About this Research Topic
The plasma membrane surrounds the cell and acts as a barrier that confers its entity, and separates it from its surroundings (other cells, extracellular matrix, etc.). Likewise, the plasma membrane provides a communication platform between the cell and its nearby environment. Thus, the physical-chemical properties of the membrane, aided by the cortical cytoskeleton, greatly influence how this communication occurs. The molecular composition and the distribution of these molecules across the membrane and cortex define properties such as; membrane fluidity/condensation, membrane rigidity/membrane tension, and therefore determine the dynamic behavior of the molecules that comprise them. This leads to heterogeneous membrane domains (in composition and life span), that will regulate cell communication, and subsequently cellular functions.
The molecular dynamics at the plasma membrane have a direct impact on modulating actin reorganization. Likewise, cytoskeletal proteins such as filamentous actin and actin regulators can aid, or, confine molecular mobility within the plasma membrane and even influence lipid metabolism. Other emerging players in this dynamic interplay are glycans, that decorate lipids as well as proteins, and mediate lateral interactions, that can modulate mobility and clustering of lipids and proteins, eventually influencing the cortical cytoskeleton. Both membrane components and the cortical cytoskeleton interact and cooperate as sensors, and signal transductors, through continuous feedback. This dynamic interplay can occur so fast, that dissecting the contribution of each component on cellular functions has been extremely challenging. Yet, novel advances in microscopy and chemistry have allowed studies using model membranes, live cells and computational models to better examine molecular dynamics and provide growing evidence of the importance that the composition and ultrastructure of the plasma membrane and the cellular cortex have in the cell.
This Research Topic aims to gather a comprehensive collection of articles from a variety of fields (cell biology, cellular biochemistry, biophysics, computational biology) covering emerging research on the interactions between the plasma membrane and the cortical cytoskeleton. We welcome original research articles, technical or methodological advances and reviews. The scope of the collection will include but is not limited to:
• links and interactions between the plasma membrane and the cortical cytoskeleton.
• molecular dynamics at the plasma membrane and the cortical cytoskeleton.
• advances on imaging the ultrastructure of the plasma membrane and cortical cytoskeleton.
• development of tools, techniques and methods contributing to the study of molecular dynamics and interactions between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton cortex.
• computational modelling studies addressing the interplay between the plasma membrane and the cell cortex.
The molecular dynamics at the plasma membrane have a direct impact on modulating actin reorganization. Likewise, cytoskeletal proteins such as filamentous actin and actin regulators can aid, or, confine molecular mobility within the plasma membrane and even influence lipid metabolism. Other emerging players in this dynamic interplay are glycans, that decorate lipids as well as proteins, and mediate lateral interactions, that can modulate mobility and clustering of lipids and proteins, eventually influencing the cortical cytoskeleton. Both membrane components and the cortical cytoskeleton interact and cooperate as sensors, and signal transductors, through continuous feedback. This dynamic interplay can occur so fast, that dissecting the contribution of each component on cellular functions has been extremely challenging. Yet, novel advances in microscopy and chemistry have allowed studies using model membranes, live cells and computational models to better examine molecular dynamics and provide growing evidence of the importance that the composition and ultrastructure of the plasma membrane and the cellular cortex have in the cell.
This Research Topic aims to gather a comprehensive collection of articles from a variety of fields (cell biology, cellular biochemistry, biophysics, computational biology) covering emerging research on the interactions between the plasma membrane and the cortical cytoskeleton. We welcome original research articles, technical or methodological advances and reviews. The scope of the collection will include but is not limited to:
• links and interactions between the plasma membrane and the cortical cytoskeleton.
• molecular dynamics at the plasma membrane and the cortical cytoskeleton.
• advances on imaging the ultrastructure of the plasma membrane and cortical cytoskeleton.
• development of tools, techniques and methods contributing to the study of molecular dynamics and interactions between the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton cortex.
• computational modelling studies addressing the interplay between the plasma membrane and the cell cortex.
Keywords: Plasma Membrane, Cytoskeleton, Membrane tension, Membrane Fluidity, Molecular Dynamics, Computational Modelling
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.
