Recent advances in the field of peptide chemistry and gene technology have resulted in an explosive accumulation of information on biologically active pep tides and functional proteins. Because of the importance of such peptides and proteins in the role of cellular or extracellular regulatory mechanisms and their potential therapeutic value, an understanding of their detailed interactions with the specific receptor should provide useful information for structure-activity studies. These problems have been approached in many ways. However, despite our efforts, many gaps in our knowledge of peptide chemistry remain to be filled, and some answers will no doubt be forthcoming in the next few years. This volume, the Proceedings of the 2nd Japan Symposium on Peptide Chemistry held in Shizuoka, covers all presentations. Speakers and discussants, numbering approximately 550, came from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, India, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Japan. One very sad note was the sudden death, shortly before the conference, of Professor Emeritus Shiro Akabori, an outstanding organic chemist and a pioneer in peptide research. The news shocked his many friends and colleagues, who miss him deeply. Finally, it is a pleasure to acknowledge the help of those individuals and organizations who made the conference possible: the contributing scientists; the advisory committee and the staff of the conference; the Japanese Peptide Society, and other institutions; and the corporations which gave their financial support.

This edition details a collection of specific shotgun proteomics-based laboratory techniques and applications developed in leading laboratories and proteomics units worldwide. Chapters cover a broad range of topics covering, shotgun proteomics of extracellular vesicles and subcellular structures, shotgun proteomics in non-model organisms, clinical proteomics, food proteomics, analysis of post-translational modifications and protein complexes, and data processing and storage. 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. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Shotgun Proteomics: Methods and Protocols aims to be an up-to-date guide for researchers seeking to understand the proteome of any given biological sample.

This second edition presents an up-to-date chapters describing the most relevant and novel techniques employed to study the opioid receptors. Chapters detail transcriptional and post-transcriptional analysis, cellular detection of opioid receptors, analysis of signaling events modulated by opioid receptors, model systems to studying opioid receptor-mediated functions, and behavioral effects mediated by opioid receptors. 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. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Opioid Receptors: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

The reproduction and spread of a virus during an epidemic proceeds when the virus attaches to a host cell and viral genetic material (VGM) (protein, DNA, RNA) enters the cell, then replicates, and perhaps mutates, in the cell. The movement of the VGM across the host cell outer membrane and within the host cell is a spatiotemporal dynamic process that is modeled in this book as a system of ordinary and partial differential equations (ODE/PDEs). The movement of the virus proteins through the cell membrane is modeled as a diffusion process expressed by the diffusion PDE (Fick's second law). Within the cell, the time variation of the VGM is modeled as ODEs. The evolution of the dependent variables is computed by the numerical integration of the ODE/PDEs starting from zero initial conditions (ICs). The departure of the dependent variables from zero is in response to the virus protein concentration at the outer membrane surface (the point at which the virus binds to the host cell). The numerical integration of the ODE/PDEs is performed with routines coded (programmed) in R, a quality, open-source scientific computing system that is readily available from the Internet. Formal mathematics is minimized, e.g., no theorems and proofs. Rather, the presentation is through detailed examples that the reader/researcher/analyst can execute on modest computers. The ODE/PDE dependent variables are displayed graphically with basic R plotting utilities. The R routines are available from a download link so that the example models can be executed without having to first study numerical methods and computer coding. The routines can then be applied to variations and extensions of the ODE/PDE model, such as changes in the parameters and the form of the model equations.

Distinguished international experts offer critical reviews of the major categories of posttranslational protein modification in neurons, as well as a comprehensive collection of state-of-the-art techniques for their analysis. They provide detailed and specific methods for studying protein phosphorylation/dephospohorylation, methylation, long chain fatty acylation, ADP-ribosylation, glycosylation, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors. Using both conventional analytical and novel molecular biological approaches, these experts present important techniques and reagents and cite numerous examples from the neuroscience literature in a way that allows investigators to determine the best experimental approaches for their own systems. The book offers the most complete review of protein kinase and phosphatase inhibitor applications available.

