Membrane proteins play key roles in numerous cellular processes, in particular mediating cell-to-cell communication and signaling events that lead to a multitude of biological effects. Membrane proteins have also been implicated in many critical diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes and cancer. In Membrane Protein Structure Predictions Methods: Methods and Protocols, expert researcher in the field detail the advances in both experimental and computational approaches of the structure, dynamics and interactions of membrane proteins dividing the volume into two sections. The first section details the procedures used for measurements of structure and dynamics of membrane proteins. While the second section contains a survey of the computational methods that have played a critical role in membrane protein structure prediction as well as in providing atomic level insight into the mechanism of the dynamics of membrane receptors. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, the chapters include the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results in the laboratory. Thorough and intuitive, Membrane Protein Structure Predicitons: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists in the further study of membrane protein structure and function.

This book presents a comprehensive overview of important immune molecules and their structure-function relationships. The immune system is highly complex, consisting of a network of molecules, cells, tissues and organs, and the immune reaction is involved in various physiological as well as pathological processes, including development, self-tolerance, infection, immunity, and cancer. Numerous molecules participate in immune recognition, inhibition and activation, and these important immune molecules can be roughly divided into cell surface receptors, intracellular receptors and intracellular signaling molecules. The study of how these immune molecules function at molecular level has laid the foundation for understanding the immune system. The book provides researchers and students with the latest research advances concerning the structural biology of key immune molecules/pathways, and offers immunologists essential insights into how these immune molecules function.

This text presents the application of current nutritional knowledge by physicians and dietitians and incorporates emerging fields of science and important discoveries. It contains seven major sections. Section 1: Basic Processes at the Cellular Levels, Section 2: Arginine Metabolism and Functions, Section 3: Arginine Status in Cells Related to Organ Damage and Disease, Section 4: Arginine Status and Use in Healthy Individuals, Section 5: Arginine and Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Section 6: Therapeutic uses of Arginine: Diabetes, Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases and Section 7: Therapeutic Uses of Arginine: Cancer, Wound Healing and Infectious Disease. Written by authors of international and national standing, leaders in the field and trendsetters, Arginine in Clinical Nutrition is essential reading for nutritionists and dietitians, public health scientists, doctors, epidemiologists, health care professionals of various disciplines, policy makers and marketing and economic strategists.

Volume II features a variety of animal and human prion diseases, including the newly-identified atypical forms of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and scrapie in animals, and variably protease-sensitive prionopathy in humans, prions in the environment, Tau pathology in human prion disease, transmission of the disease by blood transfusion, mammalian and non-mammalian models, conventional and advanced diagnoses, prion-specific antibodies, as well as decontamination of prions and development of therapeutics of prion diseases, such as the application of immunomodulation. This volume provides up-to-date knowledge about the etiology, pathogenesis, classification, histopathological, and clinical aspects of the highly publicized animal and human prion diseases.

The chemistry of the five principal plant hormone groups is discussed in detail in this volume. Contributing authors review history and occurrence of each hormone group, methods of isolation and detection, biosynthesis and metabolism, and structural determination. Through these analyses, the authors clarify the role of endogenous plant growth regulators in the life cycle of higher plants. The text is supplemented with over 350 figures and structures of various plant hormones.

This volume highlights recent progress on the fundamental chemistry and mechanistic understanding of metallocofactors, with an emphasis on the major development in these areas from the perspective of bioinorganic chemistry. Metallocofactors are essential for all forms of life and include a variety of metals, such as iron, molybdenum, vanadium, and nickel. Structurally fascinating metallocofactors featuring these metals are present in many bacteria and mediate remarkable metabolic redox chemistry with small molecule substrates, including N2, CO, H2, and CO2. Current interest in understanding how these metallocofactors function at the atomic level is enormous, especially in the context of sustainably feeding and fueling our planet; if we can understand how these cofactors work, then there is the possibility to design synthetic catalysts that function similarly.

This book is a collection of critical reviews of the use of high-performance liquid chromatography in a very specialized area of research. It describes in detail modern methodology to separate nucleic acids, enzymes and a wide variety of biologically active proteins such as renin.

