Dictyostelium discoideum is a well-establish eukaryotic model organism that offers unique advantages for studying fundamental cellular processes, including signal transduction, random and directed cell motility, cytokinesis, endocytosis and vesicle transport and development. Dictyostelium is also increasingly used for the investigation of human disease genes and the crosstalk between host and pathogen. The availability of the genome sequence at a mouse click together with a whole range of supporting information and resources along with a powerful armoury of molecular genetics techniques have considerably enhanced the experimental attractiveness of D. discoideum in recent years. The second edition of Dictyostelium discoideum Protocols incorporates the most recent developments in a number of fields. The book is divided into four parts. The first part provides an introduction to the amoebozoa and community resources. The second part presents large-scale analysis methods made possible by the completion of the Dictyostelium genome sequence. The third part is dedicated to molecular genetics techniques, cell biological, biochemical and biophysical methods. The chapters in the fourth part describe the use of Dictyostelium as a model system to study vesicle formation, trafficking and infection by bacterial pathogens. Written in the highly 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 laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Dictyostelium discoideum Protocols, Second Edition seeks to aid scientists in the application of innovating techniques to study a range of fundamental biological processes in this attractive model organism.

This detailed book expands upon the previous edition with a collection of methods for those performing experimental work on small GTPases of the Rho family. Split into four sections, the volume explores computational modeling and imaging procedures, biochemical methods related to post-translational modifications of Rho GTPases as well as some high throughput methods, functional assays that allow for monitoring the consequences of manipulating Rho GTPases in a variety of cell types and cell biology processes, and techniques specifically designed for studies in selected non-mammalian model organisms (zebrafish, social ameba, plants and algae). 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, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on trouble shooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Rho GTPases: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition constitutes an invaluable tool for all those with an interest in this remarkable family of signaling proteins.

Although initially described as major regulators of cytoskeletal remodeling, Rho GTPases have been implicated in the establishment of polarity, endocytosis, vesicle trafficking, morphogenesis, cytokinesis, transcriptional activation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis, to mention a few. In addition, Rho GTPases have acquired medical relevance because of their participation in tumorigenesis and metastasis, in cardiovascular conditions, and as targets of infectious agents. The field has broadened even more with the contribution of studies in model organisms (plants, amoebas, fungi, invertebrates), each adding a particular view to the complexity of the family and vastly enriching our perception of these important signaling components. Divided into five convenient sections, Rho GTPase: Methods and Protocols provides an historical overview of the field and an account of the phylogenetics of the Rho family, general biochemical methods, and functional assays that allow monitoring the consequences of manipulating Rho GTPases in a variety of contexts. Additionally, the volume devotes a section to advanced imaging methods and to recently developed high throughput methods, closing with techniques specifically designed for studies in selected non-mammalian model organisms. 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, Rho GTPase: Methods and Protocols provides techniques that are standard for researchers in the field but also includes protocols for those who, being already familiar with some of the techniques, wish to explore additional aspects.

Although initially described as major regulators of cytoskeletal remodeling, Rho GTPases have been implicated in the establishment of polarity, endocytosis, vesicle trafficking, morphogenesis, cytokinesis, transcriptional activation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis, to mention a few. In addition, Rho GTPases have acquired medical relevance because of their participation in tumorigenesis and metastasis, in cardiovascular conditions, and as targets of infectious agents. The field has broadened even more with the contribution of studies in model organisms (plants, amoebas, fungi, invertebrates), each adding a particular view to the complexity of the family and vastly enriching our perception of these important signaling components. Divided into five convenient sections, Rho GTPase: Methods and Protocols provides an historical overview of the field and an account of the phylogenetics of the Rho family, general biochemical methods, and functional assays that allow monitoring the consequences of manipulating Rho GTPases in a variety of contexts. Additionally, the volume devotes a section to advanced imaging methods and to recently developed high throughput methods, closing with techniques specifically designed for studies in selected non-mammalian model organisms. 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, Rho GTPase: Methods and Protocols provides techniques that are standard for researchers in the field but also includes protocols for those who, being already familiar with some of the techniques, wish to explore additional aspects.

Dictyostelium discoideum is a well-establish eukaryotic model organism that offers unique advantages for studying fundamental cellular processes, including signal transduction, random and directed cell motility, cytokinesis, endocytosis and vesicle transport and development. Dictyostelium is also increasingly used for the investigation of human disease genes and the crosstalk between host and pathogen. The availability of the genome sequence at a mouse click together with a whole range of supporting information and resources along with a powerful armoury of molecular genetics techniques have considerably enhanced the experimental attractiveness of D. discoideum in recent years. The second edition of Dictyostelium discoideum Protocols incorporates the most recent developments in a number of fields. The book is divided into four parts. The first part provides an introduction to the amoebozoa and community resources. The second part presents large-scale analysis methods made possible by the completion of the Dictyostelium genome sequence. The third part is dedicated to molecular genetics techniques, cell biological, biochemical and biophysical methods. The chapters in the fourth part describe the use of Dictyostelium as a model system to study vesicle formation, trafficking and infection by bacterial pathogens. Written in the highly 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 laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Dictyostelium discoideum Protocols, Second Edition seeks to aid scientists in the application of innovating techniques to study a range of fundamental biological processes in this attractive model organism.