الصفحة 1
الصفحة 1
Zinc Finger Proteins: From Atomic Contact to Cellular Function
The scientists discovered a novel domain associated with zinc, and named this domain "zinc finger. " The number of proteins with similar zinc fingers grew quickly and these proteins are now called C2H2, Cys2His2 or classical zinc finger proteins. To date, about 24,000 C2H2 zinc finger proteins have been recognized. Approximately 700 human genes, or more than 2% of the genome, have been estimated to encode C2H2 finger proteins. From the beginning these proteins were thought to be numerous, but no one could have predicted such a huge number. Perhaps thousands of scientists are now working on C2H2 zinc finger proteins fi-om variou s viewpoints. This field is a good example of how a new science begins with the insight of a few scientists and how it develops by efforts of numerous independent scientists, in contrast to a policy-driven scientific project, such as the Human Genome Project, with goals clearly set at its inception and with work performed by a huge collaboration throughout the world. As more zinc finger proteins were discovered, several subfamilies, such as C2C2, CCHC, CCCH, LIM, RING, TAZ, and FYVE emerged, increasing our understanding of zinc fingers. The knowledge was overwhelming. Moreover, scientists began defining the term "zinc finger" differently and using various names for identical zinc fingers.
Visual Transduction and Non-Visual Light Perception
Remarkable advances have contributed to revolutionizing the study of vertebrate vision. The first step to identifying objects and establishing spatial relationships is the visual transduction cascade, a process that underpins a wide range of ocular diseases and therapies. Toward that, Visual Transduction And Non-Visual Light Perception reveals not only how the eye evolved into an organ of vision, but also describes how molecular mechanisms of key molecules (such as transducins, phosphodiesterases, and CyclicGMP metabolizing enzymes) operate in the phototransduction cascade. In this groundbreaking text, experts also explain mechanisms for sensing readiation outside of the visible wavelengths -- a good example of the limitations of the human sensory systems. Comprehensive and penetrating, Visual Transduction And Non-Visual Light Perception brings together the developmental, structural, and molecular mechanisms of the visual transduction cascade and is an invaluable text for everyone conducting research in the visual system.
Vertebrate Hair Cells
Vertebrate Hair Cells' provides a current overview of the mechanosensory receptor cells of the vertebrate inner ear. Each chapter is written by experimentalists active in exploring a particular aspect of hair cell function, including development, mechanoelectrical transduction, and synaptic transmission. Hair cell research has entered an exciting phase in which the convergence of molecular/genetic and biophysical methods is stimulating a rapid expansion in our understanding of function. The intended audience ranges from senior undergraduates to scientists in the field of hair cell research.
Understanding acoustics : An experimentalist’s view of sound and vibration
Focuses on experiments and on approximation techniques rather than mathematical rigor. The second edition has benefited from comments and corrections provided by many acousticians, in particular those who have used the first edition in undergraduate and graduate courses. For example, phasor notation has been added to clearly distinguish complex variables, and there is a new section on radiation from an unbaffled piston
Tutorials in Mathematical Biosciences II : Mathematical Modeling of Calcium Dynamics and Signal Transduction
This book presents a series of models in the general area of cell physiology and signal transduction, with particular attention being paid to intracellular calcium dynamics, and the role played by calcium in a variety of cell types. this book also presents much of the underlying physiology, so that readers may learn both the mathematics and the physiology at the same time, and see how the models are applied to specific biological questions.
Transforming Growth Factor-Beta in Cancer Therapy ; Vol. I : Basic and Clinical Biology
Transforming Growth Factor-ß in Cancer Therapy, Volumes 1 and 2, provide a compendium of findings about the role of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) in cancer treatment and therapy. The first volume, Basic and Clinical Biology, is divided into three parts. Part I presents basic concepts of transforming growth factor-ß signaling in normal physiology and cancer pathobiology. Part II investigates transforming growth factor-ß superfamily members in normal and tumor biology. Part III details transforming growth factor-ß in inflammation and fibrosis.
Transducers and Arrays for Underwater Sound
This book is concerned with the theory, development and design of electroacoustic transducers for underwater applications, and is more comprehensive than any existing book in this field. It includes the basics of the six major types of electroacoustic transducers, with emphasis on the piezoelectric ceramic transducers that are currently most widely used.
Toll and Toll-Like Receptors : An Immunologic Perspective
Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) biology would prove to be one of these secrets. Analyses of the evolution of these receptors (Tolls and TLRs) have also helped us to rethink immune system phylogeny. In the first part of this chapter the history of the discovery of Toll and TLR biology is described. The evolution of the TLR genes and theories of immune function are covered in later sections. The remainder of this book presents work from nine groups active in the field. In the first chapter, "The Function of Toll-Like Receptors", Zlatko Dembic sets the stage by introducing us to many of the components of the immune system and their relationships vis a vis Toll receptors. Zlatko finishes his chapter with a discussion about current immune system models and contributes his own 'integrity model'.
TNF Receptor Associated Factors (TRAFs)
TNF Receptor Associated Factors is the only literature that is entirely devoted to TRAFs. Almost every aspect of TRAF signaling is covered, including the different TRAF family members, their distinct biological functions, the TRAF structures, their modes of receptor recognition, the signaling mechanisms, and the roles of TRAFs in normal cellular functions and in viral infection.
The Thermodynamic Machinery of Life
Living organisms are open thermodynamic systems whose functional structure has developed and been kinetically frozen during the historical process of biological evolution. A thermodynamics of both nonequilibrium and complex systems is needed for their description. In this book, the foundations of such a thermodynamics are presented. Biological processes at the cellular level are considered as coupled chemical reactions and transport processes across internal and the cytoplasmic membrane. All these processes are catalyzed by specific enzymes hence the kinetics of enzymatic catalysis and its control are described here in detail. The coupling of several processes through a common enzyme is considered in the context of free energy or signal transduction. Special attention is paid to evidence for a rich stochastic internal dynamics of native proteins and its possible role in the control of enzyme activity and in the action of biological molecular machines.
The Pollen Tube : A Cellular and Molecular Perspective
The enormous amount of data now available about the pollen tube clearly reflects its qualities as a biological model that go much beyond that of a carrier of sperm cells essential for plant reproduction. The diversity of techniques and methodologies currently used to study pollen and pollen tube growth is reflected in this book written by biochemists, cell biologists, molecular biologists and geneticists. Their different perspectives demonstrate that pollen tubes are excellent models for plant cell research, particularly suitable for investigations on cell tip growth and polarization, signal transduction, channel and ion flux activity, gene expression, cytoskeleton and wall structure, membrane dynamics and even cell–cell communication.
The Myc/Max/Mad Transcription Factor Network
Intense study of the enigmatic myc proto-oncogene over the last 20 years has broadened our view of its functions and led to insights into transcriptional regulation as well as cancer etiology, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and organismal development. How can one gene be involved in so many aspects of cellular behavior? Of particular interest is the fact that the Myc protein functions as part of a network (comprising Myc, Max, and Mad proteins) whose specific interactions direct transcriptional activation or repression of a large number of target genes. The chapters in this volume examine both molecular and biological aspects of the Myc/Max/Mad network. Included are contributions concerning the regulation of its expression, the mechanisms underlying its diverse transcriptional activities, the structural bases for its critical interactions, and the nature of its target genes. Other chapters explore the evolution of the network, its role in development and genomic instability, and the evidence for a parallel transcriptional network. Overall, this volume provides a broad and current overview of research on a crucial group of transcription factors.
The Hereditary Basis of Rheumatic Diseases
Represents a complex disease where the inheritable component has been estimated to be up to 60%. This PIR volume deals with the genetic basis and regulation of rheumatic diseases. The volume is essential reading for researchers and clinicians from rheumatology, inflammation research, immunology, and cell and molecular biology.
The Diabetic Kidney
In The Diabetic Kidney, a stellar group of international researchers and clinicians joins forces to independently survey recent findings, ideas, and hypotheses about the causes and treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Drawing on many years of experience, the authors cover both the basic pathogenic mechanisms of the disease, as well as many of its clinical aspects of identification, management, and new therapeutic approaches. Not always in total agreement, their views reflect the present state of knowledge and its uncertainties, and offer a composite of different authoritative views on the causes of diabetic kidney disease.
Targeted interference with signal transduction events
Lay out the state of development of tomorrow's cancer drugs, directed against growth factors, growth factor receptors and intracellular signaling molecules with kinase activities.
Stress-Activated Protein Kinases
To maximize the probability of survival, cells need to coordinate their intracellular activities in response to changes in the extracellular environment. MAP kinase cascades play an important role in the transduction of signals inside eukaryotic cells. In particular, stress stimuli result in the rapid activation of a highly conserved group of MAP kinases, known as SAPKs (Stress-Activated Protein Kinases). These kinases coordinate the generation of adaptive responses that are essential for cell survival, which include the modulation of several aspects of cell physiology from metabolism to gene expression.
Sphingolipid Biology
Provides many examples of exciting new developments in sphingolipid biology/sphingolipidology that are changing our understanding of how multicellular organisms grow, develop, function, age, and die. Key areas addressed include sphingolipid biosynthesis, transport and membrane organization/lipid rafts; genetic approaches to understanding the roles of membrane sphingolipid biosynthesis; sphingolipid metabolism, specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), and signal transduction; and sphingolipid-associated disease and drug development.
Sparking Signals : Kinases as Molecular Signaltransducers and Pharmacological Drug Targets in Inflammation
Protein phosphorylation is an essential post-translational modification that modulates cell–cell communication. Substrate phosphorylation by protein kinases controls intracellular signal transduction pathways that mediate cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and metabolism. The importance of the protein kinase family is underscored by numerous disease states that arise due to dysregulation of kinase activity. Recent progress in understanding the molecular regulation of kinases has led to the development of new therapeutics based on the inhibition of kinase activity. Inhibitors that target protein kinases have proven efficacious in clinical settings and their continued development is the current focus of many drug discovery groups.
Source Book of Models for Biomedical Research
The collection of systems represented in the Sourcebook of Models for Biomedical Research reflect the diversity and utility of models that are used in biomedicine. That utility is based on the consideration that observations made in particular organisms will provide insight into the workings of other, more complex systems. Some models have the advantage that the reproductive, mitotic, development or aging cycles are rapid compared with those in humans; others are utilized because individual proteins may be studied in an advantageous way and have human homologs. Other organisms are facile to grow in laboratory settings, lend themselves to convenient analyses, have defined genomes or present especially good human models of human or animal disease. The Sourcebook of Models for Biomedical Research is a comprehensive and extensive collection of these important medical parallels.
Smad Signal Transduction : Smads in Proliferation, Differentiation and Disease
Written for an audience with basic understanding of molecular and cell biology, this volume provides an in-depth review of a rapidly developing field and extensive cross-references between chapters are provided. This book will be of particular interest to basic and applied biomedical researchers (students, post-docs or group leaders) with desire to understand the principles of cell-cell communication and mechanisms by which signaling pathways and gene programs control cell proliferation and differentiation, and how this knowledge may come to be applied in the clinic.
