Modulating Cellular Stress Responses: From Molecular Mechanisms to Drug Discovery

Cells face constant threats from inside and out. Thus, they’ve evolved sophisticated stress response pathways such as the unfolded protein response (UPR), autophagy, DNA damage response (DDR), and oxidative stress pathways—to maintain cellular homeostasis. When these pathways malfunction, they drive major diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic conditions. This makes their key components prime targets for therapeutic invention.This Research Topic bridges fundamental stress biology with experimental drug discovery. We welcome cutting-edge work that reveals how small molecules and biopharmaceuticals interact with these pathways—spanning target identification, mechanism of action studies, and lead compound characterization.We invite high-quality Original Research, Reviews, and Mini-Reviews in experimental pharmacology and drug development, with a focus on cellular stress response pathways. Key areas of interest:Target discovery & Validation: Systematic discovery of novel, druggable components within stress pathways through proteomics and system biology approachesDrug Design & Synthesis: Rationale design and synthesis of small molecules targeting key regulators in stress response pathways guided by Molecular modeling, docking molecular dynamic simulation and structure-activity relationshipMode of Action: Elucidating how compounds precisely modulate targets (enzymes, receptors, transcription factors, etc.)Screening & Lead Discovery: High-throughput screening and innovative approaches to identify new hits, and hit to lead optimization strategiesCase studies: Advancing hits into potent, selective drug candidatesPharmacological Characterization: In-depth analysis of investigational drugs in relevant in vitro/in vivo modelsChemical Probes: Developing selective tools to interrogate in depth analysis of stress pathway biologyTargeted protein degradation (TPD): Development and advancement of molecular glues or PROTACs selectively targeting stress pathways.Please note that submissions lacking experimental validation of in silico findings will not be considered. Topic editors: Soheila Rezaei Adariani, Anil Kumar Sharma, Althaf Shaik, Ajay Sharma Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78928/modulating-cellular-stress-responses-from-molecular-mechanisms-to-drug-discovery