The Cytoskeleton as Regulator of Cell Signaling Pathways
Abstract
During interphase, filamentous actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments regulate cell shape, motility, transport, and interactions with the environment. These activities rely on signaling events that control cytoskeleton properties. Recent studies uncovered mechanisms that go far beyond this one-directional flow of information. Thus, the three branches of the cytoskeleton impinge on signaling pathways to determine their activities. We propose that this regulatory role of the cytoskeleton provides sophisticated mechanisms to control the spatiotemporal output and the intensity of signaling events. Specific examples emphasize these emerging contributions of the cytoskeleton to cell physiology. In our opinion, further exploration of these pathways will uncover new concepts of cellular communication that originate from the cytoskeleton.
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The mechanisms by which microtubules regulate signaling proteins and their diverse pathways remain poorly understood.
“However, the mechanisms by which microtubules regulate them and their diverse pathways remain poorly understood.”
From Structural basis of microtubule-mediated signal transduction (2026) · cites this paper as [4]
Upon cellular stimulation, the WRC is recruited to the plasma membrane to communicate with central signaling molecules including PI3K, MAPK, FAK, AKT, and PKC; these effectors govern activation, growth, proliferation, and survival.
“Upon cellular stimulation, the WRC is recruited to the plasma membrane to communicate with central signaling molecules including phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), protein kinase B/AKT, and protein kinase C. These effectors subsequently govern activation, growth, proliferation, and survival [16, 24].”
From HEM1 Actin Immunodysregulatory Disorder: Genotypes, Phenotypes, and Future Directions (2022) · cites this paper as [24]
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Cellular signalling by primary cilia in development, organ function and disease
Anvarian, Z., Mykytyn, K., Mukhopadhyay, S., Pedersen, L. B., & Christensen, S. T. (2019) · Nature Reviews Nephrology · doi:10.1038/s41581-019-0116-9 · Cited by 845 · see citing works
The photoreceptor cilium and its diseases
Bachmann-Gagescu, R., & Neuhauss, S. C. (2019) · Current Opinion in Genetics & Development · doi:10.1016/j.gde.2019.05.004 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Spatial chromatin organization and gene regulation at the nuclear lamina
Guerreiro, I., & Kind, J. (2019) · Current Opinion in Genetics & Development · doi:10.1016/j.gde.2019.04.008 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
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HEM1 Actin Immunodysregulatory Disorder: Genotypes, Phenotypes, and Future Directions
Cook, S., Lenardo, M. J., & Freeman, A. F. (2022) · Journal of Clinical Immunology · doi:10.1007/s10875-022-01327-0 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Structural basis of microtubule-mediated signal transduction
Choi, S. R., Blum, T. B., Giono, M., Roy, B., Vakonakis, I., Schmid, D., Oelgarth, N., Ranganathan, A., Gossert, A. D., Shivashankar, G. V., et al. (2026) · Cell · doi:10.1016/j.cell.2025.11.011 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
- Authors
- Moujaber, O., & Stochaj, U.
- Affiliations
- McGill University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Stochaj, Ursula
- ORCID
- Stochaj, Ursula
- Venue
- Trends in Biochemical Sciences
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-02
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 96-107
- ISSN
- 0968-0004 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2993058731
- Cited by
- 158
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 31 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 12
- FWCI
- 1.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Biochemical Sciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- NSERC
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
- Keywords
- cytoskeleton, signal transduction, F-actin, microtubules, intermediate filaments, cell shape, cell motility, intracellular transport, cellular communication
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Biological Transport, Cytoskeletal Proteins, Cytoskeleton, DNA Repair, Intercellular Junctions, Interphase, Protein Biosynthesis, Signal Transduction, Gene Expression, Genomic Instability
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