Control of astrocyte morphology by Rho GTPases

Brain Research Bulletin
Andre ZeugChristian Henneberger

Abstract

Astrocytes modulate and support neuronal and synapse function via numerous mechanisms that often rely on diffusion of signalling molecules, ions or metabolites through extracellular space. As a consequence, the spatial arrangement and the distance between astrocyte processes and neuronal structures are of functional importance. Likewise, changes of astrocyte structure will affect the ability of astrocytes to interact with neurons. In contrast to neurons, where rapid morphology changes are critically involved in many aspects of physiological brain function, a role of astrocyte restructuring in brain physiology is only beginning to emerge. In neurons, small GTPases of the Rho family are powerful initiators and modulators of structural changes. Less is known about the functional significance of these signalling molecules in astrocytes. Here, we review recent experimental evidence for the role of RhoA, Cdc42 and Rac1 in controlling dynamic astrocyte morphology as well as experimental tools and analytical approaches for studying astrocyte morphology changes.

References

Oct 11, 2005·Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology·Aron B Jaffe, Alan Hall

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 2, 2018·Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience·Christine R RoseChristian Henneberger
Apr 1, 2019·CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics·Bin ZhouRuo-Tian Jiang
Apr 21, 2019·Journal of Cellular Physiology·Zengli ZhangYulong Ma
Aug 7, 2019·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Amin Derouiche, Kathrin D Geiger
Aug 19, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Isabel M GuijarroMarta Monzón
May 7, 2020·International Journal of Molecular Sciences·Isabel M GuijarroMarta Monzón
Dec 1, 2020·Frontiers in Endocrinology·Winda AriyaniNoriyuki Koibuchi
Nov 27, 2020·Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·Boris LavanderosOscar Cerda
Feb 20, 2021·Journal of Pharmacological Sciences·Taisuke KitanoKen-Ichi Otsuguro
Jun 23, 2021·Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA·Jee-San LeeStéphane Richard
Jun 22, 2021·Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·Daniel MingeChristian Henneberger

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Astrocytes

Astrocytes are glial cells that support the blood-brain barrier, facilitate neurotransmission, provide nutrients to neurons, and help repair damaged nervous tissues. Here is the latest research.

© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved