Gtpases In Biology I

The GTPase switch appears to be almost as old as life itself, and nature has adapted it to a variety of purposes. This two-volume work surveys the major classes of GTPases, including their role in ensuring accuracy during protein translation, a new look at the trimeric G-protein cycle, the molecular function of ARF in vesicle coating, the emerging role of the dynamin family in vesicle transfer, GTPases which activate GTPases during nascent protein translocation, and the many roles of ras-related proteins in growth, cytoskeletal polymerization, and vesicle transfer. 80 chapters contain much previously unpublished data and, at the rate the extended family of GTPases is growing, it is unlikely that it will again sit for a group portrait such as this. Thus, this could well become the standard reference work.

Recent advances in molecular biology have shown GTPases and phosphoproteins to be the paramount molecular switches utilized intracellularly in biological systems. The origins of the GTPase switch appear to be almost as ancient as life itself, and through evolution nature has adapted this switch to a variety of purposes. In this two-volume work a broad survey of the major classes of GTPases is presented. The role of GTPases in ensuring accuracy during protein translation, a new look at the trimeric G-protein cycle, the molecular function of ARF in vesicle coating, the emerging role of the dynamin family in vesicle transfer, GTPases which activate GTPases during nascent protein translocation, and the many roles of ras-related proteins in growth, cytoskeletal polymerization, and vesicle transfer, are all described in 80 chapters by the leading authorities in their fields. Both detailed knowledge of specific systems or proteins and general principles of structure and function are offered. Much of this information has never been published before. At the rate the extended family of GTPases is growing it becomes increasingly unlikely that we will again get it to sit for a group portrait such as this. Therefore, the volume has the chance to become the reference work for GTPases.

The GTPase switch appears to be almost as old as life itself, and nature has adapted it to a variety of purposes. This two-volume work surveys the major classes of GTPases, including their role in ensuring accuracy during protein translation, a new look at the trimeric G-protein cycle, the molecular function of ARF in vesicle coating, the emerging role of the dynamin family in vesicle transfer, GTPases which activate GTPases during nascent protein translocation, and the many roles of ras-related proteins in growth, cytoskeletal polymerization, and vesicle transfer. 80 chapters contain much previously unpublished data and, at the rate the extended family of GTPases is growing, it is unlikely that it will again sit for a group portrait such as this. Thus, this could well become the standard reference work.

Recent advances in molecular biology have shown GTPases and phosphoproteins to be the paramount molecular switches utilized intracellularly in biological systems. The origins of the GTPase switch appear to be almost as ancient as life itself, and through evolution nature has adapted this switch to a variety of purposes. In this two-volume work a broad survey of the major classes of GTPases is presented. The role of GTPases in ensuring accuracy during protein translation, a new look at the trimeric G-protein cycle, the molecular function of ARF in vesicle coating, the emerging role of the dynamin family in vesicle transfer, GTPases which activate GTPases during nascent protein translocation, and the many roles of ras-related proteins in growth, cytoskeletal polymerization, and vesicle transfer, are all described in 80 chapters by the leading authorities in their fields. Both detailed knowledge of specific systems or proteins and general principles of structure and function are offered. Much of this information has never been published before. At the rate the extended family of GTPases is growing it becomes increasingly unlikely that we will again get it to sit for a group portrait such as this. Therefore, the volume has the chance to become the reference work for GTPases.

Rho GTPases control many aspects of cell physiology. This includes polarity, endo/exocytosis, adhesion, motility, transcriptional activation, cell cycle progression or apoptosis. In view of such pleiotropic activities, Rho-controlled signaling has proven to be of medical relevance, especially in tumorigenesis, disease-associated bone remodeling and infectiology. This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 gives an evolutionary perspective of the Rho family, its atypical members, and an overview of how Rho activity is regulated. Part 2 addresses two important aspects of multicellularity controlled by Rho-dependent pathways, namely, cell-cell interactions and mechanotransduction. It also describes how post-translational modifications control Rho activity and how this is exploited by pathogenic bacteria. Part 3 explores several examples of the variety of pathophysiological processes controlled by Rho signaling, and gives a successful example of translational research, from the inhibition of Rho activation to the development of new molecules against osteoporosis. This updated review on the biology of Rho GTPases is an essential read for molecular and cell biologists. It is also an invaluable guide to post-graduate and medical students who wish to deepen their knowledge in cell biology. Contents: An Historical and Evolutionary PerspectiveAtypical Rho GTPases in Health and DiseaseRegulators of Rho SignalingRho GTPases in Cadherin-Based Cell-Cell InteractionsRho Signaling in MechanotransductionPost-Translational modifications of Rho GTPasesRhoA Mutations in Cancer: Oncogenes or Tumor-SuppressorsModulation of Osteoclast Differentiation and Function by Rho GTPasesRhoGEFs as Therapeutic TargetsEndothelial-Specific Rho GTPase Signaling During Leukocyte Extravasation Readership: Molecular and cell biologists, post-graduate and medical students interested in cell biology. Keywords: Rho GTPases;Signaling Oathways;F-actin;Cytoskeleton;Adhesion;Migration;CancerReview: Key Features: Different integration levels for a better understanding of biological and pathological implications of Rho signalingChapters cover updated and original Rho-controlled aspects of cell biologyContributors are leaders in their fields of research

Members of the Rho family of small GTP-binding proteins (GTPases) are key signal transduction proteins that mediate signals initiated by growth factors, cytokines and cell adhesion proteins. Our knowledge about Rho GTPases has rapidly expanded over the past several years and Rho GTPases is the first book to provide a comprehensive overview of the regulation and functions of this important class of proteins. This book includes several chapters dedicated to the review of various classes of proteins that control the localization and activation state of Rho GTPases. Additional chapters discuss the wide range of biological functions that are controlled by Rho GTPases, including the organization of the actin cytoskeleton, cell proliferation and cell motility. Rho GTPases is essential reading for cell and molecular biologists, biochemists and geneticists. The critical roles of Rho family members in cancer and inflammatory diseases makes Rho GTPases also an invaluable guide for clinical investigators and pharmacologists.