Guest Editors
Prof. Teresa Freire, Laboratorio de Inmunomodulación y Vacunas, Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La República, Uruguay.
Prof. Yu-Huei Liu, Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taiwan.
Summary
Glycobiology studies the structure, biosynthesis, and function of glycans, which are widely distributed in nature. Most glycans are found on the outermost surfaces of cellular and secreted macromolecules and are remarkably diverse. Simple and highly dynamic protein-bound glycans are also abundant in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells, where they exert regulatory effects. Glycosylation pathway diversity relies on the molecular backbone and the expression/activity of different glycosyltransferases and glycosidases. Thus, various types of glycans, such as N- and O-linked glycans, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans are synthesized. These can modulate or mediate a diverse range of physiological and pathophysiological functions, in a process in which glycan-binding proteins are essential. This special issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of N-glycosylation and O-glycosylation, their regulatory mechanisms, and their implications in various diseases, particularly chronic diseases of aging and cancer.
Topics may include but are not limited to:
1. Fundamental Biochemistry and Molecular Mechanisms of glycans: Providing insights into the glycosyltransferases or glycosidases involved in glycan biosynthesis.
2. Roles of Glycosylation in Diseases of Aging: Exploring the impact of dysregulated glycosylation in diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, among others, and highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
3. Glycosylation in Cancer Biology: Examining the role of glycosylation in cancer metabolism, tumor progression, and therapeutic resistance, and discussing the potential of targeting glycosylation for cancer treatment.
4. Immune Cell Regulation: Investigating the influence of glycosylation on immune cell development, activation and function, glycan-binding proteins, and its implications in immune-mediated diseases.
This special issue will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians interested in understanding the intricate regulatory mechanisms governed by protein glycosylation and its significance in health and disease. By bringing together contributions from experts in the field, we aim to foster interdisciplinary discussions and inspire new avenues of research in this rapidly evolving field.
Keywords
glycobiology, glycosylation, disease mechanisms, cancer biology, immune regulation
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