New Insights into Proteases and Chaperones in Pathogenic Microorganisms

Dear Colleagues,

To infect the host and establish infections, pathogenic microorganisms must cross the host’s protective barriers, overcome defence mechanisms and finally find a suitable niche, using a wide range of virulence factors. Moreover, at all the stages of infection, pathogens are exposed to various stressors, whose actions may damage the pathogen’s macromolecules, including proteins. To counteract the effects of stress, pathogens induce dedicated response mechanisms, including the increased synthesis of components of the protein quality-control system.

Proteases and chaperones are important at all stages of infection, acting in both virulence and protein quality control. These proteins frequently cooperate to facilitate the proper folding and maturation of proteins, including several key virulence factors. Moreover, many secreted proteases are virulence factors themselves. In numerous cases, the roles of proteases and chaperones are so important that a lack of their activity leads to the pathogen’s cell death or virulence attenuation. For these reasons, proteases and chaperones directly involved in the pathogenesis of microbial infections are considered attractive therapeutic targets in the development of antimicrobials as alternatives to conventional antibiotics or to support antibiotic therapy.

The aim of this Special Issue is to collect recent findings that characterize proteases and/or chaperones that are involved in processes related to the pathogenic lifestyles of microorganisms. Publications addressing the development of antimicrobials that modulate the function/activity of proteases and chaperones are also welcome.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Joanna Skórko-Glonek
Prof. Dr. Silja Wessler
Guest Editors

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