IUBMB Journal Highlights | April 2025

We are excited to highlight new research from the IUBMB Journals: IUBMB Life, BioFactors, Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education.

Please also consider submitting your own research to the IUBMB Journals. You can expect to work with distinguished Editorial Board members and benefit from worldwide circulation and readership through our publishing partnership with Wiley. For more information about the journal and submissions, feel free to peruse the IUBMB journals website.

For now, please enjoy highlights of our recent content. Happy reading!

IUBMB Life
New Issue: Volume 77, Issue 4

Issue Highlights (Open Access)

Yeast models for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease-causing aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase alleles reveal the cellular basis of disease

Mahmood M, Little E, Girard N, Wu F, Samuels T, Heinemann IU, et al. Yeast models for Charcot-Marie- Tooth disease-causing aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase alleles reveal the cellular basis of disease. IUBMB Life. 2025; 77(4):e70017.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a genetically diverse hereditary disorder that affects the motor and sensory nerves, impacting about 1 in 2500 people. It can be inherited through autosomal dominant (AD), autosomal recessive (AR), or X-linked genetic patterns. CMT2, one of the primary subtypes, is characterized by axonal degeneration and commonly presents with muscle weakness, atrophy, foot deformities, and sensory loss. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) play an important role in the genetic underpinnings of CMT2, with more than 60 disease-causing alleles identified across eight different aaRSs. Mutations in aaRS genes can lead to destabilization of the enzyme, reduced aminoacylation, and aberrant protein complex formation. Yeast as a simple organism provides a robust model system to study the pathogenic effects of aaRS CMT mutations. In this review, the authors discuss the advantages and limitations of the yeast model systems for CMT2-causative mutations in aaRS.

Ischemic preconditioning attenuates ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury dependent on mitochondrial protease CLPP

Xie W, Gao L, Gu X, Li L, Zheng H, Wang L, et al. Ischemic preconditioning attenuates ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury dependent on mitochondrial protease CLPP. IUBMB Life. 2025; 77(4):e70015.

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a phenomenon in which brief periods of ischemia trigger protective mechanisms that alleviate subsequent ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI), although the precise protective mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the mechanism by which IPC protects acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by renal IRI. This study indicates that IPC can ameliorate renal IRI injury and that its effect is dependent on CLPP.

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SPECIAL ISSUES OPEN FOR SUBMISSION

Special Issue on Computational Biology in Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Cancer Immunotherapy
- Deadline for Submissions: 31 July 2025
The Role of Human Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease
- Deadline for Submissions: 30 June 2026

CALL FOR PAPERS – SPECIAL ISSUES PROPOSALS

IUBMB Life solicits proposals for special issues relevant to the mission of our journal in the field of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Structural Biology and Molecular Medicine and pertinent areas. This is an open call for Special Issue Proposals, and all submissions will be reviewed in a timely manner. We will provide streamlined editorial support and assistance to the special issue guest editors.

Application Process

Prospective guest editor(s) need to complete the Special Issue Proposal Form available online and submit it to adaragshet@wiley.com, together with the CV(s) of the proposed guest editor(s). Please state “IUBMB – SI proposal submission” in the subject line of your submission email.

A special issue proposal should include the following content:

A short title that can clearly describe the scope of special issue;
A short introduction about the significance of the special issue;
Basic information and CV of Lead Guest Editor and Co-Guest Editors;
List of potential authors and their tentative article titles;
The estimated number of submissions;
Proposed timeline.

Please visit the journal homepage for more information.

BioFactors
New Issue: Volume 51, Issue 2

Issue Highlights (Open Access)

Protective effect of melatonin against blue light-induced cell damage via the TRPV1–YAP pathway in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes

Choi S, Yu E, Park S-H, Oh SW, Kwon K, Kim G, et al. Protective effect of melatonin against blue light- induced cell damage via the TRPV1–YAP pathway in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes. BioFactors. 2025; 51(2):e70015.

