About this Research Topic
Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP, also known as leucyl-cystinyl aminopeptidase, placental leucine aminopeptidase, and oxytocinase, EC 3.4.11.3) is a transmembrane, zinc-dependent aminopeptidase that performs a variety of important biological functions including the generation of antigenic peptides for cross-presentation, regulation of trafficking of glucose transporter type 4, and control of oxytocin levels in pregnancy. IRAP is also a specific binding site for angiotensin IV which, upon binding, serves as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme. Due to its involvement in several human disease states, IRAP is also an emerging pharmaceutical target.
This Research Topic focuses on recent discoveries on the biology of IRAP as well as on efforts to generate chemical tools to modulate its function for therapeutic interventions.
We welcome expert reviews of aspects of IRAP biology and pharmacology, as well as research papers describing novel findings, on the following sub-topics:
- IRAP structure, function, and enzymology
- Physiological roles of IRAP
- Pathological roles of IRAP
- IRAP as a biomarker of disease
- IRAP inhibitors: discovery, design, and pharmaceutical potential
- IRAP and immunity
Keywords: Enzyme Inhibitors, Immunology, Neurobiology, Cardiovascular Function, Metabolism
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
