Membrane Dynamics and Domains

Membrane Dynamics and Domains
Author: Peter J. Quinn
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 528
Release: 2004-07-02
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780306484254

The fluid-mosaic model of membrane structure formulated by Singer and Nicolson in the early 1970s has proven to be a durable concept in terms of the principles governing the organization of the constituent lipids and proteins. During the past 30 or so years a great deal of information has accumulated on the composition of various cell membranes and how this is related to the dif ferent functions that membranes perform. Nevertheless, the task of explaining particular functions at the molecular level has been hampered by lack of struc tural detail at the atomic level. The reason for this is primarily the difficulty of crystallizing membrane proteins which require strategies that differ from those used to crystallize soluble proteins. The unique exception is bacteriorhodopsin of the purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium which is interpolated into a membrane that is neither fluid nor in a mosaic configuration. To date only 50 or so membrane proteins have been characterised to atomic resolution by diffraction methods, in contrast to the vast data accumulated on soluble proteins. Another factor that has been difficult to explain is the reason why the lipid compliment of membranes is often extremely complex. Many hundreds of different molecular species of lipid can be identified in some membranes. Remarkably, the particular composition of each membrane appears to be main tained within relatively narrow limits and its identity distinguished from other morphologically-distinct membranes.

Calcium Entry Channels in Non-Excitable Cells

Calcium Entry Channels in Non-Excitable Cells
Author: Juliusz Ashot Kozak
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 343
Release: 2017-07-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 149875273X

Calcium Entry Channels in Non-Excitable Cells focuses on methods of investigating the structure and function of non-voltage gated calcium channels. Each chapter presents important discoveries in calcium entry pathways, specifically dealing with the molecular identification of store-operated calcium channels which were reviewed by earlier volumes in the Methods in Signal Transduction series. Crystallographic and pharmacological approaches to the study of calcium channels of epithelial cells are also discussed. Calcium ion is a messenger in most cell types. Whereas voltage gated calcium channels have been studied extensively, the non-voltage gated calcium entry channel genes have only been identified relatively recently. The book will fill this important niche.

Membrane Microdomain Signaling

Membrane Microdomain Signaling
Author: Mark P. Mattson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 219
Release: 2007-10-27
Genre: Science
ISBN: 159259803X

Cutting-edge articles review our current understanding of lipid microdomain signaling mechanisms and their physiological and pathological importance. The book describes the role of lipid rafts in learning, memory, and cancer, presents the emerging evidence that lipid rafts play critical roles in signaling pathways and the regulation of synaptic function in the nervous system, and shows how alterations in lipid raft metabolism are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Techniques are also described for the isolation of lipid rafts, the analysis of the lipid and protein components of lipid rafts, the imaging of lipid rafts in living cells, and the analysis of signal transduction in lipid rafts.

Intracellular Cholesterol Trafficking

Intracellular Cholesterol Trafficking
Author: T.Y. Chang
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 298
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461551137

INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE FOR INTRACELLULAR CHOLESTEROL TRAFFICKING This volume is an elaboration of an earlier small meeting held in St. Louis, Missouri. In April 1997, many of the authors met for a two-day meeting devoted entirely to intracellular cholesterol trafficking. The rationale for this meeting was that investigators interested in this topic worked in a variety of fields, and rarely, if ever, all met together. Everybody knew each other's papers but mostly worked in isolation from one another. Understanding of cholesterol trafficking also appeared to have reached the point where it would start to rapidly expand beyond these few laboratories. Understanding of cholesterol trafficking was moving from a largely descriptive science into the molecular age. It seemed a good time to get together and see how much we agreed upon up to this point. More authors contributed to this volume than attended the St. Louis meeting. That meeting was generously funded by grants from Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck and Company and Parke-Davis, however, the total funding available limited the size of the meeting. For the book, we are not so limited and have tried to be as inclusive as possible and pretty much invited everyone who is presently active in this area. We were quite fortunate to successfully recruit the authors we sought for each of these chapters. The authors and their contributions can be organized by particular interests and particular areas of expertise.

Brain Lipids in Synaptic Function and Neurological Disease

Brain Lipids in Synaptic Function and Neurological Disease
Author: Jacques Fantini
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 398
Release: 2015-05-12
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0128004924

Lipids are the most abundant organic compounds found in the brain, accounting for up to 50% of its dry weight. The brain lipidome includes several thousands of distinct biochemical structures whose expression may greatly vary according to age, gender, brain region, cell type, as well as subcellular localization. In synaptic membranes, brain lipids specifically interact with neurotransmitter receptors and control their activity. Moreover, brain lipids play a key role in the generation and neurotoxicity of amyloidogenic proteins involved in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases. The aim of this book is to provide for the first time a comprehensive overview of brain lipid structures, and to explain the roles of these lipids in synaptic function, and in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Creutzfeldt-Jakob's and Parkinson's. To conclude the book, the authors present new ideas that can drive innovative therapeutic strategies based on the knowledge of the role of lipids in brain disorders. - Written to provide a "hands-on" approach for readers - Biochemical structures explained with molecular models, and molecular mechanisms explained with simple drawings - Step-by-step guide to memorize and draw lipid structures - Each chapter features a content summary, up-to-date references for additional study, and a key experiment with an explanation of the technique