This book discusses the European Union's approach to governance reform in its development assistance relationships with various groups of developing countries. A group of expert authors outline the general features of the position on governance taken by the EU, which is currently the major multilateral donor of development assistance, and discuss the implementation of EU policies in a set of cases: the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), Southeastern Europe, Central Asia, the Euro-Mediterranean, Latin America and fragile states. The contributions to the book argue that the EU's position on governance reform, particularly since the adoption of the European Consensus on Development in 2005, has had distinctly neoliberal overtones. The EU's governance-related strategies have been instrumental to deepening market-based reform in aid-receiving countries. Policies on state-building adopted by the EU reflect mainly the interests of and ideas embraced by the EU and its member states. To an important extent, the rhetoric accompanying EU policies does not match with the political and social dynamics inherent in governance structures on the ground in many of its aid-recipient partner countries. This book was published as a special issue of Third World Quarterly.

It is increasingly clear that signal transduction is a highly organized and integrated process. Divided into two convenient sections, Signal Transduction Protocols, Third Edition focuses on experimental approaches to better understand the complexity of signal transduction. Introductory chapters provide perspective on several of the challenges involved in signal transduction research and offer guidance on selecting the best approaches to various types of questions. The individual chapters provide detailed experimental protocols covering various topics, from the effects of ligand binding on receptor conformation and effector coupling, to moving inside the cell in order to capture the spatial and temporal characteristics of signaling events. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and accessible, Signal Transduction Protocols serves as an ideal guide to scientists of all backgrounds and is a valuable resource for future progress in the field of signal transduction research.

Membrane Proteins - Engineering, Purification and Crystallization, a volume of Methods In Enzymology, encompasses chapters from the leading experts in the area of membrane protein biology. The chapters provide a brief overview of the topics covered and also outline step-by-step protocol for the interested audience. Illustrations and case example images are included wherever appropriate to help the readers understand the schematics and general experimental outlines.

This book gives an introduction to molecular biophysics. It starts from material properties at equilibrium related to polymers, dielectrics and membranes. Electronic spectra are developed for the understanding of elementary dynamic processes in photosynthesis including proton transfer and dynamics of molecular motors. Since the molecular structures of functional groups of bio-systems were resolved, it has become feasible to develop a theory based on the quantum theory and statistical physics with emphasis on the specifics of the high complexity of bio-systems. This introduction to molecular aspects of the field focuses on solvable models. Elementary biological processes provide as special challenge the presence of partial disorder in the structure which does not destroy the basic reproducibility of the processes. Apparently the elementary molecular processes are organized in a way to optimize the efficiency. Learning from nature by means exploring the relation between structure and function may even help to build better artificial solar cells. The reader is exposed to basic concepts in modern biophysics, such as entropic forces, phase separation, potential of mean force, electron and proton transfer, heterogeneous reactions, coherent and incoherent energy transfer as well as molecular motors. Basic knowledge in classical and Quantum mechanics, electrostatics and statistical physics is desirable. Simplified models are presented which can be solved in limited cases analytically from the guiding lines to generate the basis for a fundamental understanding of the more complex biophysical systems. Chapters close with challenging problems whose solutions are provided at the end of the book to complete the pedagogical treatment in the book. To the second edition several new chapters were added. The medium polarization is treated self-consistently using basic elements of polaron theory and more advanced nonlinear Schroedinger equations to describe the dynamics of solvation. Ion transport through a membrane was extended by the discussion of cooperative effects. Intramolecular transitions are now discussed in the new edition in much more detail, including also radiationless transitions. Very recent developments in spectroscopy are included, especially two-dimensional and hole-burning spectroscopy. The discussion of charge transfer processes was extended by including recent results of hole transfer in DNA in connection with the super-exchange mechanism. The chapter on molecular motors was rewritten to include the most recent developments of new models. The book is a useful text for students and researchers wanting to go through the mathematical derivations in the theories presented. This book attracts a group of applied mathematically oriented students and scholars to the exciting field of molecular biophysics.

How and why certain proteins misfold and how this misfolding is linked to many disease processes has become a well-documented topic of study. Protein Misfolding and Cellular Stress in Disease and Aging: Concepts and Protocols moves beyond the basics to emphasize the molecular effects of protein misfolding at a cellular level, to delineate the impacts and cellular reactions that play a role in pathogenetic mechanisms, and to pinpoint possible manipulations and treatment strategies that can counteract, modify, or delay the consequences of misfolding. The volume begins with several concepts and approaches developed in the recent past including a connection to the research field of aging, where protein misfolding diseases have been equated to premature aging processes, and the book's coverage continues with detailed descriptions of protocols for relevant experimental approaches. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, protocols 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, Protein Misfolding and Cellular Stress in Disease and Aging: Concepts and Protocols aims to aid researchers in the field, as well as medical professionals and molecular biologists, in shaping and performing research related to this intriguing and vital subject.

