Proteins are one of the molecular pillars of life and play a broad range of crucial functions, from extracellular recognition and adhesion to signal transmission, to metabolic reactions and expression modulation to structural roles. It is known that more than 30% of proteins require cofactors – metal ions or small organic molecules – to perform their biological functions. In addition, the binding of cofactors is intimately connected to folding processes. Cofactors thus represent essential players in cellular metabolism, assisting enzymatic catalysis and preserving the structural integrity of proteins.
Cofactors play crucial roles not only for the function of apoproteins, but also for their structure and stability in a cellular environment. As such, they can influence protein homeostasis, thus possibly affecting the onset of pathological conditions and/or the possibility to develop therapeutic strategies. In particular, genetic or acquired alterations that compromise cofactor binding may lead to misfolding or aggregation, which in turn translate into a loss of function and stability. Moreover, a proper cofactor metabolism is relevant to ensure protein homeostasis.
A deeper understanding of the role of cofactors in protein function and structure is of fundamental importance to unravel the mechanisms behind enzymes activity and regulation, protein overall stability and the molecular bases of a number of genetic and non-genetic disorders.
The goal of this Research Topic is to present the state of the art regarding the most recent advances on the structural and functional role of protein cofactors, including Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 related cofactors, Flavins, Fe-S clusters, heme, quinones and metal ions. Recent advances on cofactors metabolisms in humans will be also addressed.
This Research Topic aims at gathering the recent advancement regarding the impact of metal cofactors, coenzymes and prosthetic groups on human metabolism, under both physiological and pathological conditions. Authors are invited to contribute with significant original research articles and short communications; reviews and mini-reviews discussing recent advances in the field are welcome as well. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Enzymatic catalysis
• Protein folding and stability
• Structural biology
• Pathogenic variants
• Computational biology
• Cellular biochemistry
Proteins are one of the molecular pillars of life and play a broad range of crucial functions, from extracellular recognition and adhesion to signal transmission, to metabolic reactions and expression modulation to structural roles. It is known that more than 30% of proteins require cofactors – metal ions or small organic molecules – to perform their biological functions. In addition, the binding of cofactors is intimately connected to folding processes. Cofactors thus represent essential players in cellular metabolism, assisting enzymatic catalysis and preserving the structural integrity of proteins.
Cofactors play crucial roles not only for the function of apoproteins, but also for their structure and stability in a cellular environment. As such, they can influence protein homeostasis, thus possibly affecting the onset of pathological conditions and/or the possibility to develop therapeutic strategies. In particular, genetic or acquired alterations that compromise cofactor binding may lead to misfolding or aggregation, which in turn translate into a loss of function and stability. Moreover, a proper cofactor metabolism is relevant to ensure protein homeostasis.
A deeper understanding of the role of cofactors in protein function and structure is of fundamental importance to unravel the mechanisms behind enzymes activity and regulation, protein overall stability and the molecular bases of a number of genetic and non-genetic disorders.
The goal of this Research Topic is to present the state of the art regarding the most recent advances on the structural and functional role of protein cofactors, including Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 related cofactors, Flavins, Fe-S clusters, heme, quinones and metal ions. Recent advances on cofactors metabolisms in humans will be also addressed.
This Research Topic aims at gathering the recent advancement regarding the impact of metal cofactors, coenzymes and prosthetic groups on human metabolism, under both physiological and pathological conditions. Authors are invited to contribute with significant original research articles and short communications; reviews and mini-reviews discussing recent advances in the field are welcome as well. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Enzymatic catalysis
• Protein folding and stability
• Structural biology
• Pathogenic variants
• Computational biology
• Cellular biochemistry
