Since the first international meeting on Vitamin B6 involvement in catalysis took place in 1962, there have been periodic meetings every three or four years. In 1990, scientists studying another cofactor, PQQ, which had already attracted the scientific community's interest for its possible involvement in amino acid decarboxylation and reactions involving amino groups, joined forces with those investigating pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzymes. Since then, the international PQQ/quinoproteins meetings have been held jointly. In the years following the original meeting 37 years ago in Rome, Italy, the scientific gatherings have taken place in Moscow, Russia (1966); Nagoya, Japan (1967); Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia (1974); Toronto, Canada (1979); Athens, Greece (1983); Turku, Finland (1987); Osaka, Japan (1990); and Capri, Italy (1996). For the first time in the history of these symposia, the international meeting was held in the United States, from October 31 through November 5, 1999, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The scientific program focus shifted significantly beyond the original emphasis on catalysis to aspects such as cellular and genetic regulation of events involving proteins that require pyridoxal phosphate or quinoproteins. The growing awareness of the involvement of these proteins in biotechnology processes and fundamental physiological events, as well as their implication in diseases, was also represented, with emphasis on the molecular basis of these events. The meeting was symposium S278, sponsored by the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB).

In Bilayer Lipid Membranes. Structure and Mechanical Properties the authors use new methods of measurement, which they have themselves developed, to present an analysis of the relation between membrane structure and viscoelastic properties, in particular in the transversal direction. Hianik and Passechnik's approach is fundamentally different from the usual one, in that they analyze lipid bilayer dynamics during various modes of deformation, arriving at a new, three-layer' model that accounts for the great heterogeneity of biomembranes. The macroscopic parameters of membranes have been measured using a wide variety of methods, leading to a discussion of the correlations between the parameters. There is also an extensive discussion of the dynamic changes in mechanical properties of lipid bilayers in the course of conformational transition of integral proteins. During the conformational changes of proteins, the structure of a bilayer undergoes a transition, reaching a new, stable membrane state. The book is the first to present a comprehensive analysis of long-distance interaction in lipid bilayers and of molecular mechanisms of mechanoreception. Audience: Scientists and graduate students working in biophysics, membranology, physiology, medicine, pharmacology, bioelectronics, electrochemistry, and colloid chemistry.

This book provides detailed and comprehensive information on oxidative damage caused by stresses in plants with especial reference to the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In plants, as in all aerobic organisms, ROS are common by-products formed by the inevitable leakage of electrons onto O2 from the electron transport activities located in chloroplasts, mitochondria, peroxisomes and in plasma membranes or as a consequence of various metabolic pathways confined in different cellular loci. Environmental stresses such as heat, cold, drought, salinity, heavy-metal toxicity, ozone and ultraviolet radiation as well as pathogens/contagion attack lead to enhanced generation of ROS in plants due to disruption of cellular homeostasis. ROS play a dual role in plants; at low concentrations they act as signaling molecules that facilitate several responses in plant cells, including those promoted by biotic and abiotic agents. In divergence, at high levels they cause damage to cellular constituents triggering oxidative stress. In either case, small antioxidant molecules and enzymes modulate the action of these ambivalent species.

Dr. Spirin is a world authority on ribosomes and has published two earlier books in this area in English. This text is for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students and will cover the structure, function, and biosynthesis of ribosomes. Ribosomes are important in protein synthesis, which is currently a hot topic in many different areas of research.

'frees contribute a major part of fuel, fodder and fruit, and are an im of bioenergy. They are now needed in large numbers more portant source than ever before for afforestation and social forestry, so that fast-grow ing and multipurpose trees assume great importance. After extensive in discriminate deforestation and rapid depletion of genetic stocks, efforts are now being made to evolve methods for clonal mass propagation of improved and elite trees. Production of short-duration trees with a rapid turnover of biomass, and induction of genetic variability through in vitro manipulation for the production of novel fruit and forest trees, which are high-yielding and resistant to pests and diseases, and trees which display increased photosynthetic efficiency are in demand. These objectives are well within the realm of horticultural and forest biotech nology. Some of the recent advances, such as the regeneration of com plete trees from isolated protoplasts, somatic hybridization, and the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in various tree species have opened new vistas for the genetic engineering of fruit and forest trees. This book is a continuation of the earlier volume Trees I, and presents 31 chapters on fruit, forest, nut and ornamental trees, such as avocado, pineapple, crabapple, quince, pistachio, walnut, hazelnut, date palm, oil palm, cacao, rubber, maple, sweet-gum, poplars, birches, Chinese tallow, willows, oaks, paper mulberry, rhododendrons, Scots pine, Calabrian pine, Douglas-fir, redwood, ginkgo, cycads and some flowering trees."

