Mechanisms of Transcriptional Regulation in Disease: From Chromatin Dynamics to Therapeutic Innovation
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell and Gene Therapy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: epigenetic regulation, non -coding genome, histone acetylation; chromosomal translocation; BET inhibitors; regulatory genomics; multiple myeloma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: gene expression; transcriptional regulation; non-coding genome; epigenetics; haematological malignancies; therapeutic targets
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Gene transcription is a core biological process that determines cellular identity, function, and responsiveness to environmental signals. In the context of human disease, disruptions in transcriptional regulation can result in abnormal cellular behaviour and pathological outcomes. Advances in molecular biology, multi-omics technologies, and precision gene editing tools have revealed that transcription is a highly dynamic and multidimensional process. It involves intricate interactions among genetic and epigenetic regulators, nuclear complexes, chromatin architecture and supranuclear domains. A deeper understanding of these regulatory layers has opened new possibilities for therapeutic intervention. Epigenetic therapies—such as histone deacetylase (HDAC), bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors—are emerging as promising strategies to restore normal transcriptional activity by modulating chromatin structure and accessibility.
This Special Issue aims to highlight pioneering research on the mechanisms by which transcriptional regulation influences human disease and how these pathways can be therapeutically targeted. Featured topics will include:
- Epigenetically controlled genes and their therapeutic relevance;
- The role of the non-coding genome in transcriptional regulation;
- Nuclear architecture and enhancer dynamics in disease contexts;
- Mechanistic insights into transcriptional inhibitors;
- Transcription factor networks and chromatin regulators in disease establishment and progression;
- Innovative tools, strategies, and databases for transcriptional research;
- Development of novel drugs, inhibitors, and degraders targeting the transcriptional machinery.
Dr. Valentina Caputo
Dr. Joana R. Costa
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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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
- transcription regulation
- epigenomics
- multi-omics
- non-coding genome
- chromatin architecture/dynamics
- enhancers
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