Post-Translational Modifications During Brain Development

Abstract

Several classes of post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate various processes that occur during neurodevelopment. The first of these processes is the regulation of the cytoskeleton and cytoskeleton-associating proteins, responsible for the stability, reorganization, and binding of microtubules and actin filaments. Dysregulations in these PTMs lead to dysregulated brain volume and composition, structural defects, behavioral defects, and dendrite growth. The second class of processes involves gene regulation, from chromatin modulation to protein turnover and degradation. Proper gene expression during neurodevelopment is critical to ensure correctly matured cells; dysregulation of PTMs in these pathways leads to various altered morphological and behavioral phenotypes. The third class of processes that are affected by PTMs is cell signaling and signal transduction, vital to cell migration and axonal guidance. Neurodevelopment is a complex sequence of spatially and temporally regulated processes, and PTMs play important roles in this regulation. Most of the known modifications have yet to be studied in depth and much remains undiscovered about their roles in neurodevelopment and otherwise.