Biochemical Interaction and Supramolecular Complexes of Receptors in Cell Membranes

Dear Colleagues,

The intricate interplay of biochemical interactions and supramolecular complexes formed by receptors in cell membranes constitutes a fundamental aspect of cellular metabolic regulation. Receptors detect and respond to various extracellular signals, ensuring proper cellular function and homeostasis. Ligands induce receptor activation supporting receptor–receptor and/or receptor–coreceptor interaction. Oligomerization is widely acknowledged as a fundamental mechanism for activating various types of receptors, including hormone and growth factor receptors, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), lymphokine receptors, T- and B-cell receptors, and other families of cell surface receptors. In response to extracellular stimuli, receptors undergo dynamic modifications in their affinity and persist in the supramolecular complexes state. Consequently, "short-lived complexes" emerge, maintaining a dynamic equilibrium with monomers that freely diffuse within the cellular membrane.

Dysfunction or dysregulation of receptor dynamics can lead to a wide range of diseases.

In various pathological conditions, the aberrant activation of receptors or dysregulated downstream signaling pathways have been described as inducers of atypical cell behavior and cell metabolism. Disturbances in receptor-mediated signaling have been linked to cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune diseases, endocrine disorders, cancers, and many other conditions.

In this Special Issue, we invite contributions that shed light on the biochemical interactions and supramolecular complexes of cell membrane receptors and the development of chemosensors and molecular probes to highlight receptor behavior. We encourage researchers to submit manuscripts presenting original research findings, innovative methodologies, and conceptual advances in this field. The aim is to deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying receptor-mediated signaling and explore the potential therapeutic implications.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ligand-induced receptor activation and oligomerization;
• Receptor–ligand binding kinetics and thermodynamics;
• Chemosensors for receptor activation;
• Structural insights into receptor complexes and their functional implications;
• Modulation of receptor biochemistry by membrane microdomains and development of molecular probes for receptors dynamics;
• Supramolecular complexes and chemosensors for downstream signaling cascades;
• Receptor clustering and spatial organization in the cell membrane;
• Role of receptor oligomerization in cellular processes and disease pathogenesis;
• Emerging RNA technologies and experimental approaches to study receptor complexes;
• Therapeutic targeting of receptor complexes for disease intervention.

By compiling a diverse collection of research articles, reviews, and perspectives, this Special Issue aims to foster collaboration and exchange of knowledge among researchers working on the intricate biochemical interactions and supramolecular complexes of receptors in cell membranes.

We welcome researchers from various disciplines to contribute their expertise and insights to this Special Issue, providing a comprehensive overview of the current understanding and future directions in the field of receptor biology and cell membrane signaling.

Dr. Michela Corsini
Prof. Dr. Stefania Mitola
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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.

• membrane receptors
• molecular complex
• membrane microdomains