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Several years ago, Thomas Steitz agreed to contribute a volume to the'World Scientific Series in Structural Biology'that would deal with the contributions he and his coworkers have made to structural biology during his remarkable career. Sadly, Tom died in the fall of 2018 before he had had time to do more than produce an outline for this book, and a list of the reprints he wanted it to contain.Fortunately, Tom's colleagues and coworkers responded enthusiastically when they were informed later that fall that if they were willing to help out, a volume would be published to commemorate his career. It fell to Anders Liljas, Peggy Eatherton, Tom's longtime administrative assistant, and Peter Moore, a close colleague, to oversee their efforts. Thomas Steitz is best known for the work he and his coworkers did to elucidate the biochemical basis of gene expression. The structures of a large number of the macromolecules involved in transcription and translation emerged from his laboratory over the course of his career. This book includes reprints of the most important papers he had published, grouped according to the structures they relate to, and commentaries written by the scientists who collaborated with him to solve each of them. It thus summarizes the achievements of one of the most distinguished biochemists of the second half of the 20th century.

This book represents the results of 45 years of research on a wide range of topics, including atomic physics, single-molecule enzymology, whole-cell metabolism, physiology, pharmacology, linguistics, semiotics, and cosmology. It describes the first comprehensive molecular theory of the genotype-phenotype coupling based on two key theoretical concepts: (i) the conformon, the conformational wave packet in biopolymers carrying both the free energy and genetic information; and (ii) the intracellular dissipative structures, the chemical concentration waves inside the cell that serve as the immediate drivers of all cell functions. Conformons provide the driving forces for all molecular machines in the cell, and intracellular dissipative structures coordinate intra- and intercellular processes such as gene expression and cell-cell communications.One of the predictions made by the cell language theory (CLT) is that there are two forms of genetic information — the Watson-Crick genes transmitting information in time (identified with DNA), and the Prigoginian genes transmitting information in space (identified with RNA expression profiles). The former is analogous to sheet music or written language and the latter is akin to audio music or spoken language, both being coupled by conformons acting as the analog of the pianist. The new theory of DNA structure and function constructed on the basis of CLT can rationally account for most of the puzzling findings recently unearthed by the ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) project.The Cell Language Theory has important applications in biomedical sciences including drug discovery research and personalized medicine on the one hand and in the mind-body research and consciousness studies on the other.

This book combines the most recent knowledge on the maternal, i.e. oocyte/egg-specific, molecules and processes. The volume covers the most recent advances in a plethora of subjects such as: maternal transfer of immunity, localized RNAs functions and mechanisms of RNA localization, transcriptional repression of maternal messages, maternal inheritance and maternal role of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, chromatin remodeling and epigenetic modifications, maternal function of nucleosomes, maternal mitochondria and energy supply, role of bacterial symbionts and their maternal transmission, acquisition of oocyte polarity and evolution of maternal effect genes, germ plasm and oosome origin and functions, mechanisms of oocyte activation and soma germ cells communication. Currently, no other book on the market combines such a comprehensive list of subjects in one volume. Moreover, the information provided is a cross-section through oocytes from various invertebrate and vertebrate species, which is another unique feature of this book. The readers, therefore, get a completely new and invaluable perspective on all covered subjects.

This book offers an essential guide to RNA activation (RNAa), an emerging and fascinating new field. RNAa is a small RNA-guided and Argonaute-dependent gene regulation phenomenon in which promoter-targeted short double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) induce target gene expression at the transcriptional level. It occurs primarily in the nucleus and can be mediated by artificially designed short duplex RNAs that target regulatory sequences (e.g., promoters, genes'3'termini and enhancers) and naturally occurring small RNAs (e.g., miRNAs and C. elegans 22G-RNAs). With contributions from internationally respected RNA experts, this book provides comprehensive coverage of different RNAa mechanisms and a timely update on recent advances in RNAa research, with a focus on developing RNAa-based therapeutics. Special chapters are also devoted to the topics of gene activation induced by antisense oligonucleotides and the CRISPR system. As the first book to cover RNAa, it will be of interest to a wide audience, from scientists in academia and the pharmaceutical industry to clinicians who wish to further explore the biology of RNAa and related phenomena, so as to harness their full potential for use in biotechnology and drug development.

