Rho GTPases in the Amygdala—A Switch for Fears?
Fear is a fundamental evolutionary process for survival. However, excess or irrational fear hampers normal activity and leads to phobia. The amygdala is the primary brain region associated with fear learning and conditioning. There, Rho GTPases are molecular switches that act as signaling molecules...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Cells |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/9/9/1972 |
| _version_ | 1797555448720654336 |
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| author | Tasnuva Sarowar Andreas M. Grabrucker |
| author_facet | Tasnuva Sarowar Andreas M. Grabrucker |
| author_sort | Tasnuva Sarowar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fear is a fundamental evolutionary process for survival. However, excess or irrational fear hampers normal activity and leads to phobia. The amygdala is the primary brain region associated with fear learning and conditioning. There, Rho GTPases are molecular switches that act as signaling molecules for further downstream processes that modulate, among others, dendritic spine morphogenesis and thereby play a role in fear conditioning. The three main Rho GTPases—RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, together with their modulators, are known to be involved in many psychiatric disorders that affect the amygdala′s fear conditioning mechanism. Rich2, a RhoGAP mainly for Rac1 and Cdc42, has been studied extensively in such regard. Here, we will discuss these effectors, along with Rich2, as a molecular switch for fears, especially in the amygdala. Understanding the role of Rho GTPases in fear controlling could be beneficial for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting conditions with abnormal fear/anxiety-like behaviors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:47:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3d4fe5cb945e47509a94cbfafd1b9181 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:47:38Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj.art-3d4fe5cb945e47509a94cbfafd1b91812023-11-20T11:25:40ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092020-08-0199197210.3390/cells9091972Rho GTPases in the Amygdala—A Switch for Fears?Tasnuva Sarowar0Andreas M. Grabrucker1Cellular Neurobiology and Neuro-Nanotechnology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94PH61 Limerick, IrelandCellular Neurobiology and Neuro-Nanotechnology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94PH61 Limerick, IrelandFear is a fundamental evolutionary process for survival. However, excess or irrational fear hampers normal activity and leads to phobia. The amygdala is the primary brain region associated with fear learning and conditioning. There, Rho GTPases are molecular switches that act as signaling molecules for further downstream processes that modulate, among others, dendritic spine morphogenesis and thereby play a role in fear conditioning. The three main Rho GTPases—RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42, together with their modulators, are known to be involved in many psychiatric disorders that affect the amygdala′s fear conditioning mechanism. Rich2, a RhoGAP mainly for Rac1 and Cdc42, has been studied extensively in such regard. Here, we will discuss these effectors, along with Rich2, as a molecular switch for fears, especially in the amygdala. Understanding the role of Rho GTPases in fear controlling could be beneficial for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting conditions with abnormal fear/anxiety-like behaviors.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/9/9/1972RhoGTPaseRich2synapseamygdalaphobia |
| spellingShingle | Tasnuva Sarowar Andreas M. Grabrucker Rho GTPases in the Amygdala—A Switch for Fears? Cells Rho GTPase Rich2 synapse amygdala phobia |
| title | Rho GTPases in the Amygdala—A Switch for Fears? |
| title_full | Rho GTPases in the Amygdala—A Switch for Fears? |
| title_fullStr | Rho GTPases in the Amygdala—A Switch for Fears? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Rho GTPases in the Amygdala—A Switch for Fears? |
| title_short | Rho GTPases in the Amygdala—A Switch for Fears? |
| title_sort | rho gtpases in the amygdala a switch for fears |
| topic | Rho GTPase Rich2 synapse amygdala phobia |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/9/9/1972 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tasnuvasarowar rhogtpasesintheamygdalaaswitchforfears AT andreasmgrabrucker rhogtpasesintheamygdalaaswitchforfears |