About this Research Topic

Background

The purine/purinergic system has emerged as a fundamental regulator of cellular communication, influencing various physiological processes such as metabolism, energy balance, and signal transduction. Key molecules like ATP, ADP, and adenosine, acting through purinergic receptors (P1 and P2), have been implicated in the regulation of endocrine functions, including insulin secretion, glucose metabolism, and lipid handling. As a result, purinergic signaling has been recognized for its critical role in metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity. Despite these discoveries, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how this signaling system interacts with the broader endocrine network, particularly in the modulation of hormonal pathways, energy homeostasis, and tissue-specific metabolic functions. Moreover, arguments for the regulation of cellular and molecular mechanisms by the purinergic system in disorders of bone metabolism, immunity and cancer have reached a firm ground. A more comprehensive understanding of the purine/purinergic system dictating the compromised and dysregulated endocrine responses could unlock new therapeutic strategies to rebalance hormones in these disorders.

The aim of this research topic is to address critical questions about the involvement of the purine/purinergic system in metabolic regulation and signal transduction within the endocrine context. Specifically, how purines and purinergic signaling directly modulate endocrine functions such as insulin secretion, glucose uptake, and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, we aim to highlight the indirect role of purines and purinergic signaling in underpinning the endocrine/paracrine networks in regulatory tissues and organs. This topic will collect contributions and points of view from endocrinology experts with a focus on correcting the imbalance in purine metabolism in metabolic diseases and imbalance disorders. We welcome manuscripts in the form of Original Research, Reviews, Opinions, Mini Reviews, or Perspectives that critically argue the state-of-the-art of the purine/purinergic system in the prevention and relief of human disorders and/or provide exciting insights into the treatment of human diseases. Areas of focus include but are not limited to the following key sub-areas:

· Explore how purinergic receptors interact with metabolic hormones and regulatory factors in tissues like pancreatic β-cells, hepatocytes, adipocytes, and myocytes.

· Investigate how purinergic signaling modulates insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, and the development of insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

· Examine how the purinergic system affects lipid metabolism, including adipogenesis, lipolysis, and adipose tissue regulation in obesity and related conditions.

· Assess the therapeutic potential of modulating purinergic signaling pathways, focusing on drug development and novel treatments for metabolic diseases.

· Study how purinergic signaling regulates inflammation and immune responses in metabolic disorders, particularly its role in chronic low-grade inflammation in obesity and diabetes.

Article types and fees

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

• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• ... 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:

• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Purinergic, Signaling, Purine, Metabolism, Therapeutic, Diabetes

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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