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Latest Review Papers in Macromolecules 2025

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 5114

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiao Hu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science and Mathematics, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
Interests: polymer; biomaterials; biomacromolecules; regenerative medicine; drug delivery; nanotechnology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Salah-Eddine Stiriba

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Ciencia Molecular/ICMol, Universidad de Valencia, C/Catedrático José Beltrán 2, 46980 Valencia, Spain
Interests: computational chemistry; organic chemistry; polymer organics; hyperbranched polymers; dendrimers; supramolecular chemistry; homogenous catalysis; sustainable chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Zanotti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padova, Italy
Interests: structural biology; protein crystallography; cryo-electron microscopy; bacterial proteins; Helicobacter pylori; transport proteins
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to collect high-quality review papers in all the fields of Macromolecules. We encourage researchers from related fields to contribute review papers highlighting the latest developments in Macromolecules or to invite relevant experts and colleagues to do so. Full-length comprehensive reviews are preferred.

Dr. Xiao Hu
Prof. Dr. Salah-Eddine Stiriba
Prof. Dr. Giuseppe Zanotti
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 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

  • polymerization
  • macromolecules modification
  • composition and topologies of new macromolecular structures
  • structure–properties relationships
  • functional macromolecules
  • micelles
  • inverse micelles
  • supramolecular conjugates
  • order–disorder transition
  • spectroscopic methods
  • NMR
  • macromolecular crystallography
  • kinetics
  • thermodynamics
  • microcalorimetry
  • fluorescence
  • single-molecule microscopy
  • statistical mechanics
  • computer simulations
  • computational modeling
  • molecular modeling
  • biomacromolecules, sustainable/renewable macromolecules
  • macromolecular networks
  • stimulus-responsive macromolecules
  • nanostructured macromolecules
  • soft materials
  • artificial life
  • drug delivery