Although less common than -amino acids, non- -amino acids-where the amino group is not on the carbon immediately adjacent to the carboxyl group but is attached to another carbon in the chain (for example, the , , carbon)-are components of biologically important molecules, are significant in the pharmaceutical industry, and are useful starting materials for many areas of organic chemistry. Since the publication of the first edition of this book nearly 20 years ago, synthetic work devoted to the preparation of non- -amino acids has expanded greatly. Methods of Non- -Amino Acid Synthesis, Second Edition has been extensively rewritten and reorganized, providing an up-to-date review of strategies and methods for non- -amino acid synthesis, particularly those amino acids that are key synthetic intermediates or important compounds in their own right. It focuses on acyclic amino acids of C3-C10, but also aminoalkanoic carboxylic acids, aminoalkenoic acids, and aminoalkynoic acids. The new edition contains many updated references and has a greater emphasis on the biological importance of non- -amino acids. In addition to an array of synthetic methods, the book offers discussions on why non- -amino acids are important. The book covers synthetic methods that rely on substituent refunctionalization, the conversion of cyclic precursors to acyclic amino acids, conjugate addition reactions, and enolate anion reactions and condensation reactions that lead to non- -amino acids. It also examines reactions and strategies that lead to good diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity during synthesis. A chapter devoted to biologically important amino acids includes separate sections on GABA, GABOB, carnitine, DAVA, statine, and other significant amino acids as well as a new section on peptides and proteins that contain non- -amino acids. The final chapter addresses aminocyclic and heterocyclic amino acids.

Written by a pioneer in the development of spin labeling in biophysics, this expert book covers the fundamentals of nitroxide spin labeling through cutting-edge applications in chemistry, physics, materials science, molecular biology, and biomedicine. Nitroxides have earned their place as one of the most popular organic paramagnets due to their suitability as inhibitors of oxidative processes, as a means to polarize magnetic nuclei, and, in molecular biology, as probes and labels to understand molecular structures and dynamics AS DRAGS FOR CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES. Beginning with an overview of the basic methodology and nitroxides' 145-year history, this book equips students with necessary background and techniques to undertake original research and industry work in this growing field.

This book is devoted to the physical and mathematical modeling of the formation of complexes of protein molecules. The models developed show remarkable sensitivity to the amino acid sequences of proteins, which facilitates experimental studies and allows one to reduce the associated costs by reducing the number of measurements required according to the developed criteria. These models make it possible to reach a conclusion about the interactions between different amino acid chains and to identify more stable sites on proteins. The models also take the phosphorylation of amino acid residues into account. At the end of the book, the authors present possible directions of application of their physical and mathematical models in clinical medicine.

Microbial infection is increasingly seen as a problem as we begin to run out of antibiotics. Understanding how microbes cause disease is essential. In recent years it has begun to emerge that bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses can use their cell stress proteins to cause infection. This volume brings together the world's leading experts in the study of the microbial and human cell stress proteins that are involved in enabling microorganisms to infect humans and cause serious disease.

This book focusses on evolutionary, structural and functional aspects of pore-forming proteins, bringing together prominent researchers in the fields of structural biology and cellular and biophysical techniques. The focus is on the MACPF/CDC protein super family that was originally discovered because of unexpected structural similarity between a domain present in bacterial cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDC) and proteins of the membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) family. Members of the MACPF/CDC super family are crucial for many biological processes, being efficient agents of development, defence, attack and invasion of cells and tissues. However, their best-known role is in bacterial pathogenesis and the proper functioning of the vertebrate immune system, via formation of transmembrane pores in target cell membranes.

The book contains chapters on the distribution of MACPF/CDC proteins and on aspects of their evolution and structural properties, the similarities between different super family members and functional properties of some of the best known examples. The book also contains an overview of biophysical approaches that may be used in the future to provide further insights into how these interesting proteins function.

How Proteins Work is an up-to-date and authoritative account of protein function in living systems, explained within the governing parameters of physics, chemistry, and evolution. This text will enable advanced undergraduate students in biochemistry and biophysics to understand the relationships among protein function, structure, and dynamics. It will also serve as a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers looking for a reference on the fundamentals underlying protein function. By providing an integrated view of proteins at both a cellular and systemic level, this textbook shows how evolution drives proteins to adopt domain structures that combine to achieve biological outcomes. The association of proteins into dimers, molecular machines, and multi-enzymatic complexes enables them to achieve catalytic and functional efficiency.

