The Comparative Physiology Of Regulatory Peptides

Strictly speaking, the term regulatory peptides may include any peptide which has a regulatory function in any organism. In recent years, how ever, the term has come to mean those originally classified as brain-gut peptides. The peptides initially defined as those belonging to the brain gut axis had a dual location in neurones of the brain and endocrine cells of the gut. We now include a number of neuropeptides found in the autonomic nervous system of the gut, the cardiovascular system and other systems. To many scientists comparative physiology means comparison of the mechanisms of certain functions in the rat, the guinea-pig, the cat and maybe some other mammal. If the philosophy is that man is the centre of the universe and other mammals can be used as 'models' of man, this may well be the most useful way to study the functions of the human being, without actually chopping somebody up. However, with a some what wider perspective on life, it is easy to see the importance of a full understanding of the function of all living organisms, in its own right as well as a link in the evolution towards individuals able to survive and reproduce in very different environments. The importance of com parative studies in all living organisms cannot be emphasized too much. It has been the ambition with this book to treat all animals as equally important.

This Research Topic features recent developments in the field of regulatory peptide physiology and peptide-based therapeutics.

In the last two decades, our knowledge on regulatory peptides and their cognate receptors, most of which are members of the seven transmembrane receptor families, has increased enormously. Regulatory peptides are small proteins which, besides their hormonal functions in regulating cellular metabolism in various tissues, may also act as neurotransmitters, and thus they often carry the prefix "neuro." Many of the cognate receptors involved in transducing the peptidergic signal across the cell membrane via a family of G proteins exist in multiple forms, the number of which frequently exceeds that of the corresponding peptide ligands. In this book, various peptide-receptor systems are discussed, e.g. CRF, somatostatin, TRH, opioid peptides, vasopressin, and oxytocin. It also discusses new strategies such as "reverse physiology" to uncover new peptides and orphan receptors.

Comparative Physiology and Evolution of the Autonomic Nervous System, the fourth volume in the Autonomic Nervous System series, is an up-to-date account of the comparative physiology and functional anatomy of the autonomic nervous system, with an emphasis on non-mammalian vertebrates. The book starts with an overview of the field and then discusses both 'classical' (adrenergic and cholinergic) non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic (NANC) types of neurotransmission. The account is then further developed by an examination of the autonomic nervous control of specific systems and organs. Readership: Researchers, working professionals, undergraduates and graduates working in neurology, cardiology, internal medicine, clinical pharmacology, and hypertension.

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The definitive guide to peptidomics- a hands-on lab reference The first truly comprehensive book about peptidomics for protein and peptide analysis, this reference provides a detailed description of the hows and whys of peptidomics and how the techniques have evolved. With chapters contributed by leading experts, it covers naturally occurring peptides, peptidomics methods and new developments, and the peptidomics approach to biomarker discovery. Explaining both the principles and the applications, Peptidomics: Methods and Applications: * Features examples of applications in diverse fields, including pharmaceutical science, toxicity biomarkers, and neuroscience * Details the successful peptidomic analyses of biological material ranging from plants to mammals * Describes a cross section of analytical techniques, including traditional methodologies, emerging trends, and new techniques for high throughput approaches An enlightening reference for experienced professionals, this book is sufficiently detailed to serve as a step-by-step guide for beginning researchers and an excellent resource for students taking biotechnology and proteomics courses. It is an invaluable reference for protein chemists and biochemists, professionals and researchers in drug and biopharmaceutical development, analytical and bioanalytical chemists, toxicologists, and others.