Prokaryotic Chaperonins

This book focuses on a topical and timely aspect of prokaryotic biology - the biology of prokaryotic multiple chaperonins. Chaperonins are a class of molecular chaperones, the proteins that assist folding of other proteins in the cell. The book begins with an introductory chapter on the structural and functional aspects of chaperonins, followed by an outline on different mechanisms of their regulation. Subsequently, the book provides a comprehensive overview on how the multiple-chaperonins have embraced biological requirements in different classes of microbes, discussing their functional diversity, evolutionary paths and the latest advances in the field. It brings together leading experts from across the globe in offering a detailed account of the structural, biochemical, functional and phylogenetic characteristics of microbial chaperonins for students, researchers and teachers working in the area of microbiology/ biophysics/ parasitology – more specifically, in protein folding pathways.

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Heat Shock Proteins in Infectious Disease provides the most current review of the literature relating to the role and influence of heat shock (stress) proteins on the establishment, progression and resolution of infectious disease. Written by leaders in the field of heat shock proteins (HSP) and their biological and immunological properties, the contributors provide a fascinating insight into the complex relationship between, and the involvement of prokaryotic and eukaryotic HSP in disease states. It has been known for some considerable time that heat shock proteins from prokaryotic organisms are immunodominant molecules that are intimately involved in the induction of potential protective inflammatory responses, and this aspect of HSP biology is updated herein. In addition to regulating heat shock protein gene expression, the transcription factor HSF1 also appears to play an important role in regulating immune responses to infection. Heat shock proteins are now known to influence infectious disease processes in a number of diverse ways: they are involved in the propagation of prions, the replication and morphogenesis of viruses, and the resistance of parasites to chemotherapy. These proteins also appear to be important mediators of bacteria-host interactions and inflammation, the latter via interactions with cell surface molecules and structures such as Toll-like receptors and lipid rafts. Heat shock proteins can be expressed on the surface of infected cells, and this is likely to provide a target for the innate immune response. Elevated levels of circulating HSP are present in infectious diseases and these proteins might therefore regulate inflammatory responses to pathogenic challenge on a systemic basis. Heat shock proteins are also implicated in the impact of genital tract infections on the reproductive outcome, as well as in the local and systemic consequences of periodontal disease. Fever-range temperatures can induce the expression of heat shock proteins, and the final chapter in the book examines the influence of fever-range hyperthermia on a variety of cells and the organization of plasma membranes. This book is an essential read for graduates and postgraduates in Biology, pro- and eukaryotic Biochemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Inflammatory and Infectious Disease, and Pathology.

The first of its kind, this volume presents the latest research findings on the chaperonins, the best studied family of a class of proteins known as molecular chaperones. These findings are changing our view of some fundamental cellular processes involving proteins, especially how proteins fold into their functional conformations. Origins of the new view of protein folding Prokaryotic chaperonins Eukaryotic chaperonins Evolution of the chaperonins Refolding of denatured proteins Organelle biosynthesis Biomedical aspects

