This work is concerned with a group of proteins which were originally consid ered to be an esoteric phenomenon but which have now been shown to play critical roles both in normal and stressed cells as well as being involved in a variety of human diseases. It is the purpose of this work to give a comprehen sive view of these proteins and their various aspects. After an introductory chapter providing an overview of these proteins, the work is divided into four main sections each of which deals with one important aspect of these proteins. Thus, the first section contains a series of chapters which describe individual stress proteins and their roles in particular biological phenomena. Evidently, the induction of these proteins by elevated tempera ture or other stresses is their defining feature and the second section of this book therefore considers the regulation of stress protein gene expression both by stressful stimuli such as elevated temperature or ischaemia and by non stressful stimuli such as cytokines.

This work is concerned with a group of proteins which were originally consid ered to be an esoteric phenomenon but which have now been shown to play critical roles both in normal and stressed cells as well as being involved in a variety of human diseases. It is the purpose of this work to give a comprehen sive view of these proteins and their various aspects. After an introductory chapter providing an overview of these proteins, the work is divided into four main sections each of which deals with one important aspect of these proteins. Thus, the first section contains a series of chapters which describe individual stress proteins and their roles in particular biological phenomena. Evidently, the induction of these proteins by elevated tempera ture or other stresses is their defining feature and the second section of this book therefore considers the regulation of stress protein gene expression both by stressful stimuli such as elevated temperature or ischaemia and by non stressful stimuli such as cytokines.

For this forth edition, the book has been updated thoroughly, with particular emphasis on modulation of chromatin structure by histone modifications/ remodelling complexes and the role of co-activators/ co-repressors. Methods used to analyse gene expression have also been given more attention, with a new section added on methods for examining DNA binding by transcription factors. Additionally, new sections have been added on coupling of transcription factors. Additionally, new sections have been added on coupling of transcription with post-transcriptional process and negatively acting sequence elements, which are of increasing prominence.

Gene regulation is an essential process in the development and maintenance of a healthy body, and as such, is a central focus in both basic science and medical research. "Gene Regulation, Fifth Edition" provides the student with a clear, up-to-date description of gene regulation in eukaryotes, distilling the vast and complex primary literature into a concise overview. For this edition, in addition to extensive updating of existing material, sections on large-scale methodologies have been expanded, and a new section included on regulation by small interfering RNAs. More detail has been added on the role of multi-protein complexes in transcriptional activation, and the discussion of the regulation of transcription factor activity by specific modifications, to include acetylation and ubiquitination, as well as phosphorylation. The final chapter on gene regulation and human disease now includes additional novel examples, such as RNA editing in motor neurone disease, role of the transcriptional co-activator CBP in Alzheimer's disease and PML-RAR involvement in acute promyelocytic leukaemia. Students in undergraduate courses will find this book essential reading.