PLP-Dependent Enzymes
1Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
2Section of Biological Chemistry, Department of Life Sciences and Reproduction, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
3Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
PLP-Dependent Enzymes
Description
Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (PLP), the catalytically active form of vitamin B6, plays a central role in several cellular processes, acting as cofactor in more than 140 different enzyme reactions. PLP-dependent enzymes are involved in metabolism and conversion of amino acids, one-carbon units, biogenic amines, tetrapyrrolic compounds, and amino sugars. PLP-dependent enzymes play also a key role in sulfur assimilation and incorporation in cysteine, biotin, and S-adenosyl methionine. In human genome, more than fifty genes encode for the enzymes belonging to this class. The consequence of their widespread occurrence and crucial importance is that a number of PLP-dependent enzymes are current drug targets, and many others are envisaged for therapeutic intervention.
The main focus of this special issue will be on structural, functional, and biomedical studies on PLP-dependent enzymes. Papers dealing with PLP-dependent enzymes (i) that are targets of pharmacologically active compounds, (ii) whose functional deficiency or alteration causes known diseases, and (iii) whose function is unknown would be of great interest. Reviews summarizing the results of qualitative or quantitative studies and recent research on this area are particularly welcome. The special issue will become an international forum for researchers to summarize the most recent developments and ideas in the field of PLP-dependent enzymes, with a special emphasis given to applied aspects of this research area, which will allow efficient translation of proof of concepts into clinically useful agents for novel and innovative therapies. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Structure-function relationships of PLP-dependent enzymes and their complexes
- Development and application of biophysical and biochemical methods to study the interactions between PLP-dependent enzymes and their substrates and effectors, and to investigate PLP-mediated biochemical reactions
- Genome-scale analysis, functional genomics, and proteomics
- Theoretical and experimental studies of metabolic pathways and networks involving PLP
- Design and evaluation of inhibitors and drugs targeting PLP-dependent enzymes
- Computational and theoretical studies on the evolution of this superfamily
- Genetic engineering and biotechnology improving activity of PLP-dependent enzymes
Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/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/bmri/biochemistry/plp/ according to the following timetable: