Editorial: Multitasking Biomolecules in Human Pathologies: Known Players on Their Unexpected Journeys

摘要

Over the last few years a number of studies have brought forward new and exciting discoveries in biomolecule research and have changed the old paradigm “one molecule, one function, one trait.” Today, we know that exactly the same biomolecule may operate at different locations, utilize different substrates or binding factors, and thus perform multiple totally unrelated functions. Interestingly, these properties are not only reserved for proteins, but also DNA and RNA molecules as well as diverse classes of metabolites possess the ability to multitask. The discovery of multifunctionality of biomolecules, as well as their “moonlighting business,” led to the identification of new interaction networks and provided new insights into the pathogenesis of many disorders. In addition, it opened new perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of the diseases and thus for drug repurposing and development (1, 2). In the Research Topic of the Frontiers in Medicine entitled “Multitasking Biomolecules in Human Pathologies: Known Players on Their Unexpected Journeys” new faces of diverse molecules are presented and discussed in the context of their significance for human pathologies.