About this Research Topic

Background

NO-stimulated guanylyl cyclases (sGC or GC1/GC2) are heterodimeric enzymes specialized to produce cGMP in large quantities upon reversible NO binding to a prosthetic haem-group. Two isoforms are existing, GC1 and GC2. GC1 is the predominant isoform in most of the cell types, except in neurons where both isoforms are expressed equally. The enzymes are tuned to detect even short, low-amplitude NO signals and transduce them at several hundred-fold amplification, such that activation of a small fraction of intact sGC (~2%) is sufficient to elicit a physiological effect. NO/sGC signaling is involved in the regulation of many organ systems, with the cardiovascular being the most extensively studied. Here it exerts a continuous influence on the adjustment of vascular tone and local blood flow, as well as platelet and leukocyte reactivity. Accordingly, impaired NO/sGC signaling is associated with decreased vascular relaxation, development of hypertension, and increased risk of myocardial infarction.

Activity of sGC depends on the redox state of the haem-group. Only sGC with a reduced haem iron (Fe2+) respond to NO, whereas sGC with an oxidized one (Fe3+) is not activated by NO. Notably, sGC does not bind oxygen, leading to haem oxidation through NO deoxygenation in other haem proteins, which points to a self-protective mechanism from oxidation. With the advent of sGC activators, compounds that target the oxidized/haem-free form of sGC, as demonstrated using purified enzyme, the previously unknown existence of distinct sGC redox states in cells has been suggested; increased sensitivity of the sGC signaling to these compounds was judged as an increase in oxidized/haem-free sGC and conversely, a decrease in sensitivity was taken as an indicator of sGC-haem reduction. Accordingly, it is proposed that the level of oxidized/haem-free sGC is elevated in disease states associated with oxygen/nitrogen species. Concomitantly, it has also been shown that endogenous antioxidants such as methaemoglobin reductase and hydrogen sulfide can reverse sGC-haem oxidation. At the same time, redox regulation of sGC can also occur through specific cysteine residues, leading to a higher level of complexity regarding possible redox-based modifications of sGC, their regulation, and their impact on sGC signaling.

This Research Topic aims to assemble a series of articles on the redox regulation of sGC through haem and cysteine residues and its impact on sGC signaling. We welcome contributions in the form of original research, reviews, and scientific-based essays/short communications, which will help to extend and consolidate our knowledge. Since most of the work has been conducted in in vitro systems we want to focus on integrative approaches explore the in vivo redox regulation of sGC in physiology and disease. Many fundamental questions also remain unanswered, including: (1) in what ratio do the different redox-based modifications of sGC coexist? (2) To what extent can their relationship be shifted by endogenous factors? (3) And, what is the biological consequence of this?

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: sGC, guanylyl cyclase, nitric oxide, cGMP, redox regulation, haem, cystein, signalling, vascular relaxation, blood pressure

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.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a Research Topic?

  Frontiers' Research Topics are collaborative hubs built around an emerging theme.Defined, managed, and led by renowned researchers, they bring communities together around a shared area of interest to stimulate collaboration and innovation.

  Unlike section journals, which serve established specialty communities, Research Topics are pioneer hubs, responding to the evolving scientific landscape and catering to new communities.

• Why does Frontiers publish Research Topics? 

  The goal of Frontiers' publishing program is to empower research communities to actively steer the course of scientific publishing. Our program was implemented as a three-part unit with fixed field journals, flexible specialty sections, and dynamically emerging Research Topics, connecting communities of different sizes and maturity.

  Research Topics originate from the scientific community. Many of our Research Topics are suggested by existing editorial board members who have identified critical challenges or areas of interest in their field.

• Why are Research Topics important for journals?

  As an editor, Research Topics will help you build your journal, as well as your community, around emerging, cutting-edge research. As research trailblazers, Research Topics attract high-quality submissions from leading experts all over the world.

  A thriving Research Topic can potentially evolve into a new specialty section if there is sustained interest and a growing community around it.

• How do we ensure the quality of articles within Research Topics?

