Molecular Research on PRDM Genes
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2024 | Viewed by 119
Special Issue Editors
Interests: PRDM genes; cancers; signal transduction; cancer; cell cycle; apoptosis; androgens; estrogens; prostate cancer; breast cancer; oxidative stress; steroid receptors; testicular germ cell tumors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: PRDM genes; steroid receptors; cancers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: PRDM genes; cancer; transcriptional regulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Although considerable progress has been made in the development of screening and diagnostic approaches, cancer remains a widespread malignancy and a leading cause of death. The multistep process of cancer development involves alterations of several genes responsible for symptoms that reflect cell behaviour. The PRDM gene family has recently garnered considerable interest due to its involvement in pivotal stages of cell proliferation and differentiation, expanding the scope of its involvement in human diseases. The PRDM proteins (PRDMs) belong to the SET domain family of histone methyltransferases; however, enzymatic activity has only been described for a few PRDMs. PRDMs are involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression through their intrinsic HMTase activity or via interactions with other chromatin-modifying enzymes. PRDM variants with and without the PR domain have been described in the literature, playing opposite roles, particularly in cancer, where their imbalance can be often observed. Indeed, PRDMs can act both as tumour suppressors and oncogenes. PRDM proteins are involved in cancer onset, invasion, and metastasis, and their altered expression is related to poor prognoses and clinical outcomes. The aforementioned functions strongly suggest their potential for use in cancer management as diagnostic or prognostic tools and as new targets of therapeutic intervention.
The aim of the current Special Issue is to enhance our knowledge on the following topics:
- Driver mutations in PRDM genes;
- PRDMs’ functions, considering that the molecular mechanism of action has been defined for only a few of them and little is known about the functional redundancy within the family;
- The identification of PRDMs’ target genes and the protein complexes in which PRDMs reside to provide a comprehensive understanding of their biological and biochemical functions;
- Cell signalling pathways involving PRDMs;
- Possible strategies for preventing or counteracting PRDMs’ functions.
Dr. Erika Zazzo
Dr. Ciro Abbondanza
Dr. Monica Rienzo
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- PRDM
- cancer
- gene expression regulation
- epigenetic modifications
- proliferation
- differentiation
- gene expression regulation
- apoptosis
- cancer biomarkers
- cancer diagnosis
