Targeting Epigenetic Complexes and Alternative Protein Degradation Pathways in Medicinal Chemistry
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 2904
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The development of novel therapeutic strategies that modulate intracellular protein homeostasis and epigenetic regulation is opening unprecedented avenues in medicinal chemistry. Beyond classical PROTACs and HDAC inhibitors, recent efforts have unveiled emerging platforms such as LYTACs, AUTACs, ATTECs, and small-molecule modulators of chromatin remodeling complexes (e.g., NuRD, SWI/SNF, PRC2). These non-canonical degradation mechanisms and epigenetic regulators play critical roles in the progression of cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders.
This Special Issue aims to highlight advances in the discovery and development of small molecules, hybrid compounds, conjugates, or molecular tools targeting either non-proteasomal degradation pathways or epigenetic protein complexes. Submissions may focus on molecular design, synthesis, SAR studies, mechanistic investigations, or therapeutic evaluation.
This Special Issue invites contributions that explore innovative small molecules, conjugates, and biologically active compounds designed to target these underexplored systems. We welcome original research and review articles covering:
- Inhibitors and degraders targeting chromatin remodeling complexes (e.g., CHD4, HDACs, EZH2, BRD proteins);
- Non-proteasomal degradation strategies: lysosome-targeting chimeras (LYTACs), autophagy-tethering compounds (AUTACs/ATTECs);
- Molecular mechanisms linking epigenetic control and protein stability;
- Rational design, synthesis, SAR studies, and degradation kinetics;
- Therapeutic applications in cancer, neurodegeneration, infectious and neglected diseases;
- Delivery systems or conjugates enabling selective engagement of epigenetic or degradation targets.
Dr. Jean Leandro Dos Santos
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 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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. 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
- protein degradation
- LYTAC
- AUTAC
- ATTEC
- epigenetics
- NuRD
- HDAC
- BRD
- SWI/SNF
- PRC2
- chromatin
- conjugates
- lysosome
- autophagy
- drug discovery
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