This detailed book explores the technical breakthroughs with biophysical and cell biological approaches that have advanced the study of molecular mechanisms underlying the generation and transduction of the hedgehog (HH) signal, indicating the important role of sterols in this pathway. Within its pages, the volume examines techniques involving several key protein components in this pathway, including HH, the signaling ligand; Dispatched, a HH secretion regulator; Patched, the receptor of HH; Smoothened, the signal transducer used to transduce the HH signal across the plasma membrane; and GLI, the transcription factor to turn on HH target genes. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters feature introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step readily reproducible laboratory protocols, as well as tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Hedgehog Signaling: Methods and Protocols provides researchers in clinical and basic science with a fresh and reliable reference for analyzing HH signal transduction through cell biological, biochemical, and biophysical approaches.

The feld of proteomics moves rapidly. New methods, techniques, applications, standards, models and software appear almost on a daily basis. Accompanying this are plenty of texts on the experimental side of the feld and a few appearing on the informatic and data analysis side. This latterly includes one in the Methods in Molecular Biology series tackling the specifc analysis of "Mass spectrometry data in proteomics" in MMB vol. 376. This current collection builds on this, but takes a broader view of proteome data analysis covering data analysis essentials, but also the databases and data models, as well as practical consid- ations for analysing database search results, annotating genomes, and speeding up searches. It also digs deeper into some topics, such as decoy database searching and aspects of signal processing in proteomic mass spectrometry. The aim of the volume is to provide the reader with a mix of reviews and methodology chapters, which build from the essentials of database searching in proteomics, on through specifc data processing challenges to databases, data standards and data models.

Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) comprise a large superfamily of proteins that are of central importance in the detoxification or activation of a tremendous number of natural and synthetic hydrophobic xenobiotics, including many therapeutic drugs, chemical carcinogens and environmental pollutants. CYPs are important in mediating interactions between an organism and its chemical environment and in the regulation of physiological processes. Cytochrome P450 Protocols, Third Edition focuses on high-throughput methods for the simultaneous analysis of multiple CYPs, substrates or ligands. Although the emphasis is on CYPs of mammalian origin, it reflects an increasing interest in CYPs of bacterial species. Also included are chapters on cytochrome P450 reductase (the redox partner of CYPs) and the flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), and metabolomic and lipidomic approaches for identification of endogenous substrates of CYPs ('de-orphanizing' CYP substrates). 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, Cytochrome P450 Protocols, Third Edition provides a wide range of techniques accessible to researchers in fields as diverse as biochemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, toxicology, environmental biology and genetics.

This volume presents relevant background information to understanding the molecular basis governing unconventional protein secretion (UPS), and in particular explores the latest techniques and protocols that have been successfully applied for the study of this topic. Detailed chapters include an overview of conventional and unconventional secretory pathways along with multidisciplinary approaches and methods used for UPS analysis in different organisms. 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, Unconventional Protein Secretion: Methods and Protocols will be useful for all interested in the secretory pathway field as well as applications in cell biology, cell development, biomedical research, and healthcare.

Tetraspanin proteins have recently emerged as a new class of modulators of various processes involving cell surface receptors, including cell migration and invasion, host immune responses, cell-cell fusion, and viral infection. The book summarises recent advances in the fields of biology in which the role of tetraspanins have been established and also covers the molecular evolution of the tetraspanin superfamily and structural aspects of the organisation of tetraspanin microdomains.

Upstream processing refers to the production of proteins by cells genetically engineered to contain the human gene which will express the protein of interest. The demand for large quantities of specific proteins is increasing the pressure to boost cell culture productivity, and optimizing bioreactor output has become a primary concern for most pharmaceutical companies. Each chapter in Cell Culture and Upstream Processing is taken from presentations at the highly acclaimed IBC conferences as well as meetings of the European Society for Animal Cell Technology (ESACT) and Protein Expression in Animal Cells (PEACe) and describes how to improve yield and optimize the cell culture production process for biopharmaceuticals, by focusing on safety, quality, economics and operability and productivity issues. Cell Culture and Upstream Processing will appeal to a wide scientific audience, both professional practitioners of animal cell technology as well as students of biochemical engineering or biotechnology in graduate or high level undergraduate courses at university.