In plant cells, the plasma membrane is a highly elaborated structure that functions as the point of exchange with adjoining cells, cell walls and the external environment. Transactions at the plasma membrane include uptake of water and essential mineral nutrients, gas exchange, movement of metabolites, transport and perception of signaling molecules, and initial responses to external biota. Selective transporters control the rates and direction of small molecule movement across the membrane barrier and manipulate the turgor that maintains plant form and drives plant cell expansion. The plasma membrane provides an environment in which molecular and macromolecular interactions are enhanced by the clustering of proteins in oligimeric complexes for more efficient retention of biosynthetic intermediates, and by the anchoring of protein complexes to promote regulatory interactions. The coupling of signal perception at the membrane surface with intracellular second messengers also involves transduction across the plasma membrane. Finally, the generation and ordering of the external cell walls involves processes mediated at the plant cell surface by the plasma membrane. This volume is divided into three sections. The first section describes the basic mechanisms that regulate all plasma membrane functions. The second describes plasma membrane transport activity. The final section of the book describes signaling interactions at the plasma membrane. These topics are given a unique treatment in this volume, as the discussions are restricted to the plasma membrane itself as much as possible. A more complete knowledge of the plasma membrane's structure and function is essential to current efforts to increase the sustainability of agricultural production of food, fiber, and fuel crops.

Cardiovascular Proteomics: Methods and Protocols presents cutting-edge protocols and strategies for proteomic evaluation of cardiovascular disease written by pioneering researchers in the field. Topics explored in this comprehensive volume include obtaining specific heart proteins, cutting-edge techniques for identifying risk biomarkers of atherome plaque rupture, analyzing the secretome of explanted endarterectomies cultured in vitro, and phage display techniques for deciphering the molecular diversity of blood vessels. Detailed protocols for the isolation of short- and long-term culture of the adult mouse cardiac myocytes are also included.

Numerous advanced proteomic techniques are addressed, including protein separation by two-dimensional electrophoresis and two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis, liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and the SELDI-TOF approach to searching for biomarkers of stroke in human serum or of hypertension in the serum of animal models. Proteomic strategies and protocols for studying the proteome of endothelial, arterial smooth muscle cells, foam cells, and circulating blood monocytes constitute a major element of this text. Cutting-edge techniques for the analysis of subproteomes from isolation to final characterization and the characterization of posttranslational modifications are also addressed. This useful snapshot of current proteomic techniques is a single source for protocols for the identification and validation of novel biomarkers and targets in cardiovascular diseases.

Human neurological and neuromuscular disorders caused by nucleotide expansion are the focus of growing interest of practicing physicians and of interested biomedical researchers. This volume represents a comprehensive and up-to-date description of many of the better-studied disorders. The authors discuss molecular, clinical and pathological aspects of the diseases as well as our current understanding of their underlying mechanisms.

This volume focuses on detecting different cellular stresses, measuring pathological consequences within the cell, and investigating the role of cellular stresses in select diseases. In addition, this book reviews the crosstalk between different stress pathways, stress responses during ageing, and targeting stress for regenerative medicine. Written in the highly successful Methods of Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and instructive, Stress Responses: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists to further study multiple stress pathways and outcomes triggered by such stresses. In depth knowledge of cellular stress will eventually lead to the development of novel therapeutics to prevent or treat related diseases.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a soil bacterium that for more than a century has been known as a pathogen causing the plant crown gall disease. Unlike many other pathogens, Agrobacterium has the ability to deliver DNA to plant cells and permanently alter the plant genome. The discovery of this unique feature 30 years ago has provided plant scientists with a powerful tool to genetically transform plants for both basic research purposes and for agricultural development. Compared to physical transformation methods such as particle bomba- ment or electroporation, Agrobacterium-mediated DNA delivery has a number of advantages. One of the features is its propensity to generate a single or a low copy number of integrated transgenes with defined ends. Integration of a single transgene copy into the plant genome is less likely to trigger "gene silencing" often associated with multiple gene insertions. When the first edition of Agrobacterium Protocols was published in 1995, only a handful of plants could be routinely transformed using Agrobacterium. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is now commonly used to introduce DNA into many plant species, including monocotyledon crop species that were previously considered non-hosts for Agrobacterium. Most remarkable are recent developments indicating that Agrobacterium can also be used to deliver DNA to non-plant species including bacteria, fungi, and even mammalian cells.

This thesis describes the use of biophysical and biochemical methods to prove that calcium has a positive feedback effect on amplifying and sustaining CD3 phosphorylation and should enhance T-cell sensitivity to foreign antigens. The study presented shows that calcium can regulate the signal pathway in cells not only as a secondary messenger but also through direct interactions with the phospholipid bilayer. The approach used in the thesis also represents an important advance, as it couples the use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to the analysis of signaling phenomena in living cells. Moreover, the thesis optimizes the Nanodisc assembly protocol, which can broaden its range of applications in membrane protein studies. A preliminary study on the structure of dengue virus NS2B-NS3p in complex with aprotinin, which may help to develop new drugs against the dengue virus, is also included.

This book is a compilation of presentations at the first meeting devoted to the mo lecular and cellular biology of copper transport. When we first considered the possible program for the meeting, we felt that a forum to integrate the recent advances in molecular understanding of copper transport with the older knowledge of copper metabolism was needed. In addition we wished to have a strong emphasis on the diseases of copper includ ing the genetic diseases, Menkes and Wilson, and other possible health aspects of this met al seen from a molecular perspective. Overall we were very happy with the success of the meeting, and most participants were very enthusiastic. Unfortunately we were not able to obtain manuscripts from every contributor, but the selection in this book covers most of the topics discussed. The history of biological research into copper dates from the latter half of the last century when the presence of copper as a component of living systems was first noted, but it was not until the 1920s that the essential role of copper was first recognized. l. S. McHargue found that plants and animals needed copper for optimal growth and health and proposed that copper was needed for life (McHargue, 1925). Other groups soon confirmed these observations in plants. In animals the requirement of copper for hematopoiesis was discovered in 1928 (Hart et aI."

Selective cytoplasmic organelle and protein targeting has long been thought to constitute the sole determinant of cell polarity and complexity. This view has been changed, however, by the discovery of differential subcellular RNA distribution patterns. Over the past decade it has become clear that selective mRNA sorting and translation contributes to an accumulation of cognate proteins at discrete cellular sites. In this book, various systems are discussed (e.g. Xenopus oocytes, mammalian brain, invertebrate nervous system) in terms of RNA trafficking, RNA-targeting sequences (cis-elements) and RNA-transporting proteins (trans-factors), activity-dependent translational regulation and the significance of the cytoskeleton for neuronal function and plasticity. It also discusses nucleocytoplasmic export of mRNA and viral RNA as another example of subcellular RNA kinesis.

The second edition of Adhesion Protein Protocols combines traditional
techniques with cutting-edge and novel techniques that can be adapted
easily to different molecules and cell types. The topics discussed in
this updated second edition include novel techniques for studying
cell-cell adhesion, neutrophil chemotaxis, in vitro assays used to
study leukocyte migration through monolayers of cultured endothelial
cells, and novel techniques to purify pseudopodia from migratory cells.

This book also discusses the study of cell-matrix interaction, RNA
interference, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, actin
purification, the application of microarray techniques, and the role of
adhesion proteins in the study of proteomics.

The protocols discussed in this volume are suitable for both novice and
expert scientists, who will gain further insight into the complex and
incompletely understood processes involved in cellular adhesion.

This first volume of the comprehensive, two-volume work on oxidative stress in lung disease introduces the molecular mechanisms, and the role of oxidants in the progression of different lung diseases. The lungs of humans and animals are under constant threat from oxidants from either endogenous (e.g. in situ metabolic reactions) or exogenous sources (e.g. air pollutants). Further, oxidative stress causes the oxidation of proteins, DNA and lipids, which in turn generates secondary metabolic products. The book consists of sections, each focusing on different aspects of oxidant-mediated lung diseases. As such it is a unique reference resource for postgraduate students, biomedical researchers and also for the clinicians who are interested in studying and understanding oxidant-mediated lung diseases. The second volume will incorporate other aspects of oxidant-mediated lung diseases, including prevention and therapeutics.

"Hydrogenosomes and Mitosomes: Mitochondria of Anaerobic Eukaryotes" provides a summary of the current knowledge of these organelles which occur in unicellular, often parasitic organisms, including human pathogens. These organelles exhibit a variety of structures and functions. This work describes properties such as protein import, structure, metabolism, adaptation, proteome and their role in drug activation and resistance. Further topics include organelle evolution and biogenesis.

Cardiorespiratory function is prominently affected by oxidative stress. Cigarette smoking is the archetype of oxidative and nitrative stress and free radical formation. New adverse effects of smoking keep on propping up in research. The chapters provide the comprehensive view of new developments in this area regarding cardiovascular and lung function and muscle catabolism. Alterations in inflammatory cytokines and proteins as well as degradation of muscle proteins due to smoking, by far unrecognized, caused by oxidative stress also are presented. Much less is known about the effect of cognitive stress on vagally-mediated cardiorespiratory function and surprisingly, on vagal immune pathway. The experimental studies also show that clinically important meconium aspiration syndrome contains an oxidative trait which is amenable to antioxidative treatment. This volume creates a source of information on the damaging role of oxidative stress in cardiorespiratory function that has by far not been available.

Fascinating biology occurs at epithelial interfaces, whether between organism and environment or within body compartments, and many diseases inflicting huge personal and societal burdens result from dysfunction of epithelial systems, e.g., carcinomas. Epithelial cell cultures have been an integral and crucial part of the biomedical research enterprise, adding unique capabilities and enabling mechanistic approaches. In the past decade there have been many research advances, such as directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, robotic high throughput screening, whole genome siRNA and shRNA libraries, massively parallel sequencing at low cost, identification of somatic stem cells in key organs, to name a few. Epithelial Cell Culture Protocols, Second Edition provides a cross section of up-to-date culture protocols for the most heavily studied cell systems and featured supporting technologies. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Epithelial Cell Culture Protocols, Second Edition will serve outstanding investigators with the best possible information for the advancement of biomedical science.

The principle objective of this book is to help undergraduate students in the analysis of genetic problems. Many students have a great deal of difficulty doing genetic analysis, and the book will be useful regardless of which genetics text is being used. Most texts provide some kinds of problems and answers: few, if any, however, show the students how to actually solve the problem. Often the student has no idea how the answer was derived. This work emphasizes solutions, not just answers. The strategy is to provide the student with the essential steps and the reasoning involved in conducting the analysis. Throughout the book, an attempt is made to present a balanced account of genetics. Topics, therefore, center about Mendelian, cytogenetic, molecular, quantitative, and population genetics, with a few more specialized areas. Whenever possible the student is provided with the appropriate basic statistics necessary to make some the analyses. The book also builds on itself; that is, analytical methods learned in early parts of the book are subsequently revisited and used for later analyses. A deliberate attempt is made to make complex concepts simple, and sometimes to point out that apparently simple concepts are sometimes less so on further investigation. Any student taking a genetics course will find this book an invaluable aid to achieving a good understanding of genetic principles and practice.

Wnt genes code for a family of secreted glycoproteins which fulfil important functions during the development of vertebrates and invertebrates. Wnts regulate as different aspects as differentiation, proliferation, cell migration, and cell polarity. Wnt proteins are able to activate different intracellular signaling cascades.
This book describes different aspects of Wnt signaling during development of different species like the mouse, Xenopus, chicken, C. elegans or Drosophila and in different cellular contexts like heart formation or limb bud patterning. By doing such, this book provides, for the first time in printed form, an overview of the function of Wnt proteins during development.
This book will be of interest to all professionals in the field of Wnt signaling, signal transduction or animal development.

Ubiquitous and fundamental in cell mechanics, multiscale problems can arise in the growth of tumors, embryogenesis, tissue engineering, and more. Cell Mechanics From Single Scale-Based Models to Multiscale Modeling brings together new insight and research on mechanical, mathematical, physical, and biological approaches for simulating the behavior of cells, specifically tumor cells.

In the first part of the text, the book discusses the powerful tool of microrheology for investigating cell mechanical properties, multiphysics and multiscale approaches for studying intracellular mechanisms in cell motility, and the role of subcellular effects involving certain genes for inducing cell motility in cancer. Focusing on models based on physical, mathematical, and computational approaches, the second section develops tools for describing the complex interplay of cell adhesion molecules and the dynamic evolution of the cell cytoskeleton. The third part explores cell interactions with the environment, particularly the role of external mechanical forces and their effects on cell behavior. The final part presents innovative models of multicellular systems for developmental biology, cancer, and embryogenesis.

This book collects novel methods to apply to cells and tissues through a multiscale approach. It presents numerous existing tools while stimulating the discovery of new approaches that can lead to more effective and accurate predictions of pathologies.

Etwa 3 Milliarden Genbausteine umfaAt das Erbgut des Menschen, an dessen EntschlA1/4sselung Forscher in aller Welt arbeiten. VerstAndlich und aktuell informiert dieses Buch A1/4ber die wichtigsten Forschungsprojekte und ihre Ergebnisse. Es zeigt, welche Hoffnungen in die medizinische Anwendung der Genforschung sich bislang erfA1/4llt haben, wo Gentests und Gentherapien heute mAglich sind oder wo sie in naher Zukunft entwickelt werden kAnnen. Eine kritische Diskussion gilt der Frage nach der Patentierung von Genen und der mAglichen Diskriminierung von Personen und Volksgruppen durch Gentests. An ausgewAhlten Beispielen wird schlieAlich gezeigt, wie sich mit Hilfe der Gene ein Blick zurA1/4ck in die Evolution tun lAAt. Ein ausfA1/4hrliches Glossar mit der ErklArung wichtiger Fachbegriffe schlieAt das Buch ab.

The 25th Jerusalem Symposium represents a most significant highlight in the development and history of these meetings. Living within the decimal system we have celebrated with much pleasure the lath and the 20th Jerusalem Symposia. With this one we experience a feeling of particular satisfaction because 25 years is different from, is more than, two decades and a half. It is a quarter of a century. It seems thus as if we have changed the dimension of our endeavour. In no way do we loose the sense of modesty with respect to the significance of these meetings. For the organizers, however, they do represent a continuity of efforts which we feel happy to have been able to carry out. At this occasion it seems useful to say a few words about the origin of the Jerusalem Symposia and to recall the name of a colleague who played an essential role in their creation and has been a most efficient and devoted co organizer of the seven first of them. This was Professor Ernst Bergmann, one of the most distinguished founders of Israeli Science and a world famous physico-organic chemist.

This volume discusses recent advances in avian and reptilian biology that have caused this diverse field to re-emerge. The chapters in this book are divided into 4 parts: genomics and transcriptomics, genetic manipulation, stem cells, and new model systems. Part I details how to perform genomic and transcriptomic analyses in birds and reptiles; Part II highlights technological advancements in avian genetic manipulation; Part III focuses on methods to handle pluripotent cells; and part IV looks at the emerging models in avian and reptilian developmental biology. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Avian and Reptilian Developmental Biology: Methods and Protocols explores a var iety of approaches and different sauropsid models that will help facilitate communication and collaboration among researchers, which in turn will progress this field forward.