Dear Colleagues,

Metals are known to play fundamental roles in organisms across all domains of life, both as free ions or coupled to proteins. For this reason, their cellular levels are thoroughly controlled by homeostatic mechanisms, with abnormal concentrations being associated with toxicity and the development of a wide range of diseases. In metallo-proteins, the metals are the structural and/or catalytic core needed for these structures to perform their biological activities. Misfolding and aggregation of the metallo-proteins represent the basis of many diseases. A detailed understanding of the native structure, dynamics and function of the metallo-proteins and their alteration will provide new insights into disease mechanisms, but also novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

In this context, we propose this Special Issue, whose topics include, but are not limited to:

• roles of metal ions in metallo-protein folding, stability and functions;
• roles of metallo-proteins in misfolding diseases;
• metallomics studies; toxic metals effects;
• in another lane biomarkers for metallo-protein- associated diseases: screening, diagnosis, treatment response, and prognosis;
• interventions to prevent or reverse metallo-protein-related diseases.

We invite researchers to submit original articles, communications and reviews to for this Special Issue that address any aspect of metallo-proteins, ranging from an atomic/molecular to a cellular/human level.

Dr. Sabrina Esposito
Dr. Luigi Russo
Dr. Gaetano Malgieri
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• metal-binding proteins: structure, function and properties
• protein folding and dynamics
• metal ions exposure, uptake, toxicity
• coordination complex formation
• signal transduction
• molecular recognition
• abnormal metal-protein complex formations
• environmental contaminants
• mechanisms of action and effects on human health
• metallo-proteins as drug targets