For years, the study of Archaea at the DNA and RNA levels has uncovered strategies for replication, transcription, and related events which are either unique to this remarkable group of organisms or later found to also occur in bacteria and/or Eukarya. In contrast, largely due to a lack of suitable model systems and a limited number of appropriate molecular tools, considerably less was known about archaeal proteins in terms of their biogenesis, modification, trafficking and degradation. In recent years, however, advances in proteomics, successful in vitro reconstitutions and the development of reporter systems compatible with extreme conditions have begun to provide insight into different stages in the life of an archaeal protein.

For this special issue, members of the archaeal research community are invited to submit manuscripts summarizing recent findings in fields related to different aspects of archaeal protein processing. Summaries that also include descriptions of recent findings from the authors' laboratories are especially encouraged. Presubmission enquiries are welcome and should be addressed to the Lead Guest Editor. The main topics to be considered will include, but are not limited to:

• Initiation and regulation of protein translation
• Protein folding and chaperones
• Inteins
• Posttranslational modifications
• Intracellular protein localization
• Protein export
• Protein degradation
• Proteasomes and other energy-dependent proteases

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/ according to the following timetable: