الصفحة 1
الصفحة 1
Neurochemical Aspects of Excitotoxicity
Leading researchers offer cutting-edge information on glutamate metabolism in the brain, examining the role of glutamate transporters and the involvement of glutamate receptors in the pathogenesis of acute neural trauma and neurodegenerative diseases.
Ion channels as targets in drug discovery
Built around ion channel research and, more specifically, ion channels as important therapeutic drug targets. Under the editorial leadership of Gary Stephens in academic research and Edward Stevens from industry, the aim is to bring these strands together to provide a cutting-edge translational reference on ion channel drug discovery. Exploiting our knowledge of ion channel structure and function has clear current and future potential to intervene and correct the pathophysiology associated with debilitating conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, pain, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders. Individual chapters have a disease focus, also providing a “case study story” that will also appeal to a clinical audience
Insights into Receptor Function and New Drug Development Targets
G-Protein Coupled receptors (GPCRs) and other receptors are significant targets for drug discovery, due to their roles in fundamental physiological processes. Among these roles are: regulation of growth, food intake, reproduction, water balance, sensory perception, blood pressure and heart rate. GPCR-directed drugs account for approximately $40 billion in sales and, of drugs at market, approximately 70% target GPCR function. The availability of combinatorial chemistry coupled with high throughput screening techniques have facilitated discovery of peptidic and non-peptidic ligands of membrane receptors. Mutant receptor models have revealed their role in health and disease and provided insight to new therapeutic approaches, based on control of protein trafficking. Understanding receptor-receptor interactions has provided one mechanism for receptor cross-talk and revealed unexpected interactions.
Inhibitory Regulation of Excitatory Neurotransmission
This book reviews aspects of GABAA receptor function, as well as the properties of a variety of other important inhibitory proteins, such as GABAC receptors, G-protein coupled receptors (specifically, GABAB receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors and neuropeptide receptors), glycine receptors, GABA transporters and potassium channels. In addition, the consequences of mutations that disrupt the regulation of excitatory neurotransmission, and efforts to target the GABAergic system for therapeutic benefit, are discussed.
Glutamate Receptors in Peripheral Tissue : Excitatory Transmission Outside the CNS
The book is divided into three sections— Part I is on general concepts and concentrates on the distribution and cell-specific localiza tion of glutamate receptors, their transporters, and the pharmacology in peripheral tissues and organs. Part II emphasizes the presence and implications of these receptors in specific target tissues, organs, and systems, including liver, lungs, endocrine tissues, bone, immune system, etc. Part III focuses on glutamate receptors in plants to illustrate their presence beyond the animal kingdom.
Cortical Deficits In Schizophrenia : From Genes to Function
Opens with a chapter by Paul Harrison highlighting the several convergence points among the diverse schizophrenia-related genes. This is followed by chapters reviewing several different specific genes, including Neuregulin, DISC-1, dysbindin, and Homer, among others, and by several chapters presenting information on physiological cortical processes that could be affected by those genes. These include glutamatergic, GABAergic and cholinergic neurotransmission.Current hot topics in schizophrenia research are also highlighted in the book. A concept that is gaining strength in the field, the chapters in this book summarize the current state of affairs in schizophrenia pathophysiology, with a consideration of genetic elements that may contribute to it. Cortical Deficits in Schizophrenia: From Genes to Function will prove a useful tool for those interested in a better understanding of schizophrenia. Even if more predisposing genes (not included in this book) become identified, the work laid out here will prove critical for assigning a functional (or dysfunctional) role to those genes. Although this is a fast-evolving field, the information and concepts covered in this book will likely be useful for years to come.
Catalytic role of amino acids in organic reactions
Asymmetric organometallic and organocatalytic processes have attracted great interest. Asymmetric synthesis using both natural and unnatural amino acids has been tremendously important from synthetic as well as industrial viewpoints, and numerous new methodologies have been developed in the last decades. Herein we provide an overview of old and very recent (since 1900 till now) advances and applications in the area of heterogeneous catalysis, homogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, organocatalysis, thermal catalysis using amino acids [proline, glycine, alanine, valine, serine, threonine, cysteine, methionine, asparagine, glutamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, aspartate, glutamate, phenylalanine, and tryptophan], (supported or unsupported), an amino acid containing materials or amino acids derivatives as an essential component of catalysts, this book highlights the most important and recent developments to immobilize or support amino acids on various support materials. This book is suitable as supplementary reading for courses targeting the design, synthesis, and application of chiral catalysts, asymmetric catalysis, and sustainable production.
