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Biomolecules
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Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry
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Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Cellular Biochemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 7010

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Anna Rita Franco Migliaccio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (Cnr-NANOTEC), c/o Campus Ecotekne, Lecce, Italy
2. Altius Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Seattle, WA, USA
Interests: hematopoietic stem cells; erythropoiesis; thrombopoiesis; cell therapy; hemoglobinopathies; myeloproliferative disorders
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The “Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry” Special Issue will bring together high-quality research and review articles on all the biochemical aspects of cellular biology and physiology, including the metabolism, gene expression and protein activity regulation, intracellular trafficking, organellar function and interactions, and cell division, differentiation, polarity, and death. Papers that provide insight into the roles of specific biochemical pathways and processes in inherited and acquired diseases, including cancer, are also welcome.

This topical collection is dedicated to various recent advances in cellular biochemistry research, as highlighted below, with a selection of exclusive papers from the Cellular Biochemistry Section’s Editorial Board Members (EBMs), alongside contributions from established experts in the field. Experts interested in submitting a paper are invited to send an email to the Special Issue Editor, with the title and abstract of the paper they are planning to submit, to ensure fitness with the topic.

The topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

  • cell signalling;
  • cell death;
  • intracellular trafficking (protein, lipids, cytoskeleton, etc.);
  • host–pathogen interactions;
  • extracellular vesicle biology;
  • intercellular communication;
  • autophagy;
  • cellular metabolism;
  • inter-organelle communication;
  • membrane transport;
  • mitochondrial dynamics and function;
  • cell polarity.

Prof. Dr. Anna Rita Franco Migliaccio
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cell signalling
  • cell death
  • intracellular trafficking (protein, lipids, cytoskeleton, etc.)
  • host–pathogen interactions
  • extracellular vesicle biology
  • intercellular communication
  • autophagy
  • cellular metabolism
  • inter-organelle communication
  • membrane transport
  • mitochondrial dynamics and function
  • cell polarity

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 7946 KiB  
Article
A Modular Customizable Ligand-Conjugate (LC) System Targeting Ghrelin O-Acyltransferase
by Amber L. Ford, Caine W. Taft, Andrea M. Sprague-Getsy, Gracie C. Carlson, Nilamber A. Mate, Michelle A. Sieburg, John D. Chisholm and James L. Hougland
Biomolecules 2025, 15(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15020204 - 1 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1145
Abstract
Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide hormone that impacts a wide range of biological processes, including appetite regulation, glucose metabolism, growth hormone regulation, and cognitive function. To bind and activate its cognate receptor, ghrelin must be acylated on a serine residue in [...] Read more.
Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide hormone that impacts a wide range of biological processes, including appetite regulation, glucose metabolism, growth hormone regulation, and cognitive function. To bind and activate its cognate receptor, ghrelin must be acylated on a serine residue in a post-translational modification performed by ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT). GOAT is a membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) responsible for the catalysis of the addition of an octanoyl fatty acid to the third serine of desacyl ghrelin. Beyond its canonical role for ghrelin maturation in endocrine cells within the stomach, GOAT was recently reported to be overexpressed in prostate cancer (PCa) cells and detected at increased levels in the serum and urine of PCa patients. This suggests GOAT can serve as a potential route for the detection and therapeutic targeting of PCa and other diseases that exhibit GOAT overexpression. Building upon a ghrelin mimetic peptide with nanomolar affinity for GOAT, we developed an antibody-conjugate-inspired system for customizable ligand-conjugate (LC) synthesis allowing for the attachment of a wide range of cargoes. The developed synthetic scheme allows for the easy synthesis of the desired LCs and demonstrates that our ligand system tolerates an extensive palette of cargoes while maintaining nanomolar affinity against GOAT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry)
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18 pages, 3666 KiB  
Article
Visfatin Enhances RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro: Synergistic Interactions and Its Role as a Mediator in Osteoclast Differentiation and Activation
by Chang Youp Ok, Ryuk Jun Kwon, Hye-Ock Jang, Moon-Kyoung Bae and Soo-Kyung Bae
Biomolecules 2024, 14(12), 1500; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14121500 - 25 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1203
Abstract
Visfatin, an adipokine secreted by various cell types, plays multifaceted pathophysiological roles in inflammatory conditions, including obesity, which is closely associated with osteoclastogenesis, a key process underlying bone loss and increased osteoporosis (OP) risk. However, the role of visfatin in osteoclastogenesis remains controversial. [...] Read more.
Visfatin, an adipokine secreted by various cell types, plays multifaceted pathophysiological roles in inflammatory conditions, including obesity, which is closely associated with osteoclastogenesis, a key process underlying bone loss and increased osteoporosis (OP) risk. However, the role of visfatin in osteoclastogenesis remains controversial. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of visfatin on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation from precursor cells in vitro. Our results demonstrated that although visfatin exhibited a modest osteoclast-inductive effect relative to that of RANKL, co-stimulation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) with visfatin and RANKL led to significantly enhanced osteoclast differentiation and activation compared to individual stimulation. Neutralization of visfatin activity using blocking antibodies before differentiation markedly suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, as evidenced by a near-complete absence of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated osteoclasts, decreased levels of nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 and osteoclast-specific proteins, inhibition of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, and a decrease in resorption pit formation. Our findings underscore the critical role of visfatin in RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and highlight the RANKL/visfatin signaling axis as a potential therapeutic target for destructive bone loss-related diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry)
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Review