The Plant Plasma Membrane

The Plant Plasma Membrane
Author: Angus S. Murphy
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 494
Release: 2010-11-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642134319

In plant cells, the plasma membrane is a highly elaborated structure that functions as the point of exchange with adjoining cells, cell walls and the external environment. Transactions at the plasma membrane include uptake of water and essential mineral nutrients, gas exchange, movement of metabolites, transport and perception of signaling molecules, and initial responses to external biota. Selective transporters control the rates and direction of small molecule movement across the membrane barrier and manipulate the turgor that maintains plant form and drives plant cell expansion. The plasma membrane provides an environment in which molecular and macromolecular interactions are enhanced by the clustering of proteins in oligimeric complexes for more efficient retention of biosynthetic intermediates, and by the anchoring of protein complexes to promote regulatory interactions. The coupling of signal perception at the membrane surface with intracellular second messengers also involves transduction across the plasma membrane. Finally, the generation and ordering of the external cell walls involves processes mediated at the plant cell surface by the plasma membrane. This volume is divided into three sections. The first section describes the basic mechanisms that regulate all plasma membrane functions. The second describes plasma membrane transport activity. The final section of the book describes signaling interactions at the plasma membrane. These topics are given a unique treatment in this volume, as the discussions are restricted to the plasma membrane itself as much as possible. A more complete knowledge of the plasma membrane’s structure and function is essential to current efforts to increase the sustainability of agricultural production of food, fiber, and fuel crops.

The Endothelium

The Endothelium
Author: Michel Félétou
Publisher: Morgan & Claypool Publishers
Total Pages: 309
Release: 2011
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1615041230

The endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells. The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone, a major actor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolizing and an endocrine organ. Endothelial cells controls vascular tone, and thereby blood flow, by synthesizing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors such as nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 pathways, various peptides (endothelin, urotensin, CNP, adrenomedullin, etc.), adenosine, purines, reactive oxygen species and so on. Additionally, endothelial ectoenzymes are required steps in the generation of vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II. An endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or the release of these various endothelial factors may explain the initiation of cardiovascular pathologies (from hypertension to atherosclerosis) or their development and perpetuation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Multiple Functions of the Endothelial Cells / Calcium Signaling in Vascular Cells and Cell-to-Cell Communications / Endothelium-Dependent Regulation of Vascular Tone / Conclusion / References

Encyclopedia of Behavioral Neuroscience

Encyclopedia of Behavioral Neuroscience
Author:
Publisher: Elsevier Science
Total Pages: 2370
Release: 2021-09-15
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780128196410

Behavioural Neuroscience is a relatively recent discipline which unifies different fields encompassing Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Science, Clinical Neurology, Neuroanatomy, and Neurophysiology. Encyclopedia of Behavioral Neuroscience is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary work written by the best experts in the field, addressing the relationship between the neurological and biological basis of behavior and models of cognition, spanning from perception to memory and covering phenomena that occur in human and other animals. Published in 2010, it comprised 212 articles and was a unique and essential resource for students and professionals in several fields including neuroscience, psychology, neurology, psychiatry, and cognitive science. It was by far the most comprehensive reference work available addressing the advances in all the field of behavioural neuroscience. It does however, now need revising with the latest science. The new edition will again cover the relationship between brain and behaviour, both in humans and other animals, as well as mental and brain disorders. This new edition spans accross three volumes, 250 chapters and approximately 2000 pages. It will build on the foundations of the first edition by thoroughly updating all current articles with the latest research that has developed in the last decade. In addition, 40 brand new articles on the hottest topics within behavioural neuroscience will be added, covering areas such as advances in behavioral genetics and epigenetics, cognitive ageing, neuroepidemiology, social neuroscience, as well as the upsurge of new technologies like diffusion tensor imaging or transcranial direct current stimulation. The result will be an all-encompassing one-stop interdisciplinary major reference work on how the brain and its disorders influence behavior, perfect for neuroscience students, clinicians and scientists interested in knowing more about behaviour from a biological perspective. Much-loved classic reference work fully revised with all the scientific advances of the last decade Comprehensive and authoritative articles on all aspects of behavioural neuroscience Offers readers a 'one-stop' resource for access to a wealth of information to fully support their research and activities in this area Chapters written by leading experts in neuroscience across the globe, thus ensuring the knowledge within is easily understood by and applicable to a large audience Articles intuitively and meticulously organized into 10 coherent sections on key topics, making it easier for the reader to access relevant information quickly Lists of key references and further reading for each article means that related content will be easier to find, and latest/key research in the field will be highlighted

Signaling Mechanisms Regulating T Cell Diversity and Function

Signaling Mechanisms Regulating T Cell Diversity and Function
Author: Jonathan Soboloff
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 258
Release: 2017-03-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 149870509X

T cells play a vital role mediating adaptive immunity, a specific acquired resistance to an infectious agent produced by the introduction of an antigen. There are a variety of T cell types with different functions. They are called T cells, because they are derived from the thymus gland. This volume discusses how T cells are regulated through the operation of signaling mechanisms. Topics covered include positive and negative selection, early events in T cell receptor engagement, and various T cell subsets.