Structural Biology of Proteolysis

Proteases and their inhibitors are found in organisms ranging from humans, animals, invertebrates, and plants to parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Homeostasis between proteases and their inhibitors is critical for numerous biological processes, including but not limited to food digestion, hemostasis, protein quality control, cell signaling, immunity, and apoptosis. Various disease conditions are also directly or indirectly related to proteases and their inhibitors, including stroke, cancers, atopic dermatitis, and pathogen infection. Novel proteases and inhibitors are being identified from various sources, and they could potentially be used in treatment of human diseases and pathogen infection.

Dear Colleagues,

Proteases have vast implications in various diseases, and recent advances in this research area have revealed the mechanism underlying their role in human health and disease. Knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of proteases and their inhibitors will lead to the development of successful therapies. We invite investigators to contribute original research and review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms and implications of functionally relevant proteases and their complexes. We aim to provide an overview of specific topics that are less abundant in the literature. We are particularly interested in articles describing the new findings and applications towards therapeutic interventions. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: (1) Disease-related protein structures of proteases and inhibitors; (2) Structure-based inhibitor design; (3) Macromolecular complexes and assemblies; (4) Membrane protease structure and mechanism; (5) Structural enzymology; and (6) E3-ligase and ubiquitination in protein homeostasis. Selected authors of submitted articles in this Special Issue will have a chance to be invited as speakers to attend the “International Proteolysis Society 2021” symposium to be held in Singapore in September 2021.

Dr. Henry Yu-Keung Mok
Prof. Dr. J Sivaraman
Guest Editors

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• Disease related proteases and inhibitors
• Membrane proteases
• Proteases in protein homeostasis
• Proteases in immunity and apoptosis
• Proteases and inhibitors in pathogens and hosts
• E3-ligase and ubiquitination in protein homeostasis
• Chemical biology in protease and inhibitor design