Microproteins: From Identification to the Discovery of Their Functions

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few years, the landscape of the proteome (ensemble of proteins) has undergone a transformative shift with the revelation of the pervasive expression of microproteins in many species. These small proteins appear to be important players in key cellular processes. Hidden for a long time due to technological limitations, these small yet potent entities have emerged as pivotal regulators, captivating the scientific community's interest and inspiring a new wave of research.

Microproteins (also known as alternative proteins or short open reading frame-encoded peptides (SEPs)), typically defined as yet non-annotated proteins with fewer than 100 amino acids, have challenged traditional views on protein expression and the functional significance of small peptides. Technological advancements in ribosome profiling, mass spectrometry, transcriptomics, and functional genomics have redefined our ability to identify and characterize microproteins. This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest breakthroughs in the field, providing a platform for researchers to share insights into the identification, characterization, and functional elucidation of microproteins.

The scope of this Special Issue encompasses a diverse array of topics within the realm of microproteins, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Identification techniques: Cutting-edge methodologies for the accurate identification and quantification of microproteins;
2. Functional characterization: Investigations into the diverse roles and molecular mechanisms through which microproteins exert their influence on cellular processes;
3. Evolutionary conservation: Explorations of the evolutionary conservation and divergence of microproteins across species;
4. Technological innovations: Discussions of novel technologies and tools driving advancements in microprotein research;
5. Emerging trends: Highlighting emerging trends and future directions in the study of microproteins.

We invite researchers, academicians, and practitioners to contribute original research articles, reviews, and communications that advance our understanding of microproteins and their roles in cellular function. 

Dr. Bertrand Fabre
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. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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.

• microproteins
• short open reading frame-encoded peptides (SEPs)
• alternative proteins
• functional characterization
• mass spectrometry
• transcriptomics
• ribosome profiling
• functional genomics
• molecular mechanisms
• cellular processes
• signaling pathways
• cellular homeostasis
• protein–protein interactions