Although blue light has been known to negatively affect skin cells, its detailed signaling mechanisms and anti-blue light agents have not been clearly elucidated. The authors investigated the involvement of Yes- associated protein (YAP)-mediated Hippo signaling in blue light-induced apoptosis, depending on the degree of blue light exposure. Additionally, they elucidated the effects of melatonin on blue light- irradiated keratinocytes and examined their action mechanisms. After blue light irradiation, its effects and antagonizing effects of melatonin on cell proliferation, apoptosis, DNA damage, and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)/YAP-mediated signaling were examined in HaCaT cells using western blots, image analysis, flow cytometric analysis, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunocytochemistry.

The role of NRF2 transcription factor in inflammatory skin diseases

Salman S, Paulet V, Hardonnière K, Kerdine-Römer S. The role of NRF2 transcription factor in inflammatory skin diseases. BioFactors. 2025; 51(2):e70013.

The skin is the body’s largest organ and performs several vital functions, such as controlling the movement of essential substances while protecting against external threats. Although mainly composed of keratinocytes (KCs), the skin also contains a complex network of immune cells that play a critical role in host defense and maintaining skin homeostasis. The present review highlights the crucial role of Nrf2 in KCs for maintaining skin homeostasis and regulating skin immunity, as well as its contribution to the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases. Finally, a particular emphasis will be placed on the therapeutic potential of targeting the Nrf2 pathway to alleviate symptoms of these inflammatory skin disorders.

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BIOFACTORS EDITOR’S CHOICE VIRTUAL ISSUE: HIGHLIGHTING TOP PAPERS FROM 2023-2024

BioFactors has recently launched a virtual issue – Editor’s Choice (2023-2024) – featuring a curated selection of high-interest papers published during 2023-2024.

Explore these noteworthy contributions today!

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CALL FOR PAPERS

Unlocking the Secrets of Lipocalins: Navigating Their Role in Cell Communication and Signalling
- Submission deadline: Thursday, 31 July 2025
The Role of Fermented Foods in Nutrition and Health
- Submission deadline: Thursday, 31 July 2025
The Role of Human Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease
- Submission deadline: Tuesday, 30 June 2026

CALL FOR SPECIAL ISSUE PROPOSALS

BioFactors solicits proposals for special issues relevant to the mission of our journal in the field of biological factors and pertinent areas. This is an open call for Special Issue Proposals, and all submissions will be reviewed in a timely manner. We will provide streamlined editorial support and assistance to the special issue guest editors.

Application Process

Prospective guest editor(s) need to complete the Special Issue Proposal Form (downloadable from the BioFactors’ homepage) and submit it to adaragshet@wiley.com, together with the CV(s) of the proposed guest editor(s). Please state “BIOF – SI proposal submission” in the subject line of your submission email.

A special issue proposal should include the following content:

A short title that can clearly describe the scope of special issue.
A short introduction about the significance of the special issue.
Basic information and CV of Lead Guest Editor and Co-Guest Editors.
List of potential authors and their tentative article titles.
The estimated number of submissions.
Proposed timeline.

Please visit the journal homepage for more information.

Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry
New Issue: Volume 72, Issue 2

Issue Highlights (Open Access)

Identification of dilated cardiomyopathy-linked key genes by bioinformatics methods and evaluating the impact of tannic acid and monosodium glutamate in rats

Karadas H, Tosun H, Ceylan H. Identification of dilated cardiomyopathy-linked key genes by bioinformatics methods and evaluating the impact of tannic acid and monosodium glutamate in rats. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2025; 72: 377–387.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common type of myocardial dysfunction, affecting mostly young adults, but its therapeutic diagnosis and biomarkers for prognosis are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the possible effect of the common food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG) and tannic acid (TA), a phenolic compound, on the key molecular actors responsible for DCM. Our results provide new insights into critical molecular mechanisms that should be focused on in future DCM studies. Moreover, MSG may play a critical role in DCM formation, and TA may be used as a promising therapeutic agent in DCM.

Escherichia coli in the production of biopharmaceuticals

İncir İ, Kaplan Ö. Escherichia coli in the production of biopharmaceuticals. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2025; 72: 528–541.

