Archaeal Proteases and Peptidases

Call for Papers

Archaea synthesize a broad diversity of proteases and peptidases. These hydrolytic enzymes provide new insight into mechanisms of peptide bond cleavage as exemplified by the self-compartmentalized proteasome, tetrahedral aminopeptidase (TET), and tricorn proteases. Many archaeal proteases and peptidases also have extremophilic properties that are exploited for use in bioindustry (such as the subtilisin-like serine proteases, prolidases, and deblocking aminopeptidases). Advances in genomic sequencing, enzyme structural analyses, proteomics, and genetic tools have greatly enhanced our ability to examine and understand the biochemical and physiological functions of archaeal proteases and peptidases. We invite authors to submit original research and review articles that provide insight into archaeal proteases and peptidases. We are interested in articles that explore aspects of archaeal protease/peptidase structure, function, biotechnological application, and genomic comparison. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Application of archaeal proteases and peptidases in biotechnological systems
• Purification and biochemical/structural characterization of archaeal proteases and peptidases
• Identification of new substrates of archaeal proteases and peptidases
• Development of novel methods to study protease and peptidase functions in the archaeal cell
• Analysis of gene expression and regulation of archaeal proteases and peptidases
• Comparative genomic studies that provide new insight into archaeal protease and peptidase functions
• Modeling, design, and computing studies of archaeal proteases and peptidases

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/arch/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/arch/app/ according to the following timetable:

Lead Guest Editor

• Julie Maupin-Furlow, Department of Microbiology and Cell Science and Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

Guest Editors

• Rosana De Castro, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata-CONICET, Mar del Plata, Argentina
• Amy Grunden, Department of Microbiology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
• Matthew Humbard, Laboratory of Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA