Lymphocyte Signal Transduction
Signal transduction through leukocyte receptors involves a variety of signaling molecules including kinases, phosphatases, adaptor proteins, small GTPases GTP exchange factors, membrane phospholipids as well as others. These signal transducers, regulated by inter- and intra-molecular interactions, as well as by various post-translational modifications, lead to the activation of transcription factors that mediate cellular differentiation and growth, effector cell functions, and apoptotic cell death. Several investigators from various parts of the world convened at the 3rd Lymphocyte Signal Transduction Workshop in Crete, Greece from May 27 to June 1, 2005 to discuss their most recent findings in leukocyte signaling. This volume represents a collection of topics discussed during the conference.
Lipids in Health and Disease
Lipids are functionally versatile molecules. They have evolved from relatively simple hydrocarbons that serve as depot storages of metabolites and barriers to the permeation of solutes into complex compounds that perform a variety of signalling functions in higher organisms. This volume is devoted to the polar lipids and their constituents. We have omitted the neutral lipids like fats and oils because their function is generally to act as deposits of metabolizable substrates. The sterols are also outside the scope of the present volume and the reader is referred to volume 28 of this series which is the subject of cholesterol. The polar lipids are comprised of fatty acids attached to either glycerol or sphingosine. The fatty acids themselves constitute an important reservoir of substrates for conversion into families of signalling and modulating molecules including the eicosanoids amongst which are the prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leucotrienes. The way fatty acid metabolism is regulated in the liver and how fatty acids are desaturated are subjects considered in the first part of this volume. This section also deals with the modulation of protein function and inflammation by unsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives. New insights into the role of fatty acid synthesis and eicosenoid function in tumour progression and metastasis are presented.
Light Sensing in Plants
Presents overviews of and the latest findings in many of the interconnected aspects of plant photomorphogenesis, including photoreceptors (phytochromes, cryptochromes, and phototropins), signal transduction, photoperiodism, and circadian rhythms, in 42 chapters. Also included, is a prologue by Prof. Masaki Furuya that gives an overview of the historical background.
Communication in Plants : Neuronal Aspects of Plant Life
Plant neurobiology is a newly emerging field of plant sciences. It covers signalling and communication at all levels of biological organization – from molecules up to ecological communities. In this book, plants are presented as intelligent and social organisms with complex forms of communication and information processing. Authors from diverse backgrounds such as molecular and cellular biology, electrophysiology, as well as ecology treat the most important aspects of plant communication, including the plant immune system, abilities of plants to recognize self, signal transduction, receptors, plant neurotransmitters and plant neurophysiology. Further, plants are able to recognize the identity of herbivores and organize the defence responses accordingly. The similarities in animal and plant neuronal/immune systems are discussed too. All these hidden aspects of plant life and behaviour will stimulate further intense investigations in order to understand the communicative plants in their whole complexity.
Cigarette Smoke and Oxidative Stress
From a public health point of view, there is little doubt that one of the most important preventable causes of disease worldwide is tobacco smoking. From a scientifc point of view, we found it of interest to make a comprehensive ov- view of what we presently know about oxidative stress and tobacco smoke, because sm- ing is presently the best-known common condition associated with oxidative stress, and it may serve as a model for others. To this end, we have asked distinguished researchers from the public and the private sectors to evaluate the present scientifc status in their particular area. Authors were selected purely because of their scientifc merits.
Chemokine biology : Basic research and clinical application ; Vol.1 : Immunobiology of chemokines
The discovery of interleukin-8 close to 20 years ago initiated a new field of research touching on many aspects of immunology and inflammation. Interleukin-8 is just one member of a large class of structurally related chemoattractant proteins, known as chemokines. Chemokines are involved in the traffic control of leukocytes, which bear the corresponding chemokine receptors on their surfaces. Today, it is clear that chemokines affect all aspects of immunology and even many unrelated fields, such as tissue development and tumor cell metastasis. Their fundamental contributions to chronic inflammatory diseases make them a principal target for the development of novel, anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11
Presents the proceedings of "Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11", hosted by the University of Liverpool and held July 25 - 28, 2006 at the University of Chester in the United Kingdom. Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11 contains the latest research on chemical communication relevant to vertebrates, particularly focusing on new research since the last meeting in 2003. Topics covered include chemical ecology, biochemistry, behavior and neurobiology of both the main olfactory and vomeronasal systems of vertebrates, from amphibia to mammals including humans. A broad range of taxonomic groups and topics are discussed, including sections on new directions in semiochemistry, olfactory response and function, recognition within species, sexual communication, maternal-offspring communication, communication between species, and applications for zoo animal enrichment and pest control. The volume is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Bets Rasmussen and includes a special tribute chapter on her ground-breaking research on elephant communication.
Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 10
This book also represents the tenth in a series of books on chemical communication, chemical ecology, olfactory and vomeronasal research in vertebrate species. The species covered in the chapters herein range from fish to mammals including humans. By taxonomic breakdown the mammals are the most represented in number of species and chapter contributions. However, the hosts of the meeting endeavored to have some representative contributions covering all of the major vertebrate taxa.
Checkpoint Responses in Cancer Therapy
This book’s distinguished panel of authors takes a close look at topics ranging from the major molecular players affecting DNA synthesis and the response to DNA damage to advances made in the identification of chemical compounds capable of inhibiting individual mitotic kinases. Illuminating and authoritative, Checkpoint Responses in Cancer Therapy offers a critical summary of findings for researchers in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and a valuable resource for academic scientists in cancer research and the study of cell-cycle regulation, signal transduction and apoptosis.
Cell-secreted vesicles : Methods and protocols
Pesents hands-on technological protocols used to target an array of cell-secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) in a variety of biological systems. Beginning with methods for EV purification and analysis, the book continues with sections on the study of EV functions as well as specific systems and models allowing for the study of EVs of different origin. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Cell volume and signaling
In front of you is the finished product of your work, the text of your contributions to the 2003 Dayton International Symposium on Cell Volume and Signal Transduction. As we all recall, this symposium brought together the Doyens of Cellular and Molecular Physiology as well as aspiring young investigators and students in this field.
Cell Signaling in Vascular Inflammation
Although inflammatory disease of the vascular bed of the lung is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in both adult and pediatric age groups, the importance of vascular biology to its understanding, and in developing novel therapeutics, has been overlooked. In Cell Signaling in Vascular Inflammation, leading basic and clinical researchers review the signal transduction mechanisms responsible for lung inflammation, including vascular hyperpermeability, white cell accumulation, and vascular remodeling. The authors cut across disciplines to bring together a broad-based presentation of inflammatory challenge, both in the initial phases of the inflammatory response, as well as in the more prolonged phase of genomic involvement.
Cell Motility in Cancer Invasion and Metastasis
Cancer Morbidity and mortality result from invasive and metastatic spread. Currently, no therapies are aimed at the underlying mechanisms that enable this progression due to only nascent recognition of the distinct biology which occurs only during tumor dissemination. Recent advances have highlighted the central role of cell motility during the dynamic and transient process of tumor invasion and metastasis. This book includes state-of-the-art updates by international leaders in these studies. Chapters first present the novel model systems that enable new investigations and insights. Chapters then describe in depth the key processes and molecules that may be therapeutically targeted. Finally, the role of cell motility and its signals is explored in a number of key tumor types. This compilation should be useful to researchers in basic and translational oncology as well as those developing novel agents to prevent tumor invasion and metastasis.
