Exploring the Structural and Functional Diversity of Proteins: Foundations of Life and Biological Complexity
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 768
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Proteins are fundamental to life, with a vast array of structures and functions essential to biological processes. ATPases, such as AAA+ proteins, power cellular maintenance through substrate translocation, while RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate gene expression and RNA metabolism. Protein kinases, through phosphorylation, control cell signaling pathways critical for growth and survival. These proteins exhibit a dynamic range of mechanisms revealed in recently advanced cryo-electron microscopy studies, which suggest the adaptable nature of these biomolecules. These proteins play pivotal roles in aging, neurodegeneration, and cancer, where dysregulation can lead to disease progression. Misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative disorders, overactive kinases in cancer, and cellular decline in aging highlight their significance in human health and disease. This issue explores how structural variations in proteins drive diverse functions and adaptability, crucial to life’s complexity and evolutionary innovation.
Dr. Jiabei Lin
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- AAA+ protein
- RNA-binding protein
- protein kinase
- PTMs
- protein structure, function, and diseases
- protein and RNA homeostasis
- neurodegeneration
- cancer
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