  Each Research Topic must be approved by the specialty chief editor, and they fall under the editorial oversight of our editorial boards, supported by our in-house research integrity team. The same standards and rigorous peer review processes apply to articles published as part of a Research Topic as for any other article we publish.

    In 2023, 80% of the Research Topics we published were edited or co-edited by our editorial board members, who are already familiar with their journal's scope, ethos, and publishing model. All other topics are guest edited by leaders in their field, each vetted and formally approved by the specialty chief editor.

• What are the benefits of publishing my article in a Research Topic?

  Publishing your article within a Research Topic with other related articles increases its discoverability and visibility, which can lead to more views, downloads, and citations. Research Topics grow dynamically as more published articles are added, causing frequent revisiting, and further visibility.

  As Research Topics are multidisciplinary, they are cross-listed in several fields and section journals – increasing your reach even more and giving you the chance to expand your network and collaborate with researchers in different fields, all focusing on expanding knowledge around the same important topic.

  Our larger Research Topics are also converted into ebooks and receive social media promotion from our digital marketing team.

   
• What types of articles can be published in a Research Topic?

  Frontiers offers multiple article types, but it will depend on the field and section journals in which the Research Topic will be featured. The available article types for a Research Topic will appear in the drop-down menu during the submission process.

  Check available article types here 

• Can I suggest a new Research Topic? 

  Yes, we would love to hear your ideas for a topic. Most of our Research Topics are community-led and suggested by researchers in the field. Our in-house editorial team will contact you to talk about your idea and whether you’d like to edit the topic. If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. 

  Suggest your topic here 

• Who leads a Research Topic? 

  A team of guest editors (called topic editors) lead their Research Topic. This editorial team oversees the entire process, from the initial topic proposal to calls for participation, the peer review, and final publications.

  The team may also include topic coordinators, who help the topic editors send calls for participation, liaise with topic editors on abstracts, and support contributing authors. In some cases, they can also be assigned as reviewers.

• What is the role of a topic editor?

  As a topic editor (TE), you will take the lead on all editorial decisions for the Research Topic, starting with defining its scope. This allows you to curate research around a topic that interests you, bring together different perspectives from leading researchers across different fields and shape the future of your field. 

   

  You will choose your team of co-editors, curate a list of potential authors, send calls for participation and oversee the peer review process, accepting or recommending rejection for each manuscript submitted.

• What support will I receive when editing a new Research Topic? 

  As a topic editor, you're supported at every stage by our in-house team. You will be assigned a single point of contact to help you on both editorial and technical matters. Your topic is managed through our user-friendly online platform, and the peer review process is supported by our industry-first AI review assistant (AIRA).

• As a junior researcher, can I be involved in editing a Research Topic? 

  If you’re an early-stage researcher, we will offer you the opportunity to coordinate your topic, with the support of a senior researcher as the topic editor. This provides you with valuable editorial experience, improving your ability to critically evaluate research articles and enhancing your understanding of the quality standards and requirements for scientific publishing, as well as the opportunity to discover new research in your field, and expand your professional network.

• Can I get a certificate for editing a Research Topic?

  Yes, certificates can be issued on request. We are happy to provide a certificate for your contribution to editing a successful Research Topic.

• Who will I collaborate with?

  Research Topics thrive on collaboration and their multi-disciplinary approach around emerging, cutting-edge themes, attract leading researchers from all over the world.

• How long does it take to publish a Research Topic?

  As a topic editor, you can set the timeline for your Research Topic, and we will work with you at your pace. Typically, Research Topics are online and open for submissions within a few weeks and remain open for participation for 6 – 12 months. Individual articles within a Research Topic are published as soon as they are ready.

  Find out more about our Research Topics

• What fee support is available to authors publishing in a Research Topic?

  Our fee support program ensures that all articles that pass peer review, including those published in Research Topics, can benefit from open access – regardless of the author's field or funding situation.

  Authors and institutions with insufficient funding can apply for a discount on their publishing fees. A fee support application form is available on our website.

• Will there be a printed version of my RT?

  In line with our mission to promote healthy lives on a healthy planet, we do not provide printed materials. All our articles and ebooks are available under a CC-BY license, so you can share and print copies.