Regulation of exocytosis during neuronal polarization
Axon specification and elongation are the most critical steps of neuron polarization. The formation of an axon requires the rapid and continuous addition of membrane material at the plasma membrane, especially at its growth cone. This is achieved by the preferential transport, tethering, and exocytosis of plasmalemmal precursor vesicles (PPVs) to the plasma membrane of the extending axon.
In this context, I am studying how exocytosis is regulated during neuronal polarization – more specifically, how the RhoGEF Arhgef7 and its downstream Rho GTPase TC10 regulate this process.