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30 pages, 2678 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: Current and Emerging Applications to Mitigate Cellular Signaling in Disease
by R. M. Imtiaz Karim Rony, Alireza Shokrani, Naseeb Kaur Malhi, Deborah Hussey, Rachael Mooney, Zhen Bouman Chen, Tristan Scott, Haiyong Han, Jaeger Moore, Jiahui Liu, Wendong Huang, Adolfo Garcia-Ocaña, Maria B. Grant, Karen Aboody, Daniel Von Hoff, Rama Natarajan and Joshua D. Tompkins
Biomolecules 2025, 15(7), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15071000 - 12 Jul 2025
Viewed by 434
Abstract
Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a blood purification technique which functions to remove pathological plasma constituents such as autoantibodies, inflammatory cytokines, immune complexes, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contribute to a range of disease states. In this review, we examine current and emerging [...] Read more.
Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a blood purification technique which functions to remove pathological plasma constituents such as autoantibodies, inflammatory cytokines, immune complexes, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contribute to a range of disease states. In this review, we examine current and emerging indications for TPE across cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, inflammatory, and oncological diseases. We cover emerging preclinical animal models and new applications, emphasizing the roles of cellular signaling and EV biology in mediating plasma functions, and discuss unique therapeutic “windows of opportunity” offered by TPE. We conclude that TPE is underutilized in both preventative and precision medicine, and that next generation TPE therapies will involve personalized plasma biomarker and modulation feedback, with synergistic plasma infusion therapies to mitigate age associated disease and promote tissue rejuvenation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry)
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15 pages, 748 KiB  
Review
Exercise-Mediated Skeletal Muscle-Derived IL-6 Regulates Bone Metabolism: A New Perspective on Muscle–Bone Crosstalk
by Chenyu Zhu, Xiaoqing Ding, Min Chen, Jie Feng, Jun Zou and Lingli Zhang
Biomolecules 2025, 15(6), 893; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15060893 - 18 Jun 2025
Viewed by 582
Abstract
Skeletal muscles and bones maintain musculoskeletal system function through their collaborative interaction, whereby muscles regulate bone metabolism via mechanical coupling. An increasing number of studies have shown that various cytokines secreted by skeletal muscles during exercise closely regulate the balance of bone homeostasis. [...] Read more.
Skeletal muscles and bones maintain musculoskeletal system function through their collaborative interaction, whereby muscles regulate bone metabolism via mechanical coupling. An increasing number of studies have shown that various cytokines secreted by skeletal muscles during exercise closely regulate the balance of bone homeostasis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), one of the first muscle-secreted factors to be discovered, not only plays an important role in regulating the function of the muscle itself but also regulates bone metabolic processes in a bidirectional manner through multiple complex signal transduction pathways, thereby affecting the balance between bone formation and bone resorption. The exact mechanism by which IL-6 regulates bone metabolism is not fully understood, and there are few summaries on how exercise affects bone metabolism through IL-6 from skeletal muscles. Accordingly, this study will take skeletal muscle-derived IL-6 as an entry point to explore how the cross-organ regulatory activities of the muscles targeting bones during exercise affect bone metabolic processes. This study also aims to improve the mechanism of muscle–bone crosstalk under the effect of exercise and provide a theoretical basis and clinical diagnosis and treatment ideas from multiple perspectives for exercise to improve bone health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry)
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25 pages, 998 KiB  
Review
Measuring Human Memory B Cells in Autoimmunity Using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot
by Georgia Stylianou, Greg A. Kirchenbaum, Paul V. Lehmann, Simon Pearce and Stephen Todryk
Biomolecules 2025, 15(5), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15050643 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 697
Abstract
