Second Messenger Systems in Cellular Communication and Disease

Dear Colleagues,

Second messengers are critical intracellular signaling molecules that orchestrate diverse cellular processes across all domains of life. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of the structural biology, biochemistry, and physiological roles of second messenger systems in health and disease.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and perspectives covering cyclic nucleotides (c-di-AMP, c-di-GMP, cAMP, cGMP), cyclic oligonucleotides (cGAMP, cA3, cA4), calcium signaling, phosphoinositides, and cyclic ADP-ribose. Topics of particular interest include: (1) structural and mechanistic insights into enzymes that synthesize, degrade, or sense second messengers; (2) roles of second messengers in bacterial pathogenesis, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance; (3) nucleotide-based antiphage immunity systems including CBASS, Thoeris, and Pycsar; (4) second messenger dysregulation in human diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disorders; (5) evolutionary connections between bacterial defense systems and eukaryotic cGAS-STING innate immunity; and (6) novel therapeutic strategies targeting second messenger pathways.

By bringing together researchers from structural biology, microbiology, immunology, and translational medicine, this Special Issue will advance our understanding of how cells decode environmental signals and defend against viral threats.

Dr. Vijay Parashar
Guest Editor

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