Cell Division Control in Plants
The molecular mechanisms controlling cell cycle progression are highly conserved in eukaryotes. In addition to the basic protein machinery involved in cell cycle regulation, higher plants have also evolved unique molecular mechanisms that allow integration of environmental, physiological, and developmental signals into networks to control proper cell division and expansion. Rapid and exciting research progress in these fields has been achieved from experimental observations on plants over the past decade. The scope of this volume is focused on the molecular basis of all aspects of cell division and cytokinesis in plants. It is an essential reference book for instructors and scientists working in the areas of molecular, cell, and developmental biology of plants. The editors of this book are veterans in the field of plant molecular biology and highly respected worldwide.
Cell Communication in Nervous and Immune System
At first glance, the nervous and immune systems appear very different. However, both systems have developed mechanisms for memory formation – though of quite different quality and significance for the organism. One striking example is that both systems form and communicate via synapses armed with similar sets of proteins. This collection of reviews, contributed by internationally recognized immunologists and molecular and cellular neurobiologists, puts side by side cellular communication devices and signaling mechanisms in the immune and nervous systems and discusses mechanisms of interaction between the two systems, the significance of which has only recently been fully appreciated.
Cannabinoids
The present book is an outstanding summary of many aspects of cannabinoid research. It represents a stepping-stone to many unsolved problems in biochemistry, pharmacology, physiology and the clinic. Perhaps it will help generate novel ideas, such as how to approach the scientific study of emotions.
Calcium Signalling and Disease : Molecular Pathology of Calcium
This topic is a new entry in the area of cellular calcium signaling: yet, it now spans the entire area, with discoveries that cover both genetic and acquired pathologies, even offering glimpses in the direction of therapy.Cellular calcium homeostasis, and thus calcium signalling, is mainly regulated by membrane intrinsic proteins and calcium sensor proteins. Both classes may be involved in pathological processes that affect both human and animals, ranging from common and important diseases (e.g. migraine, diabetes, epilepsia, manic depression, infertility, various types of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, muscular dystrophy) to rare genetic conditions (e.g., a number of genetic heart conditions, autoimmune retinopathies, night blindness, hereditary amyloid polyneuropathy, malignant hyperthermia, cerebellar ataxia, atherothrombotic disease).
Biology of the Fungal Cell
"The volume is well illustrated and certainly realizes the primary aim of "The Mycota", namely to highlight developments in both basic and applied research into fungal systems." (Microbiology Today) "The Editors´ aim 'to provide a selected sampling of contemporary topics at the forefront of fungal cell biology' has certainly been achieved. Indeed, it is hard to imagine any mycologist not finding something fascinating in each of the chapters. ... Further, the volume is packed with material that will be extremely useful for those presenting basic courses in mycology - especially because of the many fine explanatory line drawings." (Mycological Research)
Biology of Inositols and Phosphoinositides
This volume describes the current status of the biology of inositols and phosphoinositides with an emphasis on the development in the area since the publication of volume 26 in 1996 in this series. The progress made in dissecting the genetics, structure and evolution of the seminal enzyme for synthesis of inositol in the biological system has driven the understanding of the enzyme forward. With the current genomic and proteomic tools in place the new role of inositols, inositol phosphates and phosphoinositides in cell signaling or stress response has been explored. These advances are described.
Bioinformatics of genome regulation and structure II
The conference was organized by the Laboratory of Theoretical Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia. The material covers the most recent topics in bioinformatics, including (i) regulatory genomic sequences: databases, knowledge bases, computer analysis, modeling, and recognition; (ii) large-scale genome analysis and functional annotation; (iii) gene structure detection and prediction; (iv) comparative and evolutionary genomics; (v) computer analysis of genome polymorphism and evolution; computer analysis and modeling of transcription, splicing, and translation; structural computational biology: structure- function organization of genomic DNA, RNA, and proteins; (vi) gene networks, signal transduction pathways, and genetically controlled metabolic pathways: databases, knowledge bases, computer analysis, and modeling; principles of organization, operation, and evolution; (vii) data warehousing, knowledge discovery and data mining; and (viii) analysis of basic patterns of genome operation, organization, and evolution.



















