New Research On Signal Transduction

In many transduction processes, an increasing number of enzymes and other molecules become engaged in the events that proceed from the initial stimulus. In such cases the chain of steps is referred to as a "signalling cascade" or a "second messenger pathway" and often results in a small stimulus eliciting a large response. Hormones and other signalling molecules may exit the sending cell by exocytosis or other means of membrane transport. The sending cell is typically of a specialised type. Its recipients may be of one type or several, as in the case of insulin, which triggers diverse and systemic effects. This book sheds new light in this exciting field of cell transportation research.

Signal Transduction is a text reference on cellular signalling processes. Starting with the basics, it explains how cells respond to external cues (hormones, cytokines, neurotransmitters, adhesion molecules, extracellular matrix etc), and shows how these inputs are integrated and co-ordinated. The first half of the book provides the conceptual framework, explaining the formation and action of second messengers, particularly cyclic nucleotides and calcium, and the mediation of signal pathways by GTP-binding proteins. The remaining chapters deal with the formation of complex signalling cascades employed by cytokines and adhesion molecules, starting at the membrane and ending in the nucleus, there to regulate gene transcription. In this context, growth is an important potential outcome and this has relevance to the cellular transformations that underlie cancer. The book ends with a description at the molecular level of how signalling proteins interact with their environment and with each other through their structural domains. Each main topic is introduced with a historical essay, detailing the sources, key observations and experiments that set the scene for recent and current work.

This book uniquely relates the broad impact of signal transduction research on the understanding and treatment of human disease. There have been significant advances in the area of signaling in disease processes, yet no resource presently connects these advances with understanding of disease processes and applications for novel therapeutics. Given the emphasis on translational research and biological relevance in biotechnology, and, conversely, the importance of molecular approaches for clinical research, it is evident that a single resource bridging signaling research and human disease will be invaluable.

Signal transduction is any process by which a cell converts one kind of signal or stimulus into another. Processes referred to as signal transduction often involve a sequence of biochemical reactions inside the cell, which are carried out by enzymes and linked through second messengers. In many transduction processes, an increasing number of enzymes and other molecules become engaged in the events that proceed from the initial stimulus. Responses of cells to environmental signals, toxins and stressors have profound implications for diverse aspects of human health and disease including development, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, asthma, heart, auto-immune diseases and cancer. The delineation of the signal transduction pathways affected in these and other complex human diseases are likely to present new avenues for therapeutic intervention and understanding of human disease mechanisms. This book presents the latest research in the field.

Cell Surface GRP78, a New Paradigm in Signal Transduction Biology presents a new paradigm that has emerged in the past decade with the discovery that various intracellular proteins may acquire new functions as cell surface receptors. Two very prominent examples are ATP synthase and GRP78. While the role of cell surface ATP synthase has been reviewed in various books, this book directs its attention to the story of cell surface GRP78. Edited by the researcher who identified cell surface expression of the molecular chaperone GRP78 as a major factor in prostate cancer and other malignancies Presents an in-depth treatment of the biological underpinnings of GRP78 and its connection to disease Provides four-color illustrations that facilitate the narrative

Providing an overview of recent developments in the field of signal transduction, this volume emphasizes direct clinical significance. As such, topics like nuclear receptors, apoptosis, growth factors, cell cycles and cancer are examined.

This volume focuses on the relationship between the regulation of signal transduction and disease mechanisms, and discusses how the dysregulation of intracellular signals cause diseases, cell death, carcinogenesis, and other disorders. Growth, survival, transformation, and metabolic activities at the cellular level are regulated by various intracellular signal transduction pathways. Sources that stimulate intracellular signals include intracellular stresses and signal regulators/modulators, as well as extracellular growth factors. Recent studies on signal transduction analysis using animal and human cell lines have revealed how the intracellular signals are regulated and why their dysregulation leads to pathological states such as tumorigenesis, metabolic diseases, cell death, and so on. This book highlights several important key molecules and intracellular signaling pathways such as microRNA, the TGF-beta signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway and MET signaling pathway as topical and highly relevant issues in human cell research related to signal transduction. In addition to assessing the pathogenic role of these signaling pathways, it focuses on the molecular design of small molecule regulators/inhibitors of said pathways, one of the most important approaches in this area. This book offers a valuable guide, helping not only research scientists but also clinicians to understand how the dysregulation of intracellular signals leads to diseases.

Signal transduction is any process by which a cell converts one kind of signal or stimulus into another. Processes referred to as signal transduction often involve a sequence of biochemical reactions inside the cell, which are carried out by enzymes and linked through second messengers. In many transduction processes, an increasing number of enzymes and other molecules become engaged in the events that proceed from the initial stimulus. Responses of cells to environmental signals, toxins and stressors have profound implications for diverse aspects of human health and disease including development, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, asthma, heart, autoimmune diseases and cancer. The delineation of the signal transduction pathways affected in these and other complex human diseases are likely to present new avenues for therapeutic intervention and understanding of human disease mechanisms.