Latest Molecular Advances in Autophagy
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 1280
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Autophagy is a fundamental mechanism in the regulation of cell fate, playing a crucial role in the selective removal of protein aggregates and dysfunctional organelles. The degradation products, such as amino acids, lipids, and sugars, are recycled to support cell survival, especially during nutrient deprivation.
Autophagy and apoptosis are two essential processes that govern cell fate, and their signaling pathways are highly interconnected through various mechanisms of crosstalk. A key site for this interaction is the mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), which function as regulatory hubs for both apoptosis and autophagy, as well as for tumor growth, thus influencing the balance between cell survival and death under both physiological and pathological conditions.
This growing understanding of MAMs and their associated molecular mechanisms opens new avenues for therapeutic strategies targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases. Autophagy has also been identified as a crucial process in the survival and function of T and B lymphocytes, with its activation playing a role in resistance to apoptosis in autoimmune disorders. Beyond its conventional roles, autophagy has been shown to facilitate the secretion of cytosolic and membrane proteins through an unconventional pathway, impacting intercellular communication—a process referred to as "secretory autophagy".
The aim of this Special Issue is to delve into the signaling pathways governing autophagy and their regulatory mechanisms, while investigating the bioactive properties of antitumor drugs, with a particular focus on their role in modulating cell death and autophagy-related processes that contribute to tumor progression. Additionally, it seeks to uncover how the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis influences therapeutic outcomes in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Gaining deeper insights into the latest molecular advances in autophagy is crucial for understanding the regulatory mechanisms that govern cell death and survival. This knowledge could pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Dr. Gloria Riitano
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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
- autophagy
- lipid rafts
- Beclin 1
- autoimmune diseases
- cancer
- clock genes
- CLOCK
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.
