Polyamines, Arginine and Pathogens: From Fundamental Biology to Host-Pathogen Dynamics
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 30
Special Issue Editors
Interests: the neglected tropical disease leishmaniasis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: molecular biology; cell biology; metabolism; host–pathogen interaction; Leishmania; Trypanosoma
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Arginine and its downstream metabolites, polyamines, are critical regulators of cellular function in both pathogens and their hosts. These molecules influence a wide array of biological processes, including metabolism, stress adaptation, immune modulation, and virulence. In infectious diseases, pathogens not only depend on polyamine metabolism for survival and proliferation but also manipulate host arginine and polyamine pathways to promote infection and evade immune defenses.
This Special Issue delves into the diverse and interconnected roles of arginine and polyamines in microbial physiology and host–pathogen interactions. Featuring research across bacterial, parasitic, and viral systems, it highlights recent discoveries in the fundamental biology of these pathways, their contributions to infection and immunity, and emerging strategies for therapeutic intervention. By bridging basic and translational science, this collection aims to foster a deeper understanding of arginine and polyamine biology in the context of infectious disease. We welcome authors to submit original research or review articles on topics including, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Polyamines and stress adaptation in pathogens;
- Comparative polyamine biology in bacterial, parasitic, and viral pathogens;
- Systems biology, imaging, and genetic tools to investigate arginine and polyamine pathways in infection;
- Host–pathogen competition for arginine and polyamine resources;
- Mechanisms of immune modulation via arginine or polyamine pathways;
- Crosstalk between host and microbial arginine/polyamine metabolism;
- Enzymes and transporters regulating polyamine biosynthesis and uptake in pathogens;
- Therapeutic targeting of arginine or polyamine metabolism in infectious diseases;
- Emerging inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis and/or transport.
Prof. Dr. Sigrid C. Roberts
Prof. Dr. Nicola Carter
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. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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
- pathogens
- polyamines
- polyamine metabolism
- putrescine
- spermidine
- spermine
- arginase
- eiF5A
- host–pathogen interactions
- infectious diseases
- bacteria
- viruses
- parasites
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.
