Signaling Promiscuity of PI3K
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (12 October 2018) | Viewed by 26137
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Enzymes catalyzing the generation of 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides were discovered in 1989 [1]. Ten years later, this special enzymatic activity could be assigned to PI3K, a family of structurally-defined signaling proteins [2]. Based on shared enzymatic products and structural similarities of PI3K, similar biological functions of these proteins have been expected. Current insights challenge this simplified belief. Apparently, PI3K are able to impact basically all biological processes.
A striking example of the functional promiscuity of PI3K is the ongoing discussion about regulatory functions of the PI3K species PI3Kγ. PI3Kγ is strongly expressed in leukocytes and has been described as a key mediator of both pro-inflammatory [3,4] and anti-inflammatory processes [5]. These contradictory findings provoke questions of the validity of current heuristic approaches in signaling research.
In the planed anthology, we aim to examine puzzling experimental results on PI3K signaling in cells and organisms. Specifically, we propose to explore and to discuss the following topics:
- Complex functional patterns mediated by enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities of PI3K.
- Contradictory data sets about the functioning of PI3K species.
- Adaptive, possibly “hormetic” responses of PI3K signaling to different environmental conditions.
We especially suggest highlighting teleological approaches for the discussion of recent PI3K signaling data. The selection advantage of specific PI3K functions could be questioned. The idea of a “Signaling Darwinism” might be useful for the design of future signaling research after all.
Prof. Dr. Reinhard Wetzker
Guest Editor
References
- Whitman, M.; Downes, C.P.; Keeler, M.; Keller, T.; Cantley, L. Type I phosphatidylinositol kinase makes a novel inositol phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate. Nature 1988, 332, 644–646.
- Vanhaesebroeck, B.; Leevers, S.J.; Panayotou, G.; Waterfield, M.D. Phosphoinositide 3-kinases: A conserved family of signal transducers. Trends Biochem. Sci. 1997, 22, 267–272.
- Hirsch, E.; Katanaev, V,L.; Garlanda, C.; Azzolino, O.; Pirola, L.; Silengo, L.; Sozzani, S.; Mantovani, A.; Altruda, F.; Wymann, M.P. Central role for G protein-coupled phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma in inflammation. Science 2000, 287, 1049–1053.
- Rückle, T.; Schwarz, M.K.; Rommel, C. PI3Kgamma inhibition: Towards an 'aspirin of the 21st century'? Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 2006, 5, 903–918.
- Kaneda, M.M.; Messer, K.S.; Ralainirina, N.; Li, H.; Leem, C.J.; Gorjestani, S.; Woo, G.; Nguyen, A.V.; Figueiredo, C.C.; Foubert, P.; et al. PI3Kγ is a molecular switch that controls immune suppression. Nature 2016, 539, 437–442.
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
- PI3K
- signaling
- complex functional patterns
- contradictory results
- adaptive responses
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.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