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Review

18 pages, 4352 KiB  
Review
LncRNA-Encoded Micropeptides: Expression Validation, Translational Mechanisms, and Roles in Cellular Metabolism
by Chul Woong Ho, Ji Won Lee, Chang Hoon Shin and Kyung-Won Min
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5913; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125913 (registering DOI) - 19 Jun 2025
Abstract
The discovery of functional micropeptides encoded by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has challenged the traditional view that these transcripts lack coding potential. With the advancement of high-resolution translation profiling combined with enhanced MS-based techniques, numerous lncRNAs have been found to harbor small open [...] Read more.
The discovery of functional micropeptides encoded by long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has challenged the traditional view that these transcripts lack coding potential. With the advancement of high-resolution translation profiling combined with enhanced MS-based techniques, numerous lncRNAs have been found to harbor small open reading frames (sORFs) that give rise to bioactive micropeptides. These peptides participate in diverse biological processes, particularly in cellular metabolism, by modulating enzymatic activity and metabolic pathways. However, the identification and functional characterization of these micropeptides remain technically challenging due to their small size, low abundance, and the need for rigorous downstream validation studies. This review encompasses a comprehensive overview of the biogenesis of lncRNA-derived micropeptides, methodologies for detecting and validating their expression, the molecular mechanisms governing their translation, and their emerging roles in metabolic regulation. By integrating current findings and technological advancements, we highlight the potential physiological and pathological implications of these micropeptides and outline future research directions in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Macromolecules 2025)
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27 pages, 1715 KiB  
Review
Osteopontin: Its Properties, Recent Studies, and Potential Applications
by Büşra Karasalih, Hatice Duman, Mikhael Bechelany and Sercan Karav
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(12), 5868; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26125868 - 19 Jun 2025
Abstract
OPN is a phosphorylated glycoprotein found in all vertebrate organisms and expressed in many tissues and secretions. It is a pleiotropic protein that plays diverse roles in various pathological and physiological processes. OPN is involved in many tissue transformation events such as intestinal [...] Read more.
OPN is a phosphorylated glycoprotein found in all vertebrate organisms and expressed in many tissues and secretions. It is a pleiotropic protein that plays diverse roles in various pathological and physiological processes. OPN is involved in many tissue transformation events such as intestinal and brain development, the regulation of immune system activity, immune cell activation, and inflammatory responses. This protein increases the functionality of the digestive system by regulating the intestinal microbiome and may help strengthen the intestinal barrier. OPN can also influence cognitive development and behavior. In addition, its recent association with cancer has gained critical importance. The increased expression of OPN has been observed in many cancer types, which may promote tumor cell metastasis. OPN is also effective in bacterial interaction and infections; it can prevent bacterial adhesion, supporting the development of new therapeutic approaches for oral care. Furthermore, the supplementation of OPN in infant formula has positively influenced the immune and intestinal health of infants. Many recent studies have focused on these aspects. This article provides a review and comparison of the existing knowledge on the structure and functions of OPN. It emphasizes how milk-derived OPN impacts human and infant health and disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Macromolecules 2025)
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28 pages, 1517 KiB  
Review
Lactoperoxidase: Properties, Functions, and Potential Applications
by Hasan Kutluay Özhan, Hatice Duman, Mikhael Bechelany and Sercan Karav
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5055; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115055 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 615
Abstract
Lactoperoxidase (LPO) (E.C. 1.11.1.7) is a member of the superfamily of mammalian heme peroxidases that is isolated from milk, and it is the first enzyme announced to be found in milk. In addition to milk, LPO is also found in saliva, tears, and [...] Read more.
Lactoperoxidase (LPO) (E.C. 1.11.1.7) is a member of the superfamily of mammalian heme peroxidases that is isolated from milk, and it is the first enzyme announced to be found in milk. In addition to milk, LPO is also found in saliva, tears, and airways (airway goblet cells and submucosal glands). It contributes significantly to the self-defense of the mammal body. It catalyzes the oxidation of certain molecules such as thiocyanate (SCN−), I−, and Br− in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). This reaction leads to the formation of antimicrobial products that have a great antimicrobial spectrum, including antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity, especially hypothiocyanite (OSCN−) and hypoiodite (OI−), which are coming into prominence via their high antimicrobial activity. The lactoperoxidase system (LPOS) is the system consisting of LPO, H2O2, and SCN−. LPO has a great potential to be used in various areas such as preservation and shelf-life elongation of milk; milk products; meat; meat products; plants, including fruits and vegetables; and oral care, diagnosis, immunomodulation, and treatment of nephrotoxicity. The LPO gene, along with LPO itself, is important for animals. In the absence of the LPO gene, there is an increase in the frequency of diverse diseases, including inflammation, tumor formation, and obesity. In this review, we mentioned general information about the enzyme LPO and its potential. Chemical properties and other features of other components of the LPOS, H2O2, and SCN− were also touched on the review. To offer readers a comprehensive understanding of the enzyme’s biological significance and research progress over time, both recent and older studies have been used together. Lastly, we discussed potential applications of LPO in different areas and left future remarks in the light of recent studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Macromolecules 2025)
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15 pages, 986 KiB  
Review
Advancements and Perspectives in Biodegradable Polyester Elastomers: Toward Sustainable and High-Performance Materials
by Lisheng Tang, Xiaoyan He and Ran Huang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(2), 727; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020727 - 16 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1269
Abstract
While the traditional rubber industry faces the severe pressure of environmental pollution and carbon emissions, bio-based and biodegradable elastomers have become a hot topic in the field and drawn intensive research interest. Inspired by polyester resin, incorporating polyol or polycarboxylic acid as a [...] Read more.
While the traditional rubber industry faces the severe pressure of environmental pollution and carbon emissions, bio-based and biodegradable elastomers have become a hot topic in the field and drawn intensive research interest. Inspired by polyester resin, incorporating polyol or polycarboxylic acid as a branching unit into aliphatic polyester and/or introducing a monomer with a C=C bond to provide open-bond cross-linking in the fashion of common vulcanization to form three-dimensional network structures are two mainstream strategies for designing biodegradable polyester elastomers (BPEs). Both methods encounter more or fewer problems, such as poor mechanical and thermal properties due to the easy hydrolysis of the ester bond and space hinderance, or the potential harm of the remaining degraded small molecules with olefin bonds. This article provides an overview of recent endeavors aimed at addressing these challenges and prospects the probable future advancements in the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Macromolecules 2025)
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24 pages, 7808 KiB  
Review
Super-Resolution Microscopy as a Versatile Tool in Probing Molecular Assembly
by Nan Sun, Shiwei Bai, Luru Dai and Yi Jia
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11497; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111497 - 26 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1882
Abstract
Molecular assembly is promising in the construction of advanced materials, obtaining structures with specific functions. In-depth investigation of the relationships between the formation, dynamics, structure, and functionality of the specific molecular assemblies is one of the greatest challenges in nanotechnology and chemistry, which [...] Read more.
Molecular assembly is promising in the construction of advanced materials, obtaining structures with specific functions. In-depth investigation of the relationships between the formation, dynamics, structure, and functionality of the specific molecular assemblies is one of the greatest challenges in nanotechnology and chemistry, which is essential in the rational design and development of functional materials for a variety of applications. Super-resolution microscopy (SRM) has been used as a versatile tool for investigating and elucidating the structures of individual molecular assemblies with its nanometric resolution, multicolor ability, and minimal invasiveness, which are also complementary to conventional optical or electronic techniques that provide the direct observation. In this review, we will provide an overview of the representative studies that utilize SRM to probe molecular assemblies, mainly focusing on the imaging of biomolecular assemblies (lipid-based, peptide-based, protein-based, and DNA-based), organic–inorganic hybrid assemblies, and polymer assemblies. This review will provide guidelines for the evaluation of the dynamics of molecular assemblies, assembly and disassembly processes with distinct dynamic behaviors, and multicomponent assembly through the application of these advanced imaging techniques. We believe that this review will inspire new ideas and propel the development of structural analyses of molecular assemblies to promote the exploitation of new-generation functional materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Review Papers in Macromolecules 2025)
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