Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors as Determinants of Cell Fate and Development

Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are pivotal in the field of developmental biology, particularly in the context of cell fate and development. As embryos of multicellular organisms undergo division and growth, GEFs activate small GTPases, which are crucial regulators in signaling pathways that influence gene expression and cytoskeletal dynamics. This regulation is essential for determining whether cells will proliferate, arrest, differentiate, or undergo apoptosis, thereby playing a critical role in the proper development of multicellular organisms. Dysregulation of GEFs has been associated with severe developmental disorders in humans, including Aarskog syndrome, Lesch Nyhan syndrome, and Noonan syndrome, among others. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in understanding the regulation and activation mechanisms of GEFs, highlighting their importance as determinants of cell fate. Despite these advances, a comprehensive understanding of the diverse physiological roles of GEFs in animal tissue patterning during development remains incomplete. Current literature often focuses on individual classes of GEFs, leaving a gap in the holistic understanding of their roles in development.

This research topic aims to explore the multifaceted roles of GEFs in cell fate specification and development. The primary objective is to elucidate the mechanisms by which GEFs influence key developmental processes and to understand the consequences of their dysregulation. Specific questions include how GEFs regulate cell polarity, division, and migration, and how these processes contribute to tissue patterning and morphogenesis. Additionally, the research will investigate the impact of GEFs on gene expression and cytoskeletal dynamics, as well as their involvement in mechano-signaling and gastrulation.

To gather further insights into the complex roles of GEFs in development, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Regulation of GEFs during development
- GEFs in invertebrate development
- Cellular trafficking by GEFs
- GEFs as determinants of key developmental events: cell polarity, cell fate, morphogenesis, etc.
- The effects of GEFs on gene expression and cytoskeletal dynamics
- GEFs in the regulation of primary cilia
- Syndromes and developmental defects associated with GEFs.

Keywords: GEFs, guanine nucleotide exchange factor, development, cell fate, cytoskeletal dynamics, invertebrate development, morphogenesis

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.