Molecular machines are complex biomolecules, proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates that consume energy in order to perform specific functions. The concerted action of all those machines underlies all the activities of the living cell. To understand how such molecular machines are able to perform their function, it is necessary to identify the different moving parts and understand how they act together. Breaking new ground with these difficult problems is likely to require novel paradigms permitting a seamless integration of structural, dynamical and functional data from experiments and theory. The goal of this volume is to provide an introduction to the world of biological molecular machines to a broad audience of students and researchers in biosciences. Each chapter is written by leading experts to cover results from cutting-edge research, while remaining broadly accessible. The volume presents the current state of knowledge for several important systems, ranging from polymerases, the ribosome, chaperonins, the chromatophore, kinases, actin and myosin, membrane transporters, and voltage-gated ion channels, thus giving students and researches in biosciences a pedagogically integrated picture of this exciting and rapidly expanding field. Contents:Molecular Behavior in Biological Cells: The Bacterial Cytoplasm as a Model System (Adrian H Elcock and Andrew S Thomas [University of Iowa, USA])The Light-Harvesting Apparatus in Purple Photosynthetic Bacteria: Introduction to a Quantum Biological Device (Johan Strümpfer, Jen Hsin, Melih Şener, Danielle Chandler and Klaus Schulten [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA])DNA Polymerases: Structure, Function and Modeling (Tamar Schlick [New York University, USA])Information Processing by Nanomachines: Decoding by the Ribosome (Karissa Y Sanbonmatsu [Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA], Scott C Blanchard [Weill Cornell Medical College, USA] and Paul C Whitford [Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA])Chaperonins: The Machines Which Fold Proteins (Del Lucent [Center for Materials Science and Engineering, Australia], Martin C Stumpe and Vijay S Pande [Stanford University, USA])Muscle and Myosin (Ronald S Rock, Jr [The University of Chicago, USA])Protein Kinases: Phosphorylation Machines (Elaine E Thompson, Susan S Taylor and J Andrew McCammon [University of California at San Diego, USA])Computational Studies of Na+/H+ Antiporter: Structure, Dynamics and Function (Assaf Ganoth, Raphael Alhadeff and Isaiah T Arkin [The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel])Membrane Transporters — Molecular Machines Coupling Cellular Energy to Vectorial Transport Across the Membrane (Zhijian Huang, Saher A Shaikh, Po-Chao Wen, Giray Enkavi, Jing Li and Emad Tajkhorshid [University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA])ABC Transporters (E P Coll and D P Tielema [University of Calgary, Canada])Sodium-coupled Secondary Transporters: Insights from Structure-based Computations (Elia Zomot, Ahmet Bakan, Indira H Shrivastava, Jason DeChancie, Timothy R Lezon and Ivet Bahar [University of Pittsburgh, USA])Voltage-Gated Ion Channels: The Machines Responsible for the Nerve Impulse (Benoît Roux and Francisco Bezanilla [The University of Chicago, USA])Voltage-Gated Channels and the Heart (Jonathan R Silva [Washington University School of Medicine, USA] and Yoram Rudy [Washington University in St Louis, USA]) Readership: Biochemists, students and researchers in biological sciences. Keywords:Proteins;Macromolecules;Theory;Models;ComputationsKey Features:There is no equivalent book on the market that introduces these systems to undergraduate students

This eBook presents illustrative examples of genetic chaperonopathies affecting primarily nerves and muscles and discusses molecular mechanisms and treatment targeting chaperones, i.e., chaperonotherapy.

Sixteen topics from the results of the research project "Molecular Mechanisms for Responses of the Photosynthetic Apparatus to the Environment," are documented in this excellent and timely work. Photosynthesis research has a long history in Japan, and many Japanese laboratories working in this field have been very active and productive. Based on the foundation established by these laboratories, the research reflected in this book focuses on elucidating the interactions between photosynthesis and the environment, with special emphasis on the molecular aspects of these interactions. The major purpose of the research was to identify specific genes required for (a) repair of the organisms from stress-induced damage to the photosynthetic machinery and (b) acclimation of photosynthetic processes to specific changes in environmental conditions. Once specific genes were identified, the effects of expression (and overexpression) of these genes in transgenic plants on acclimation processes were analyzed. Through the analysis of transgenic plants and cyanobacteria, the volume clarifies a number of molecular mechanisms by which plants acclimate to environmental variations, and the factors that govern recovery from stress-induced damage, especially with respect to the photosynthetic apparatus. A treatize on stress physiology and photosynthesis, the book also indicates the agricultural usefulness of transgenic plants and microalgae which are produced to study the molecular mechanisms of the tolerance of plants to changes in their environment.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of modern computer-based techniques for analyzing the structure, properties and dynamics of biomolecules and biomolecular processes. It is organized in four main parts; the first one deals with methodology of molecular simulations; the second one with applications of molecular simulations; the third one introduces bioinformatics methods and the use of experimental information in molecular simulations; the last part reports on selected applications of molecular quantum mechanics. This second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to include the latest progresses made in the respective field of research.

Praise for the prior edition "The author has done a magnificent job... this book is highly recommended for introducing biophysics to the motivated and curious undergraduate student." ―Contemporary Physics "a terrific text ... will enable students to understand the significance of biological parameters through quantitative examples―a modern way of learning biophysics." ―American Journal of Physics "A superb pedagogical textbook... Full-color illustrations aid students in their understanding" ―Midwest Book Review This new edition provides a complete update to the most accessible yet thorough introduction to the physical and quantitative aspects of biological systems and processes involving macromolecules, subcellular structures, and whole cells. It includes two brand new chapters covering experimental techniques, especially atomic force microscopy, complementing the updated coverage of mathematical and computational tools. The authors have also incorporated additions to the multimedia component of video clips and animations, as well as interactive diagrams and graphs. Key Features: Illustrates biological examples with estimates and calculations of biophysical parameters. Features two brand-new chapters on experimental methods, a general overview and focused introduction to atomic force microscopy. Includes new coverage of important topics such as measures of DNA twist, images of nanoparticle assembly, and novel optical and electron nanoscopy. Provides a guide to investigating current expert biophysical research. Enhanced self-study problems and an updated glossary of terms.