to synaptic activity, altered spine morphology has been suggested to underlie or contribute to the cognitive disabilities associated with MR. The structure and dynamics of dendritic spines is determined by its underlying actin cytoskeleton. Signaling molecules and cascades important for cytoskeletal regulation have therefore attracted a great deal of attention. As key regulators of both the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons, it is not surprising that the Rho GTPases have emerged as important regulators of dendrite and spine structural plasticity. Significantly, mutations in regulators and effectors of Rho GTPases have been associated with diseases affecting the nervous system, including MR and amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we will discuss Rho GTPase-related genes and their signaling pathways involved in MR and ALS.

Item Type: Paper
Subjects: diseases & disorders > congenital hereditary genetic diseases
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification
diseases & disorders
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics
bioinformatics > genomics and proteomics > genetics & nucleic acid processing > DNA, RNA structure, function, modification > genes, structure and function
diseases & disorders > congenital hereditary genetic diseases > mental retardation
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL labs > Van Aelst lab
Depositing User: Matt Covey
Date: February 2008
Date Deposited: 25 Feb 2013 21:09
Last Modified: 25 Feb 2013 21:09
PMCID: PMC3515081
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/27610

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