Methods in Protein Sequence Analysis -1986 brings together reports of the most recent methodology available to protein chemists for studying the molecular detail of proteins. The papers in this volume constitute the proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Methods in Protein Sequence Analysis, which was held at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington on August 17-21, 1986. This series of conferences has taken place during a period when new techniques in protein chemistry and molecular biology have enabled not only exploration of the control of protein function, but also deduction of the genetic origin of proteins, and labo ratory generation of rare protein molecules for therapeu tic and commercial use. The current reports are focused on the means by which experimental questions can be answered rather than on the biological implications in specific systems. The scope of the meeting was quite broad, empha sizing microanalytical techniques and the relative merits of DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry and more tradi tional degradation techniques. A highlight of the meeting was the Qrowing awareness of the role of mass spec trometry In the analysis of proteins. The complementarity of protein sequencing and DNA sequencing techniques was apparent throughout the discussions and several papers dealt with the strategy of obtaining sequence in formation from small amounts of protein in order that ap propriate oligonucleotide probes could be constructed and the encoding nucleic acids se. quenced and manipu lated."

This book discusses unique ion channels and transporters that are located within epithelial tissues of various organs including the kidney, intestine, pancreas and respiratory tract. As the authors show, these channels and transporters play crucial roles in transepithelial ion and fluid transport across epithelia and their contribution to maintaining homeostasis. Readers will be introduced to the fundamentals of ion transport in terms of function, modelling, regulation, structure and pharmacology. This is the first of three volumes highlighting the importance of epithelial ion channels and transporters in basic physiology and pathophysiology of human diseases. This volume focuses on basic fundamentals of epithelial transport physiology. There is a range of chapters dedicated to specific aspects of epithelial ion transport and cell function. Accordingly, the authors discuss techniques used to determine epithelial function, principles of epithelia transport, polarization of epithelial cells, mathematical modelling of epithelial ion transport, protein folding of ion channels, degradation epithelial ion channels, fundamentals of epithelial sodium, potassium and chloride transport, fundamentals of bicarbonate secretion, volume regulation, and microRNA regulation of epithelial channels and transporters. Given its scope, Volume 1 offers a valuable resource for physiology students, scientists and clinicians alike.

These proceedings of the Twenty-Second European Peptide Symposium include 437 articles concerning peptide synthesis, rapid preparation/libraries, conformation, de novo design, and biological physicochemical and immunological aspects. The symposium was held under the auspices of the newly founded European Peptide Society although it is clear that the contributions are de facto international.

This thorough volume explores predicting one-dimensional functional properties, functional sites in particular, from protein sequences, an area which is getting more and more attention. Beginning with secondary structure prediction based on sequence only, the book continues by exploring secondary structure prediction based on evolution information, prediction of solvent accessible surface areas and backbone torsion angles, model building, global structural properties, functional properties, as well as visualizing interior and protruding regions in proteins. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, the chapters include the kind of detail and implementation advice to ensure success in the laboratory. Practical and authoritative, Prediction of Protein Secondary Structure serves as a vital guide to numerous state-of-the-art techniques that are useful for computational and experimental biologists.

Christopher Schirwitz's thesis focuses on improving the quality of in situ synthesized high-complexity peptide micro arrays. Micro arrays containing proteins or small protein fragments in the form of peptides have become of great interest in proteomic research. With the help of these microarrays a large number of potential target molecules can be screened for interaction with a probe in a short timeframe. However, protein and peptide micro arrays are still lagging behind oligonucleotide arrays in terms of density, quality and manufacturing costs. A new approach developed at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) has improved the synthesis of high-density peptide arrays. The current technology is capable of producing arrays with up to 40,000 different peptides per square cm by means of micro particle-based solid phase peptide synthesis. However, in situ synthesis approaches bear a conceptual disadvantage: The quality of the peptides is dependent on the efficiency of the synthesis so that peptide fragments are present in the resulting array among the desired full-length peptides. In peptide-protein interaction studies such peptide fragments. The central achievement of this thesis is the development of a new method allowing for the fast one-step purification of entire arrays without loss of resolution or spatial information. Christopher Schirwitz's work has resulted in a number of publications in high ranking journals.