Escherichia coli has shouldered a massive workload with the discovery of recombinant DNA technology. A new era began in the biopharmaceutical industry with the production of insulin, the first recombinant protein, in E. coli and its use in treating diabetes. After insulin, many biopharmaceuticals produced from E. coli have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency to treat various human diseases. Although E. coli has some disadvantages, such as lack of post- translational modifications and toxicity, it is an important host with advantages such as being a well- known bacterium in recombinant protein production, cheap, simple production system, and high yield. This study examined biopharmaceuticals produced and approved in E. coli under the headings of peptides, hormones, enzymes, fusion proteins, antibody fragments, vaccines, and other pharmaceuticals. The topics on which these biopharmaceuticals were approved for treating human diseases, when and by which company they were produced, and their use and development in the field are included.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Emerging Techniques and Technologies in Healthcare

The purpose of the special issue is to decipher the importance of ground-breaking techniques incorporated in cellular and molecular biology and embrace AI augmented healthcare delivery system. The convergence of these scientific innovations would help translational research reach new heights in the future generation.

Topics for this call for papers include but are not restricted to:

Importance of Emerging Techniques and Technologies in Health Research
Genetics and Genomics in Healthcare Research
Application of Proteomics in Healthcare Research
Technological Advancements in Cell Biology for Health Research
Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Medicinal Practice
Machine Learning and Deep Learning in Healthcare
Molecular techniques in Disease Detection
Biochemical parameters for disease detection
Infectious Disease and Mitigation
Stem Cell Therapeutics
Ethical Concerns in Artificial Intelligence Mediated Healthcare Delivery

Deadline for Submissions: 15 May 2025

Guest Editors: Dr. Debasmita Bhattacharya, Institute of Engineering and Management, India; Dr. Dibyajit Lahiri, University of Engineering & Mangement, Kolkata, India; Assoc. Prof. Edinur Hisham Atan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia; Prof. Mojgan Rezvani, Durham College, Canada.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education
New Issue: Volume 53, Issue 2

Issue Highlights (Open Access)

Remodeling pedagogical evaluation tools to incorporate student self-efficacy and sense of belonging in scientific research

Tanner RL, Burnett NP, King EE, Todgham AE. Remodeling pedagogical evaluation tools to incorporate student self-efficacy and sense of belonging in scientific research. Biochem Mol Biol Euc. 2025; 53(2): 117-125.

Undergraduate research experiences have long helped students develop technical skills and career interest in science. However, many assessment tools focus only on these aspects, overlooking broader outcomes like science literacy, relational skills, and a sense of belonging. This study critiques an existing survey instrument that evaluates these factors and introduces a revised version based on social and emotional learning principles and expectation disconfirmation theory. We highlight best practices for fostering inclusive research environments that balance skill development with publishable research. Such tools are essential for promoting scientific literacy, self-efficacy, and trust in science within higher education.

Improving the learning experience in an undergraduate course on microbial metabolism by using an illustrated story

McKinlay JB, Kearns K. Improving the learning experience in an undergraduate course on microbial metabolism by using an illustrated story. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2025; 53(2): 131–141.

In the classroom, metabolism is often approached and received as a mundane exercise in memorization. Teaching metabolism also faces the challenge of negative perceptions that can impede learning. We sought to improve the learning experience in an undergraduate lecture course on microbial metabolism by implementing an illustrated story that follows an Escherichia coli cell during a cholera outbreak. Feedback from students, compiled over four semesters of relatively minimal intervention, suggests that attitudes improved. Most students also thought that storytelling helped them learn. Exam scores suggested that the story could have had a positive performance impact for some questions that required students to apply correct details to specific situations. Our results suggest that a story could improve the learning experience in a course on a traditionally unpopular topic by both improving emotional responses to the subject matter and by providing a familiar framework upon which to contextualize details.

Did you know? Wiley and Jisc have signed an agreement that allows UK authors to publish Open Access in the IUBMB Journals at no cost to them.

Thanks to a partnership our publisher Wiley has signed with Jisc, certain UK institutions now have full access to journals published by Wiley, including the IUBMB Journals. Further, the partnership enables authors at participating UK institutions to publish open access at no cost to them in the IUBMB Journals. Payment of the associated Article Publication Charges (APC) would be covered via the partnership, and authors will not need to cover the APCs from their own pockets.

Wiley has also signed similar agreements with universities in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, and with the US-based OhioLink And VIVA. A comprehensive list of our funder agreements can be found here.