Cells of the immune system are activated by a variety of stimuli that are derived from other cells, ingested material or from invading microorganisms. This issue of CTMI focuses on the mechanisms of phosphoinositide-mediated protein recruitment to intracellular membranes.

"Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes, "Volume 10, continues to include invited chapters on a broad range of topics, covering the main arrangements of the reconstituted system, namely planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes. The invited authors present the latest results in this exciting multidisciplinary field of their own research group.
Many of the contributors working in both fields over many decades were in close collaboration with the late Prof. H. Ti Tien, the founding editor of this book series. There are also chapters written by some of the younger generation of scientists included in this series. This volume keeps in mind the broader goal with both systems, planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes, which is the further development of this interdisciplinary field worldwide.
* Incorporates contributions from newcomers and established and experienced researchers
* Explores the planar lipid bilayer systems and spherical liposomes from both theoretical and experimental perspectives
* Serves as an indispensable source of information for new scientists

A general review of lipid bilayer structure and dynamics is given, including such current topics as the hydration of lipid bilayers, the superstructural behaviour of bilayers at different states of hydration and external conditions, the role and behaviour of lipid bilayers on fusion and rupture and the interaction of lipid bilayers with small organic molecules and additives and of protein lipid bilayer interactions. In addition, recent research on lipid interaction with proteins and other molecules in monolayers is reviewed, and the use of highly aligned samples under biologically relevant conditions and the benefits derived from such preparations are addressed. Finally, the latest approach in simulation of impurities within a lipid bilayer is introduced. This book will be a comprehensive review of the current state of biologically relevant model membrane systems which will become an indispensible reference for the "working biophysicist."

Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes volumes cover a broad range of topics, including main arrangements of the reconstituted system, namely planar lipid bilayers as well as spherical liposomes. The invited authors present the latest results of their own research groups in this exciting multidisciplinary field.
* Incorporates contributions from newcomers and established and experienced researchers
* Explores the planar lipid bilayer systems and spherical liposomes from both theoretical and experimental perspectives
* Serves as an indispensable source of information for new scientists

"Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes, " Volume 9, continues to include invited chapters on a broad range of topics, covering both main arrangements of the reconstituted system, namely planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes. The invited authors present the latest results in this exciting multidisciplinary field of their own research group.
Many of the contributors working in both fields over many decades were in close collaboration with the late Prof. H. Ti Tien, the founding editor of this book series. There are also chapters written by some of the younger generation of scientists included in this series. This volume keeps in mind the broader goal with both systems, planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes, which is the further development of this interdisciplinary field worldwide.
* Incorporates contributions from newcomers and established and experienced researchers
* Explores the planar lipid bilayer systems and spherical liposomes from both theoretical and experimental perspectives
* Serves as an indispensable source of information for new scientists

This volume of Progress in Inflammation Research is a unique compilation of work performed by a wide spectrum of investigators from different medical disciplines. It is fascinating that dietary alterations of fatty acid intake can result in a range of salutory changes in a great variety of medical conditions. Most of the good scien tific work which has led to these observations has been performed over just the last two decades. This is of course not a very long time in the context of the history of the human species. Recently performed analysis of fat intake from paleolithic times has indicated that our hunter-gatherer ancestors consumed as much cholesterol as modern Western man, but strikingly less saturated fatty acid and more polyunsatu rates, including n-3 fatty acids. Wild game has the terrestrial source of n-3 incorpo rated in its fat since browsing animals derive 18:3n-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) natural ly from leafy plants. There is, however, little opportunity for modern Western man to get n-3 fatty acids from the diet if one does not consume fish. Modern agribusiness provides ani mal feeds high in n-6 fatty acids, mostly derived from linoleic acid (18:2n-6) in corn feed. Therefore, grazing animals have no access to alternative fatty acids in either feed or grasses, the latter containing little or none of these potentially beneficial highly polyunsaturated fatty acids."

Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes volumes cover a broad range of topics, including main arrangements of the reconstituted system, namely planar lipid bilayers as well as spherical liposomes. The invited authors present the latest results of their own research groups in this exciting multidisciplinary field.
* Incorporates contributions from newcomers and established and experienced researchers
* Explores the planar lipid bilayer systems and spherical liposomes from both theoretical and experimental perspectives
* Serves as an indispensable source of information for new scientists

This book has pedigree. It has developed from experience over 50 years in reading, writing, thinking, and working with lipids and fatty acids. The study of Lipids now involves many disciplines, all of which require a basic knowledge of the chemical nature and properties of these molecules. The book i s written particularly for those who, with some knowledge of chemistry or biochemistry, need to know more about the mature of lipids and of fatty acids. Much of the readership will be employed in the food industry since 80% of the world production of oils and fats is eaten by humans and another 6% goes into animal feed. They will need to understand the materials they handle; their origin and chemical nature, the effects of processing, and their physical, chemical, biochemical, and nutritional properties. Another group of readers will be employed in the oleochemical industry modifying the material produced by nature for the benefit of human kind. They will have to understand the constraints of production and of chemistry within which they work and to be aware of the present state of knowledge about these materials. Yet another group may consider themselves to be academic researchers; however there is no escape from the real world of market place availability and they will need to know something about sourcing, about the changes which occur when oils and fat are refined and how these materials can be modified on a commercial scale.

A collection of papers that comprehensively describe the major areas of research on lipid metabolism of plants. State-of-the-art knowledge about research on fatty acid and glycerolipid biosynthesis, isoprenoid metabolism, membrane structure and organization, lipid oxidation and degradation, lipids as intracellular and extracellular messengers, lipids and environment, oil seeds and gene technology is reviewed. The different topics covered show that modern tools of plant cellular and molecular biology, as well as molecular genetics, have been recently used to characterize several key enzymes of plant lipid metabolism (in particular, desaturases, thioesterases, fatty acid synthetase) and to isolate corresponding cDNAs and genomic clones, allowing the use of genetic engineering methods to modify the composition of membranes or storage lipids. These findings open fascinating perspectives, both for establishing the roles of lipids in membrane function and intracellular signalling and for adapting the composition of seed oil to the industrial needs. This book will be a good reference source for research scientists, advanced students and industrialists wishing to follow the considerable progress made in recent years on plant lipid metabolism and to envision the new opportunities offered by genetic engineering for the development of novel oil seeds.

This book was stimulated by the enthusiasm shown by attendees at the meetings in Saxon River, VT, sponsored by the Federation ofAmerican Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), on the subject of the intestinal processing of lipids. When these meetings were first started in 1990, the original organizers, two of whom are editors ofthis volume (CMM and PT), had two major goals. The first was to bring together a diverse group ofinvestiga tors who had the common goal of gaining a better understanding of how the intestine ab sorbs lipids. The second was to stimulate the interest of younger individuals whom we wished to recruit into what we believed was an exciting and fruitful area ofresearch. Since that time, the field has opened up considerably with new questions being asked and new an swers obtained, suggesting that our original goals for the meetings were being met. In the same spirit, it occurred to us that there has not been a recentbook that draws to gethermuch ofthe informationavailableconcerninghow the intestineprocesses lipids. This book is intended to reach investigators with an interest in this area and their pre- and post doctoral students. The chapters are written by individuals who have a long-term interest in the areas about which they write, and many have been speakers at the subsequent FASEB conferences that have followed on the first."

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.

Featuring practical strategies and exciting experiments, Teaching Innovations in Lipid Science addresses lipid education at a range of levels from the novice to the graduate student and teacher. Peer-reviewed contributions from internationally known specialists, describe several methods and approaches designed to create new lipid courses, modify existing courses, and serve as a basis for pursuing novel avenues of instruction. Divided into two sections, the first focuses on teaching strategies and outlines some of the barriers that lipid science specialists face when transmitting accurate information. It emphasizes the development and implementation of creative programs that foster interest in lipid science, and presents novel problem-solving approaches. It discusses strategies for involving and evaluating independent study students and explains the successful use of sample cards to teach oilseed and cereal processing. This section also provides generalized accounts of biotechnology and crop improvement and isoprenoid biochemistry, including improvement of oilseed crops and tips on explaining DNA science and crop biotechnology. The second section begins with simple demonstrations on the physical properties of lipids suitable for middle- and high school students. It follows with more complex experiments on analyzing lipids in food oils, plasma, and milk utilizing thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography. Contributions include information on convenient enzyme test kits with exercises that can translate to a lab course beginning with chromatographic methods for lipid analysis. The final chapter presents theory and experiments for studying lipid metabolism in the plastid by describing preparation methods, studying metabolite uptake, and pathway analysis.

Lipid Signaling Protocols assembles in a single volume the various tools and methodologies needed by the interested investigator to unravel lipid dependent signaling and cell function. Divided into two convenient sections, the volume begins by summarizing the physical properties of hydrophobic metabolites as well as the physical methodologies used for their analysis, which leads to the second section and its selection of biological methods, focused around the most relevant lipids, their corresponding metabolizing enzymes and the recognition proteins. Following the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, the chapters provide readily reproducible laboratory protocols, lists of necessary materials and reagents, and the tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Contributed to by top researchers in the field, Lipid Signaling Protocols is an essential resource for both experienced and novice researchers who desire a better understanding of the application of physical methodologies in the context of lipid signaling and lipid metabolism in cell biology.

This fully updated edition explores methods involving sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lysophospholipid which has become the focus of much research interest as it has widespread developmental and physio-pathological actions, controlling events within the nervous, reproductive, gastrointestinal, vascular, respiratory, and immune systems, in addition to having a prominent role in cancer, early mammalian embryogenesis, and stem cells. Here, worldwide experts in the S1P field describe in-depth techniques in an array of cell types and with various physiological applications, showcasing the important effects of S1P in development and in physiopathology. As a volume in the Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the relevant materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips for troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and timely, Sphingosine-1-Phosphate: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is another key resource for scientists working in this fast-moving and dynamic field.

I organized this symposium, "Molecular Immunology of Complex Carbohydrates-2 (MICC-2)," at the Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan th between August 28-September 2, 1999, as a satellite meeting of the 15 International Glycoconjugate Conference (held August 22-27 in Tokyo, Japan). I also held a Taiwan- Canada Glycobiology Workshop after this meeting at the Institutes of Biological Chemistry and Chemistry. To promote glycobiology in Taiwan, I offered a Complexs Carbohydrate & Medicine-2 workshop at the Glyco- Research Laboratory, College of Medicine, Chang- Gung University, Kwei-san, Tao-yuan, Taiwan before the MICC-2 symposium. The lecture and poster materials of these three meetings are collected in these proceedings, which are divided into five Sections and two Appendixes. Section I, entitled "Protein-Carbohydrate Interactions of Plant and Animal Lectins," provides current concepts of lectin-carbohydrate interactions; classification of lectins, based on amino acid sequences, molecular structures, and lectin affinity for carbohydrates. However, the relationships between amino acid sequences and carbohydrate affinity of lectins have to be more thoroughly characterized. The reviews on animal lectins in this Section explore new areas of lectins. Section II, "Aspects of Structure and Antigenicity of Glycoconjugates," provides important information on structural concepts of glyco- immunology. "Glycotope Expression (Glycosylation), Metabolism and Functions," which play important roles in life processes, are discussed in Section III. Four articles on advances in knowledge on structural roles of glycans and treatment of cancer are discussed in Section IV.

This fully updated book presents an account of areas of utility, techniques, and bioinformatic advancements in the field of lipidomics. Beginning with protocols for lipid isolation and extraction, the volume continues with techniques from extractive mass spectrometry to imaging mass spectrometry methods allowing localization of lipids in tissues. These protocols have been complemented by methods addressing specific problems from membranes, fractionated subcellular compartments or organelles to whole organisms. 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, as well as tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Lipidomics: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as an ideal guide for biochemists, molecular biologists, neuroscientists, vision research scientists, as well as all biomedical researchers with interest in disease discovery and drug development.

Knowledge of cholesterol and its interaction with protein molecules is of fundamental importance in both animal and human biology. This book contains 22 chapters, dealing in depth with structural and functional aspects of the currently known and extremely diverse unrelated families of cholesterol-binding and cholesterol transport proteins. By drawing together this range of topics the Editor has attempted to correlate this broad field of study for the first time. Technical aspects are given considerable emphasis, particularly in relation cholesterol reporter molecules and to the isolation and study of membrane cholesterol- and sphingomyelin-rich "raft" domains. Cell biological, biochemical and clinical topics are included in this book, which serve to emphasize the acknowledged and important benefits to be gained from the study of cholesterol and cholesterol-binding proteins within the biomedical sciences and the involvement of cholesterol in several clinical disorders. It is hoped that by presenting this topic in this integrated manner that an appreciation of the fact that there is much more that needs to be taken into account, studied and understood than the widely discussed "bad and good cholesterol" associated, respectively, with the low- and high-density lipoproteins, LDL and HDL. Content Level Professional/practitioner

This text addresses critical topics in the expanding market and production for lipids. It combines novel and traditional methods from technological and biological perspectives to achieve the most effective pathways for production of modified lipids. The book is organized into three sections exploring development, new production methods and successful products and uses.

"Provides a comprehensive review of the major technologies and applications of lipids in food and nonfood uses, including current and future trends. Discusses the nature of lipids, their major sources, and role in nutrition."

This third edition provides new and updated chapters detailing preparation of liposomes, physicochemical characterization of liposomes, lipid analysis, drug encapsulation, surface modification, stimuli response as well as cellular interaction, and biodistribution. Also included is an updated chapter on the history and evolution of the field of liposomology. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Liposomes: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition aims to serve as a reference for graduate students, post-doctoral researchers as well as established investigators utilizing lipid-based systems.

"Advances in Planar Lipid Bilayers and Liposomes, " Volume 11 includes invited chapters on a broad range of topics, covering both of the main arrangements of the reconstituted system, namely planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes. The invited authors present the latest results of their own research groups in this exciting multidisciplinary field. This volume addresses the broader goal with both systems, planar lipid bilayers and spherical liposomes, which is the further development of this interdisciplinary field worldwide.
* Incorporates contributions from newcomers and established and experienced researchers
* Explores the planar lipid bilayer systems and spherical liposomes from both theoretical and experimental perspectives
* Serves as an indispensable source of information for new scientists

Lipid Modification by Enzymes and Engineered Microbes covers the state-of-the art use of enzymes as natural biocatalysts to modify oils, also presenting how microorganisms, such as yeast, can be designed. In the past ten years, the field has made enormous progress, not only with respect to the tools developed for the development of designer enzymes, but also in the metabolic engineering of microbes, the discovery of novel enzyme activities, and in reaction engineering/process development. For the first time, these advances are covered in a single-volume that is edited by leading enzymatic scientist Uwe Borchscheuer and authored by an international team of experts.

This volume focuses on recent advances in the biochemical and molecular analysis of different families of phospholipases in plants and their roles in signaling plant growth, development and responses to abiotic and biotic cues.

The hydrolysis of membrane lipids by phospholipases produces different classes of lipid mediators, including phosphatidic acid, diacylglycerol, lysophospholipids, free fatty acids and oxylipins. Phospholipases are grouped into different families and subfamilies according to their site of hydrolysis, substrate usage and sequence similarities. Activating one or more of these enzymes often constitutes an early, critical step in many regulatory processes, such as signal transduction, vesicular trafficking, secretion and cytoskeletal rearrangements. Lipid-based signaling plays pivotal roles in plant stress responses, cell size, shape, growth, apoptosis, proliferation, and reproduction.

Sphingolipids are lipid components of the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells with an important function in signaling mechanisms in the cell. This book provides insight into the physiological and pathophysiological role of sphingolipids and in particular its derivative ceramide. The function of Sphingolipids in cell signaling with regard to infectious and lung diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders are described and treated in distinct parts. Together with Volume 215 from the same Editors, the collection represents a unique, comprehensive work on Sphingolipids, providing information on both: Sphingolipid basic biology as well as its important function in a (patho)physiological context. The book is written for scientists in pharmacology, biochemistry and cell biology with a focus on biomedical research as well as for clinicians in pharmacology, oncology, cardiology, neurology and infectious disease. "

Lipids m the nervous system are major components of the m- branes. The presence of glycolipids in high concentrations is unique for the nervous system. Recent discoverres of the functronal and pathological importance of lipids such as diacylglycerols, polyphosphoinositides, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, docosahexaenoic acid, platelet activating factor, and gangliosides have markedly increased the number of publications on nervous system lipids. Many new methods have been developed. Thus, there IS a need for this volume that is dedicated to that methodo- gy. This volume places all of the methods for lipids into perspective with recommendations concerning the selection of a method for a specific purpose. Lloyd A. Horrocks vii Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preface to the Series vi Preface.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..*............................... xix List of Contributors Lipid Extraction Norman S. Radin 1 1. Introduction ...................................................... ......................................... 5 2. Properties of Solvents 2.1. Ethers ........................................................ 6 8 2.2. Alcohols ..................................................... 9 2.3. Halocarbons ................................................ 9 2.4. Hydrocarbons ............................................. 2.5. Miscellaneous Solvents ................................ 10 .................................... 10 3. Storage of Lipid Extracts 14 4. Homogenizers .................................................. ..... 15 5. Separating the Extract from the Tissue Residue 15 5.1. Use of Filtration .......................................... 16 5.2. Centrifugation ............................................ .............. 17 6. Removing Nonlipids from Lipid Extracts 6.1. Removal of Nonlipids by Evaporation and Reextraction ............................................... 17 .................... 17 6.2. Prewashing the Tissue Sample.. 6.3. Removal of Nonlipids by Precipitating the Lipids with the Proteins ............................... 18 ............................ 19 6.4. Liquid/Liquid Partitioning .................. 19 6.5. Removal of Nonlipids by Dialysis 6.6. Separation from Nonlipids by Changing a 21 Partition Constant .......................................