This volume is designed to provide an understanding of current and potential therapies for osteoporosis. The opening chapter introduces the cells of bone and their interactions. Several following chapters describe factors affecting bone including systemic hormones with significant effects on bone, and local mediators including growth factors, prostaglandins, cytokines and chemokines. Topics that have commanded particular attention recently are calcium, FGF-23, nervous system bone interactions. Drugs that cause bone loss provide important information on mechanism as well as therapeutic considerations. An overview of the genetics of bone disorders and a discussion of the pathophysiology of osteoporosis establish the clinical context. The final chapters discuss current and potential osteoporosis treatments.

The objective of this volume is to provide readers with a current view of all aspects of the 'pipeline' that takes protein targets to structures and how these have been optimised. This volume includes chapters describing, in-depth, the individual steps in the Structural Genomics pipeline, as well as less detailed overviews of individual Structural Genomics initiatives. It is the first book of protocols to cover techniques in a new and emerging field.

Proteomics is a well-established area of Science; yet with a strong area in constant evolution, namely sample treatment. There few books that currently cover the field of emerging sample treatments in proteomics, this new volume will be the first to cover all emerging and existing studies. This unique book presents the latest advances in the field focusing on emerging trends linked to high-resolution mass spectrometry, technology addressed to treat samples faster and to attempts to simplify the proteome for the reader.

Leading experts in nanobiotechnology comprehensively review the most recent advances in instrumentation and methodology, as well as their applications in genomics and proteomics. The authors provide a wide variety of techniques and methods for dealing with protein functions and structures at the nanoscale level, including nanostructured systems, nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes and nanowires, optical nanosensors, and nanoelectrodes. Among the highlights are techniques for the in vivo tracking of biochemical processes using fluorescent molecular probes and nanosensors, and the exploration of biochemical processes and submicroscopic structures of living cells at unprecedented resolutions using near-field optics. Also discussed is the development of nanocarrier methodology for the targeted delivery of drugs whose shells are conjugated with antibodies for targeting specific antigens.

Basics of proteins and proteomics techniques In-depth understanding of mass-spectrometry and quantitative proteomics An overview of interactomics and its application for translational research. Advancement in the field of proteomics and challenges in clinical applications.

Proteases in Tissue Remodelling of Lung and Heart is unique for its comprehensive presentation of protease function in lung and heart under both physiological conditions and major diseases manifesting in these two organs. The individual chapters have been written by leaders in the field who paid much attention to outline in great detail the role of proteases in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Available animal models (of disease, transgenic, or knock-out) are extensively referred to and experimental data obtained thereby are discussed in the context of patient-derived data.

Proteases in Tissue Remodelling of Lung and Heart
*is devoted to proteases in lung and heart specifically and extensively,
*covers major diseases of the lung and heart,
*extensively introduces individual proteases (or families thereof),
*presents up-to-date patient-derived and experimental data,
*covers most aspects of protease function in disease.

This first of two volumes provides a general overview of the genetics, structure, mechanism and regulation of the Ras superfamily proteins and describes in detail the signaling pathways and processes regulated by specific members of this family. The focus of this first volume is on the Rho and Ras subfamily of small G proteins. Renowned scientists provide insights into the biochemistry of the classical and non-classical small G-protein family members, their spatio-temporal regulation, their effectors and their roles in health and disease. Together with Volume 2, this book provides a comprehensive and state-of-the-art work on small G-proteins (GTPases). It is intended for graduates and professors in biochemistry and cell biology already working on small G-proteins (small GTPases), but also offers an extremely valuable resource for those readers who are new to the field.

The new series "Microbiology Monographs" begins with two volumes on intracellular components in prokaryotes. In this first volume, "Inclusions in Prokaryotes", the components, labeled inclusions, are defined as discrete bodies resulting from synthesis of a metabolic product. Research on the biosynthesis and reutilization of the accumulated materials is still in progress, and interest in the inclusions is growing. This comprehensive volume provides historical background and comprehensive reviews of eight well-known prokaryotic inclusions.

This second edition is dedicated to new and updated methodological approaches designed to study galectin function. Chapters examine salient features of galectin functions. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Galectins: Methods and Protocols, Second Eidtion aims to be a useful practical guide to researches to help further their study in this field.

