Proteases of the Prokaryotic Cell Envelope

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Background

Our knowledge about the physiological role of the various proteases located in the prokaryotic cell envelope has improved in recent years, as has our understanding of their structure and function. Their great importance in a range of highly diverse cellular processes has been illustrated, including stress responses, signaling pathways, cell wall biogenesis and cell wall remodeling, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, cargo transport, protein quality control, and more. Proteases are categorized into different families according to structure and catalytic mechanism, for example, rhomboids, site-2 proteases, presenilin-related aspartyl proteases, signal peptidases, site-1 proteases, AAA proteases, and DegP. The physicochemical properties of the proteases and their environment have interesting functional implications and have created experimental challenges that, in many cases, had to be overcome by novel analytical methods.

Compared to other prokaryotic proteases, much less is known about those located in the cell envelope. Owing to the diversity of protease functions, the research field is very scattered. This Research Topic aims to bring together studies on different aspects and using different tools in protease research. The goal is to provide a broad overview of current research trends in the field to draw a clearer picture of the status quo and to elaborate upon the most important themes such as physiological relevance and processes regulated, natural protease targets, and protease networks. Furthermore, this Research Topic aims to stimulate discussions about future directions in prokaryotic proteolysis research and provide novices in the field a timely knowledge base.
A greater understanding of the basic aspects of prokaryotic cell envelope proteases will undoubtedly propel the development of novel antibiotic treatments and therapeutic strategies for the control of human diseases, as well as biotechnological applications.

This Research Topic welcomes article types including Original Research, Reviews, and Perspectives from the following areas in prokaryotic cell envelope protease research:
• Protease mechanism & regulation
• Protease networks
• Methods and tools to study membrane and cell envelope-associated proteases
• Protease substrates
• Protease structure
• Protease function
• Biomedical & biotechnological applications
• Evolution & Ecology

Keywords: membrane, periplasm, proteolysis, protease, proteostasis

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.

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