Open research questions in Cellular transport and secretion
118 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 293 Cellular transport and secretion papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.
What the literature leaves open
The lack of native storage-and-release architecture in non-specialized secretory cells. The limitation of classical secretion pathways in terms of response speed. The need for new design frontiers for synthetic secretion switches in mammalian cells.
Beyond ER-Golgi trafficking: unconventional protein secretion as a new design frontier for synthetic secretion switches in mammalian cells · 2026 · DOIdependence types26,54, cellular on In a sense, unconventional secretion provides a conceptually important but still underexplored direction for synthetic biology.
Beyond ER-Golgi trafficking: unconventional protein secretion as a new design frontier for synthetic secretion switches in mammalian cells · 2026 · DOIThe mechanisms by which Spargel regulates endocycle-mediated growth have yet to be established. The relationship between Spargel and E2F1 in the regulation of cell growth is not well understood.
In order to flexibly change synaptic strength, the abundance of trans-synaptic adhesion complexes needs to be modulated, yet how this is achieved is poorly understood.
The unhindered lateral mobility of a rhomboid intramembrane protease enables synapse remodelling · 2026 · DOIAvl9 is involved in secretion and cell migration, but its molecular function has not been characterized.
Many GTPase regulators remain to be identified despite extensive genetic and biochemical screens.
While their importance is well-established, the precise dynamics of their conformational changes remain unclear.
From Closed to Mighty: How GTP-Induced Allosteric Dynamics, Dimerization, and Membrane Binding Transform a Bacterial Dynamin-like Protein · 2026 · DOIMoreover, transmitter loading of SVs accelerates fusion in vitro, which is abolished when synaptophysin is lacking despite near normal transmitter uptake.
Synaptophysin accelerates synaptic vesicle fusion by expanding the membrane upon neurotransmitter loading · 2025 · DOIThe adaptor protein Sla1 inhibits Las17 but mechanisms underpinning Las17 activation remain elusive.
Competitive binding of actin and SH3 domains at proline-rich regions of Las17/WASP regulates actin polymerisation · 2025 · DOIHowever, the molecular basis for this TMED9-mediated cargo retention remains elusive.
Molecular basis of TMED9 oligomerization and entrapment of misfolded protein cargo in the early secretory pathway · 2024 · DOIHowever, the mechanism underlying fast SNARE-induced membrane fusion remains unknown.
Molecular mechanism underlying SNARE-mediated membrane fusion enlightened by all-atom molecular dynamics simulations · 2024 · DOIUntil now, there is virtually no data on pyrophosphorylation of plant proteins, which is an exciting field that remains to be explored.
Protein pyrophosphorylation by inositol phosphates: a novel post-translational modification in plants? · 2024 · DOIWhile SCAMP genes have been studied in several plant species, their functions in cotton, particularly in response to abiotic stress, have not yet been reported.
Genome‑wide analysis of cotton SCAMP genes and functional characterization of GhSCAMP2 and GhSCAMP4 in salt tolerance · 2024 · DOIWhile the kinesin-3 family member KIF1C is established in mediating anterograde vesicle transport, its role in lysosomal transport remains unclear.
Despite its established function in cellular processes, its involvement in coronavirus replication remains unclear.
Oxysterole-binding protein targeted by SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins regulates coronavirus replication · 2024 · DOIFurther exploration of the underlying mechanisms of Rab27 in tumors and exosomes. Investigation of the application value of Rab27 in antitumor therapeutic strategies. Development of novel small-molecule drugs targeting Rab27 for antitumor effects.
High turgor pressure in plant cells. Rigid cell walls in plant cells. Limited availability of specific inhibitors of plant CME.
Many common inhibitors of CME have weak or no effects on plant CME. The mechanism of action of Ikarugamycin remains unknown. The study of plant CME is limited by the lack of specific inhibitors and the complexity of plant cellular constraints.
To demonstrate enhanced interaction of TIO kinase with Kin-12A/B upon binding of RAB-A2a in vitro. To identify the molecular substrates of TIO kinase activity. To explain how TIO-dependent phosphorylation of its substrates promotes phragmoplast formation and expansion.
A Rab/Kinesin-12/kinase module couples vesicle delivery and phragmoplast dynamics during plant cell cytokinesis · 2026 · DOIFurther investigation of the role of Rap1b in cAMP signaling. Exploration of the therapeutic potential of targeting Rap1b and AC9 in diseases related to cAMP signaling.
Further study of the role of PI3K complex II in endosomal clathrin removal and lysosomal maturation. Investigation of the effects of PI3K complex II depletion on other cellular processes. Development of therapies for diseases related to endosomal dysfunction.
The Uvrag-containing PI3K complex promotes Hsc70-4 dependent endosomal clathrin removal and lysosomal maturation in Drosophila nephrocytes · 2026 · DOIFurther studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of Munc18.1 deficiency on cortical pyramidal cells. Studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying the stage-dependent effects of Munc18.1 deficiency. Research should examine the potential therapeutic strategies for neurodevelopmental disorders associated with Munc18.1 haploinsufficiency.
Early and transient increase in cortical pyramidal cell excitability and delayed alteration of evoked synaptic transmission and t-SNARE proteins content in the hippocampus and neocortex of neonatal and juvenile Stxbp1 heterozygous mice · 2026 · DOIThe effects of Munc18.1 deficiency on intrinsic neuronal properties are not well understood. The developmental dependence of the effects of Munc18.1 deficiency is unknown.
Early and transient increase in cortical pyramidal cell excitability and delayed alteration of evoked synaptic transmission and t-SNARE proteins content in the hippocampus and neocortex of neonatal and juvenile Stxbp1 heterozygous mice · 2026 · DOIFurther investigation of the mechanisms of PIKfyve regulation - Exploration of the potential therapeutic applications of enhancing PIKfyve activity - Examination of the role of PIKfyve in other cell types and diseases
PIKfyve preserves endolysosomal function in photoreceptors and RPE cells to maintain retinal integrity · 2026 · DOIThe mechanisms by which photoreceptors eliminate misfolded or mistargeted proteins are not well understood - The specific role of disrupted PIP metabolism in retinal degenerative diseases remains poorly understood
PIKfyve preserves endolysosomal function in photoreceptors and RPE cells to maintain retinal integrity · 2026 · DOI
Most-cited papers in Cellular transport and secretion
- Studies and Perspectives of Protein Kinase C · Science · 1986 · 3,909 citations
- Ceramide Triggers Budding of Exosome Vesicles into Multivesicular Endosomes · Science · 2008 · 3,248 citations
- Protein translation and folding are coupled by an endoplasmic-reticulum-resident kinase · Nature · 1999 · 2,879 citations
- SNAP receptors implicated in vesicle targeting and fusion · Nature · 1993 · 2,591 citations
- A Gene Network Regulating Lysosomal Biogenesis and Function · Science · 2009 · 2,367 citations
- Role of Tet proteins in 5mC to 5hmC conversion, ES-cell self-renewal and inner cell mass specification · Nature · 2010 · 2,269 citations
- Tight junction proteins occludin and ZO‐1 as regulators of epithelial proliferation and survival · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2022 · 550 citations
- Myosin light chain kinase: pulling the strings of epithelial tight junction function · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · 2012 · 308 citations
- Structural basis of NINJ1-mediated plasma membrane rupture in cell death · Nature · 2023 · 253 citations
- Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Neurotransmitter Release · Annual Review of Biophysics · 2022 · 250 citations
Most recent work
- Autophagolysosomal exocytosis inverts Src kinase onto the cell surface in cancer · Science · 2026
- Peripheral lysosomes recruit PLEKHG3 to focal adhesions and restrain protrusion dynamics · bioRxiv · 2026
- Continuum architecture dynamics of vesicle tethering in exocytosis · Cell · 2026
- LASER couples damage sensing to ESCRT assembly for lysosome repair · Nature · 2026
- Heat-triggered phospholipid flipping stabilizes plasma membrane fluidity · Nature · 2026
- PAK-family kinases promote cell fusion irreversibility by preventing cell wall repair · bioRxiv · 2026
- Clathrin is an Intrinsic Driver of Membrane Fission · bioRxiv · 2026
- Beyond cargo clearance: p62 coordinates cAMP signalling and autophagy to drive cell fate decisions in Dictyostelium discoideum · Autophagy Reports · 2026
- Dystrophic changes of nigrostriatal axons harboring a Synj1 Parkinson mutation suggest catastrophic failure of endocytic mechanisms · bioRxiv · 2026
- SOLAR Mediates Lysosomal Membrane Repair and Redox Defense · bioRxiv · 2026
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