Apolipoproteins L in Membrane Remodeling and Human Disorders—Honorary Special Issue Commemorating the Work of Dr. Etienne Pays
A Special Issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X) belonging to the section "Molecular Medicine".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2027 | Viewed by 29
Editor
Interests: African trypanosomes; APOLs; neurovascular biology; blood-brain barrier; Wnt signaling; development
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Biomolecules invites submissions for a Special Issue in honor of Dr. Etienne Pays in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the field of APOL family proteins.
Dr. Etienne Pays devoted most of his scientific career to the study of African trypanosomes molecular biology. His study of the mechanisms underlying the remarkable adaptation strategy for trypanosome long-lasting infection, which consists in endless changes of the main surface antigen (VSG, for Variant Specific Glycoprotein), has not only led to the identification of the trypanolytic factor of human serum, namely APOL1 (Apolipoprotein L1), but has also revealed that recent mutations in this protein are responsible for a puzzling kidney disease specific to people of African descent, now termed APOL1-mediated nephropathy. Thanks to this information, this disease could be successfully brought to experimental medication, and its treatment is now clearly possible.
On a more fundamental aspect, his study of APOL1 and other members of the APOL family has also revealed the key functions of these proteins in membrane dynamics, such as membrane fission, fusion, traffic and pore-forming activity, particularly in the context of pathogen infection. Several recent papers have remarkably illustrated the importance of these so far neglected proteins in the development of immunity: whereas APOL1 and APOL3 play essential functions in mitophagy and apoptosis, APOL3 is crucial for both antigen cross-presentation and resistance to intracellular bacteria.
However, the mechanisms involved in APOLs activities are far from fully understood, not only regarding the details of their interactions with membranes, but also regarding the processes leading to trypanosome lysis or kidney podocyte dysfunctions. Therefore, in this Special Issue, contributions pertaining to any aspect of APOL biology, but particularly membrane remodeling, are welcome.
Prof. Dr. Benoit Vanhollebeke
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- African trypanosomes
- antigen cross-presentation
- Apolipoproteins L
- APOL1 trypanolytic activity
- APOL1-mediated kidney disease
- APOLs-associated proteins (PI4KB, NCS1, NM2A, PHB2, GBP1)
- apoptosis
- infection
- inflammation
- membrane fusion/fission/traffic
- membrane megapores
- mitophagy
- parasitophorous vacuole
- pathogen-containing membrane
- phagosomal membrane
- pore-forming activity
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