Proteins act as macromolecular machinery that mediate many diverse biological processes - the molecular mechanisms of this machinery has fascinated biologists for decades. Analysis of the kinetic and thermodynamic features of these mechanisms could reveal unprecedented aspects of how the machinery function and will eventually lead to a novel understanding of various biological processes. This dissertation comprehensively demonstrates how two universally conserved guanosine triphosphatases in the signal recognition particle and its membrane receptor maintain the efficiency and fidelity of the co-translational protein targeting process essential to all cells. A series of quantitative experiments reveal that the highly ordered and coordinated conformational states of the machinery are the key to their regulatory function. This dissertation also offers a mechanistic view of another fascinating system in which multistate protein machinery closely control critical biological processes.

Written while completing graduate work at California Institute of Technology.

This volume serves to aid researchers working in the recombinant protein production field by describing a wide number of protocols and examples. Chapters describe recombinant protein production in different expression systems, prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems, purification protocols, characterization of insoluble proteins and a general overview of interesting applications of insoluble proteins. 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, Insoluble Proteins: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition aims to be a useful practical guide to researches to help further their study in this field.

This second edition volume expands on the previous edition with updated research and techniques to help laboratory workers design and implement a successful purification strategy, emphasize critical aspects on practical problems, and answers questions encountered at the lab bench. The chapters in this book are divided into five parts: Part One discusses an overview of screening and design of purification strategies and covers initial aspects on high-throughput screening, methods development, and media selection; Parts Two and Three explore low- and high-resolution methods, with emphasis on affinity chromatography; Part Four describes analytical techniques of purified proteins; and Part Five presents selected examples and case studies to discuss the aforementioned. 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. Authoritative and comprehensive, Protein Downstream Processing: Design, Development, and Application of High and Low-Resolution Methods, Second Edition is an ideal source of information to advanced students, junior researchers, and scientists involved in health sciences, cellular and molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, and other related areas in both academia and industry.

Actin is an extremely abundant protein that comprises a dynamic polymeric network present in all eukaryotic cells, known as the actin cytoskeleton. The structure and function of the actin cytoskeleton, which is modulated by a plethora of actin-binding proteins, performs a diverse range of cellular roles. Well-documented functions for actin include: providing the molecular tracks for cytoplasmic streaming and organelle movements; formation of tethers that guide the cell plate to the division site during cytokinesis; creation of honeycomb-like arrays that enmesh and immobilize plastids in unique subcellular patterns; supporting the vesicle traffic and cytoplasmic organization essential for the directional secretory mechanism that underpins tip growth of certain cells; and coordinating the elaborate cytoplasmic responses to extra- and intracellular signals. The previous two decades have witnessed an immense accumulation of data relating to the cellular, biochemical, and molecular aspects of all these fundamental cellular processes. This prompted the editors to put together a diverse collection of topics, contributed by established international experts, related to the plant actin cytoskeleton. Because the actin cytoskeleton impinges on a multitude of processes critical for plant growth and development, as well as for responses to the environment, the book will be invaluable to any researcher, from the advanced undergraduate to the senior investigator, who is interested in these areas of plant cell biology.

This book is a collection of principles and current practices in omics research, applied to skeletal muscle physiology and disorders. The various sections are categorized according to the level of biological organization, namely, genomics (DNA), transcriptomics (RNA), proteomics (protein), and metabolomics (metabolite). With skeletal muscle as the unifying theme, and featuring contributions from leading experts in this traditional field of research, it highlights the importance of skeletal muscle tissue in human development, health and successful ageing. It also discusses other fascinating topics like developmental biology, muscular dystrophies, exercise, insulin resistance and atrophy due to disuse, ageing or other muscle diseases, conveying the vast opportunities for generating new hypotheses as well as testing existing hypotheses by combining high-throughput techniques with proper experiment designs, bioinformatics and statistical analyses. Presenting the latest research techniques, this book is a valuable resource for the physiology community, particularly researchers and grad students who want to explore the new opportunities for omics technologies in basic physiology research.

This volume provides readers with a comprehensive look at the latest techniques used to identify and characterize PDZ-mediated interactions. Chapters cover topics such as promiscuity, multimodularity, regulation, and viral recognition by PDZ domains. 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 thorough, PDZ Mediated Interactions: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for all researchers interested in learning more about this developing field.