Bücher der Reihe Subcellular Biochemistry

This book is about the importance of water in determining the structure, stability and responsive behavior of biological membranes. Water confers to lipid membranes unique features in terms of surface and mechanical properties. The analysis of the hydration forces, plasticiser effects, controlled hydration, formation of microdomains of confined water suggests that water is an active constituent in a water-lipid system.The chapters describe water organization at the lipid membrane¿water interphase, the water penetration, the long range water structure in the presence of lipid membranes by means of X-ray and neutron scattering, general polarization, fluorescent probes, ATR-FTIR and near infrared spectroscopies, piezo electric methods, computer simulation and surface thermodynamics.Permeation, percolation, osmotic stress, polarization, protrusion, sorption, hydrophobicity, density fluctuations are treated in detail in self-assembled bilayers. Studies in lipid monolayers show the correlation of surface pressure with water activity and its role in peptide and enzyme interactions. The book concludes with a discussion on anhydrobiosis and the effect of water replacement in microdomains and its consequence for cell function. New definitions of lipid/water interphases consider water not only as a structural-making solvent but as a mediator in signalling metabolic activity, modulating protein insertion and enzymatic activity, triggering oscillatory reactions and functioning of membrane bound receptors. Since these effects occur at the molecular level, membrane hydration appears fundamental to understand the behavior of nano systems and confined environments mimicking biological systems.These insights in structural, thermodynamical and mechanical water properties give a base for new paradigms in membrane structure and function for those interested in biophysics, physical chemistry, biology, bio and nano medicine, biochemistry,biotechnology and nano sciences searching for biotechnological inputs in human health, food industry, plant growing and energy conversion.

This volume of the Subcellular Biochemistry series is the result of the long-standing research interest of the editor in the molecular mechanism underlying Alzheimer's disease and other amyloid diseases, indicated also by the earlier book in the series (Volume 38), devoted to Alzheimer's disease.

These are structurally related to the beta CAs, but have a mechanism more similar to the alpha CAs.

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.

This book surveys the structure, dynamics and physics of virus particles from their self-assembly from components produced in the infected cell, through the extracellular stage, until they recognise and infect a new host cell, starting a new infectious cycle.

This volume of the established Subcellular Biochemistry series presents 20 chapters dealing with a broad range of interesting protein complexes.

This book contains a collection of critical reviews on the expression of biologically functional proteins in Leishmania and Trypanosoma, which was written by renowned researchers on this field. Species belonging to these trypanosomatids¿ genera are etiological agents of leishmaniasis, Chagas¿ disease and sleeping sickness that are extremely debilitating human infection diseases, which remain a major health problem especially in countries from Latin America, Africa and Middle East. Substantiating the problem, the currently accepted drugs for these diseases are quiet unsatisfying due to their low efficacy and high toxicity. In order to solve these real problems, several research groups around the world have become involved in the study and identification of novel potential targets in the trypanosomatid cell. Since proteins are key macromolecules involved in crucial metabolic processes of all living cells, studies have focused on the expression of specific proteins produced by Leishmania and Trypanosoma by means of different biochemical, molecular and proteomic approaches in order to explore them as targets for understanding the parasite life cycle and developing new strategies against trypanosomiasis. With these proposals in mind, the book ¿Proteins and Proteomics of Leishmania and Trypanosomä encompasses (i) an integrated view about the biochemistry of parasites belonging to the Leishmania and Trypanosoma genera; (ii) an updated review on the expression of biologically relevant proteins by human pathogenic trypanosomatids and their possible role in the interaction with host cells/molecules as well as a target for development of both alternative chemotherapies and vaccine; and (iii) several pictures, diagrams and tables that can be used to illustrate both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as scientific lectures, being a useful resource for students andresearchers.

Lipid peroxidation is an important cellular process which can lead to detrimental effects if it is not regulated efficiently. Recent studies have shown that lipid hydroperoxide or a slightly modified product of the lipid hydroperoxide reacts with biomolecules such as proteins and aminophospholipids, which leads to formation of amide-type adducts.

Although urea represents roughly 40% of all urinary solutes in normal human urine, the handling of urea in the tissues has been largely neglected in the past and few clinical or experimental studies now report data on urea.