The measurement of serum antibodies that specifically recognize self-antigens is a critical diagnostic in autoimmunity. A limitation of such an approach is sensitivity to detect the antibody, particularly when abundant self-antigens in the body may bind and sequester circulating specific antibodies. The presence [...] Read more.
The measurement of serum antibodies that specifically recognize self-antigens is a critical diagnostic in autoimmunity. A limitation of such an approach is sensitivity to detect the antibody, particularly when abundant self-antigens in the body may bind and sequester circulating specific antibodies. The presence of specific memory B cells (Bmem) may provide a more sensitive and robust indicator of an autoimmune response, as is suggested for certain anti-viral responses. B cell enzyme-linked ImmunoSpot (ELISPOT) is capable of detecting antigen-specific Bmem cells in blood at the single cell level, following stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to expand and differentiate the Bmem cells into functional antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). While this assay has been widely utilized in infectious diseases and vaccination, detection is more difficult for autoantigens due to self-tolerance and specific tissue compartmentalization of immune responses, making autoantigen-specific B cells rare in the circulation. The cycles of re-activation of Bmem cells to become ASCs, that may reflect disease flare-ups in autoimmunity, are not well defined. For several autoimmune diseases (ADs), the targeting of B cells via depleting monoclonal antibodies has proven to be an effective treatment, where Bmem cells are likely being targeted. The measurement of autoantigen-reactive Bmem cells may aid in diagnosis and staging of clinical severity, or be a metric for efficacious treatments, thus providing an additional informative biomarker of ADs. How B cell ELISPOT has been utilized to characterize Bmem cells in human ADs is described here, including the advantages and disadvantages of the assay. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry)
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36 pages, 2715 KiB  
Review
From Molecular Therapies to Lysosomal Transplantation and Targeted Drug Strategies: Present Applications, Limitations, and Future Prospects of Lysosomal Medications
by Adel A. Alhowyan and Gamaleldin I. Harisa
Biomolecules 2025, 15(3), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15030327 - 24 Feb 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1894
Abstract
Lysosomes are essential intracellular organelles involved in plentiful cellular processes such as cell signaling, metabolism, growth, apoptosis, autophagy, protein processing, and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Their dysfunction is linked to various diseases, including lysosomal storage disorders, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and aging. [...] Read more.
Lysosomes are essential intracellular organelles involved in plentiful cellular processes such as cell signaling, metabolism, growth, apoptosis, autophagy, protein processing, and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Their dysfunction is linked to various diseases, including lysosomal storage disorders, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and aging. This review focuses on current and emerging therapies for lysosomal diseases (LDs), including small medicines, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), gene therapy, transplantation, and lysosomal drug targeting (LDT). This study was conducted through databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and other research engines. To treat LDs, medicines target the lysosomal membrane, acidification processes, cathepsins, calcium signaling, mTOR, and autophagy. Moreover, small-molecule therapies using chaperones, macro-therapies like ERT, gene therapy, and gene editing technologies are used as therapy for LDs. Additionally, endosymbiotic therapy, artificial lysosomes, and lysosomal transplantation are promising options for LD management. LDT enhances the therapeutic outcomes in LDs. Extracellular vesicles and mannose-6-phosphate-tagged nanocarriers display promising approaches for improving LDT. This study concluded that lysosomes play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of numerous diseases. Thus, restoring lysosomal function is essential for treating a wide range of conditions. Despite endosymbiotic therapy, artificial lysosomes, lysosomal transplantation, and LDT offering significant potential for LD control, there are ample challenges regarding safety and ethical implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Cellular Biochemistry)
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