A single protein can perform different functions within a cell, as a result of covalent post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, ADP-ribosylation, glycosylation, acetylation, methylation etc. These chemical modifications are reversible, resulting from the functions of specific enzymes. Thus, PTMs diversify the function of the proteome in normal cellular functioning and in disease pathogenesis. Improving our understanding of PTMs will shed light on the molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. Phosphorylation and poly(ADPribosyl)ation play critical roles in tumor progression and metastasis. As a result, various kinases and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are key regulatory proteins in cancer progression. Further advancement of research, and critical analyses of these two types of PTMs is crucial to improve our understanding of cancer progression, as well as the prevention and treatment of cancer.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis concerning two specific types of PTMs – phosphorylation, and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. Contributions to this Research Topic are expected to go beyond identification of novel PTMs of marker proteins involved in tumor progression and metastasis, and must provide mechanistic insight into how these marker proteins exert their effects.

Submission suggestions include (but are not limited to)

• Methods pieces: Describing new cost-effective methods of studying PTMs/target proteins in metastasis.
• Perspectives pieces on PTMs of key proteins for cancer prevention and therapy.
• Reviews and mini-reviews on methods, protocols, challenges and potentials of PTMs in cancer therapy

Please note: studies consisting solely of bioinformatic investigation of publicly available genomic/transcriptomic/proteomic data do not fall within the scope of the section unless they are expanded and provide significant biological or mechanistic insight into the process being studied.

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Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

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