Co-chaperones are important mediators of the outcome of chaperone assisted protein homeostasis, which is a dynamic balance between the integrated processes of protein folding, degradation and translocation.

Established researchers and postgraduate students in the fields of protein chemistry, biochemistry and structural biophysics will find Fibrous Proteins: Structures and Mechanisms to be an invaluable collection of topical reviews that describe the basic advances made in the field of fibrous proteins over the past decade.

The role of vitamin A in living organisms has been known throughout human history. In the last 100 years, the biochemical nature of vitamin A and its active derivative, retinoic acid, its physiological impact on growth processes, and the essential details of its mechanism of action have been revealed by investigations carried out by researchers using vertebrate and more recently invertebrate models to study a multiplicity of processes and conditions, encompassing embryogenesis, postnatal development to old age. A wealth of intercellular interactions, intracellular signaling systems, and molecular mechanisms have been described and the overall conclusion is that retinoic acid is essential for life. This book series, with chapters authored by experts in every aspect of this complex field, unifies the knowledge base and mechanisms currently known in detailed, engaging, well-illustrated, focused chapters that synthesize information for each specific area.In view of the recent information explosion in this field, it is timely to publish a contemporary, comprehensive, book series recapitulating the most exciting developments in the field and covering fundamental research in molecular mechanisms of vitamin A action, its role in physiology, development, and continued well-being, and the potential of vitamin A derivatives and synthetic mimetics to serve as therapeutic treatments for cancers and other debilitating human diseases. Volume II is divided into nine chapters contributed by prominent experts in their respective fields. Each chapter starts with the history of the area of research. Then, the key findings that contributed to development of the field are described, followed by a detailed look at key findings and progress that are being made in current, ongoing research. Each chapter is concluded with a discussion of the relevance of the research and a perspective on missing pieces and lingering gaps that the author recommends will be important in defining future directions in vitamin A research.

This comprehensive, edited book explores carotenoids and their important functional roles in yeast, bacteria and plants and a profound exposition on the structures of carotenoid molecules, focusing in the first of three parts on the biosynthesis of carotenoids.

This book summarizes recent advances in understanding the functions of plant and algal lipids in photosynthesis, in development and signaling, and in industrial applications. As readers will discover, biochemistry, enzymology and analytical chemistry, as well as gene knock-out studies have all contributed to our rapidly increasing understanding of the functions of lipids. In the past few decades, distinct physical and biochemical properties of specific lipid classes were revealed in plant and algal lipids and the functional aspects of lipids in modulating critical biological processes have been uncovered. These chapters from international authors across relevant research fields highlight the underlying evolutionary context of lipid function in photosynthetic unicellular and multicellular organisms. The book goes on to encompass what lipids can do for industrial applications at a time of fascination with plants and algae in carbon fixation and as sources for production of food, energy and novel chemicals. The developmental context is a part of the fresh and engaging perspective that is presented in this work which graduate students and scientists will find both illuminating and useful.

This volume covers both the basic concepts and theory of bio-macromolecules under pressure and the various frontiers in high-pressure bioscience and biotechnology. A century has passed since Bridgman discovered the irreversible coagulation of egg white by applying pressure at 700 atmospheres in 1914. Today we are able to monitor pressure-dependent changes in protein structure as a reversible process even at atomic scale with modern spectroscopic techniques. We can study the fluctuating reality of protein structures as designed by nature, which is the basis for all dynamism of life on earth. We are currently facing a new era of high-pressure bioscience, in which pressure is no longer an ¿odd¿ or ¿foreign¿ variable to life, but rather an integrated part of it. Pressure is used as a crucial variable for disclosing the secrets of nature and as a powerful new tool for enhancing certain reactions in bio-macromolecules and even in living cells for our practical and industrial needs. A dramatic advancement of high-pressure bioscience both in the basic and the applied sciences is thus anticipated in near future, for which sharing the current advanced knowledge on structure and dynamics of bio-macromolecules under pressure among researchers in both fields is crucial.This book serves as a valuable resource not only for those working directly in a pressure-related field, but also for those working in many other fields of the biosciences. Particularly, the basic part of it is intended to serve as a classical text book on high-pressure bioscience to a wide audience including students and researchers in both basic and applied fields in years to come. Readers can focus on topics of immediate interest first, but may wish to go over other chapters if interest arises in a later occasion.

These are structurally related to the beta CAs, but have a mechanism more similar to the alpha CAs.

Phosphoinositides play a major role in cellular signaling and membrane organization. Phosphoinositide 3-kinases and 3-phosphatases have received a special focus in volume I, and recent therapeutic developments in human disease are presented along with a historical perspective illustrating the impressive progress in the field.

Peroxisomes are a class of ubiquitous and dynamic single membrane-bounded cell organelles, devoid of DNA, with an essentially oxidative type of metabolism.

The vertebrate genome DT40 has proven to be a reliable and robust research subject, with fast doubling time, easy clonability and a relatively stable karyotype. This book provides an up to date overview of the different facets of research, and also intends to help newcomers get started and avoid looming pitfalls.

Recent findings of a highly specific regional, laminar and subcellular localization of TNAP in the cerebral cortex indicates that in addition to its metabolic and skeletal functions, TNAP also plays a role in regulating cerebral functions, most probably cognition.

This book is about the importance of water in determining the structure, stability and responsive behavior of biological membranes. Water confers to lipid membranes unique features in terms of surface and mechanical properties. The analysis of the hydration forces, plasticiser effects, controlled hydration, formation of microdomains of confined water suggests that water is an active constituent in a water-lipid system.The chapters describe water organization at the lipid membrane¿water interphase, the water penetration, the long range water structure in the presence of lipid membranes by means of X-ray and neutron scattering, general polarization, fluorescent probes, ATR-FTIR and near infrared spectroscopies, piezo electric methods, computer simulation and surface thermodynamics.Permeation, percolation, osmotic stress, polarization, protrusion, sorption, hydrophobicity, density fluctuations are treated in detail in self-assembled bilayers. Studies in lipid monolayers show the correlation of surface pressure with water activity and its role in peptide and enzyme interactions. The book concludes with a discussion on anhydrobiosis and the effect of water replacement in microdomains and its consequence for cell function. New definitions of lipid/water interphases consider water not only as a structural-making solvent but as a mediator in signalling metabolic activity, modulating protein insertion and enzymatic activity, triggering oscillatory reactions and functioning of membrane bound receptors. Since these effects occur at the molecular level, membrane hydration appears fundamental to understand the behavior of nano systems and confined environments mimicking biological systems.These insights in structural, thermodynamical and mechanical water properties give a base for new paradigms in membrane structure and function for those interested in biophysics, physical chemistry, biology, bio and nano medicine, biochemistry, biotechnology and nano sciences searching for biotechnological inputs in human health, food industry, plant growing and energy conversion.

This book contains an extensive collection of critical reviews, from leading researchers in the field of regulated protein degradation. It covers the role of regulated proteolysis in a range of microorganisms (from Gram positive, Gram negative and pathogenic bacteria to Archaea and the Baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Co-chaperones are important mediators of the outcome of chaperone assisted protein homeostasis, which is a dynamic balance between the integrated processes of protein folding, degradation and translocation.

This book provides the readers with an overview of research on p53, which has been shown to play a role in numerous crucial biological pathways in normal and cancer cells. Leading scientist in the field, who have all made direct contributions to the understanding of the molecular events underpinning p53 function, have been invited to contribute the various chapters, which discuss the current knowledge of the signaling cascades that are activated by mutations in p53 and overexpression of MDM2, frequently found in human cancer and are major causes of oncogenesis.This book features chapters on the molecular basis of oncogenesis induced by gain of function mutation of p53, signaling pathways induced by MDM2 overexpression, control of mutant or wild-type p53 function by MDM2 and MDMX, p53 mutation in hereditary cancer and structural aspects that activate mutant p53 which can be targeted by drug therapy. This book should be useful for scientists at all levels.

The Biochemistry of Retinoic Acid Receptors I: Structure, Activation, and Function at the Molecular Level

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.