This volume on nucleic acid nanotechnology offers authoritative, up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of nanotechnological studies and applications of nucleic acids. It provides reviews of various aspects of nucleic acid nanotechnology, each written by an internationally leading expert in the field, and presents state-of-the-art and recent advances in nucleic acid synthetic modifications, nanoscale design, manipulation and current and future applications in bioengineering, medicine, electronics, genetic analysis, chemistry, molecular biology, surface and material sciences. It examines how nucleic acid research is merging with nanotechnology, allowing the nanoscale properties of nucleic acid to be exploited in performing challenging nanotechnological tasks, from nanorobotics and nanosensing to nucleic acid computing. This book will above all benefit anyone who is interested in nanotechnological concepts of nucleic acid design and applications, and offers a valuable resource for teaching these concepts. It is essential reading for a broad audience of scientists both in academia and industry who wish to expand their expertise on the potential of nucleic acid functions and applications.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters.Epigenetics refers to DNA and chromatin modifications that play an important role in the regulation of various genomic functions. This important book reviews human and cellular data that underline paradoxical findings with respect to the contribution of heredity and environment to phenotype. The

Timing, racing, combating, struggling and targeting are some actions through which cellular fate could be reflected and evaluated. Interaction between cell territory and environment occur during pre-embryonic, fetal development, and post-natal periods. What the researchers observe as the outcome of telomeres behavior is only the peak of an ice mountain within a stormy ocean. Cellular life depends on programmed behavior of telomeres, capable to surprise the cells. Telomeres provide an introduction to the history of our cells which govern the quality of life and status of health. Telomeres as the cooperative territory are capable of stabilizing the chromosomal territory. The status of telomeres reflects the key information, announcing the real age of individuals, and may be a valuable marker for prognosis and predicting cancer. Telomere territory is characterized with a multi-disciplinary manner. Therefore, this book is aimed to offer a wide range of chapters, hoping to be useful for diverse audiences, including hematologists-oncologists, radiotherapists, surgeons, cancer researchers, and all the sectors who affect the macro- and micro- environmental domains. Finally, telomeres are sensitive, cooperative, and trustable targets. It is worth to state that ‘telomeres are messengers of NATURE', let's to know them as they are.

Epigenetics can potentially revolutionize our understanding of the structure and behavior of biological life on Earth. It explains why mapping an organism's genetic code is not enough to determine how it develops or acts and shows how nurture combines with nature to engineer biological diversity. Surveying the twenty-year history of the field while also highlighting its latest findings and innovations, this volume provides a readily understandable introduction to the foundations of epigenetics.Nessa Carey, a leading epigenetics researcher, connects the field's arguments to such diverse phenomena as how ants and queen bees control their colonies; why tortoiseshell cats are always female; why some plants need cold weather before they can flower; and how our bodies age and develop disease. Reaching beyond biology, epigenetics now informs work on drug addiction, the long-term effects of famine, and the physical and psychological consequences of childhood trauma. Carey concludes with a discussion of the future directions for this research and its ability to improve human health and well-being.

During the past few decades we have witnessed an era of remarkable growth in the field of molecular biology. In 1950 very little was known of the chemical constitution of biological systems, the manner in which information was trans­ mitted from one organism to another, or the extent to which the chemical basis of life is unified. The picture today is dramatically different. We have an almost bewildering variety of information detailing many different aspects of life at the molecular level. These great advances have brought with them some breath-taking insights into the molecular mechanisms used by nature for rep­ licating, distributing and modifying biological information. We have learned a great deal about the chemical and physical nature of the macromolecular nucleic acids and proteins, and the manner in which carbohydrates, lipids and smaller molecules work together to provide the molecular setting of living sys­ tems. It might be said that these few decades have replaced a near vacuum of information with a very large surplus. It is in the context of this flood of information that this series of monographs on molecular biology has been organized. The idea is to bring together in one place, between the covers of one book, a concise assessment of the state of the subject in a well-defined field. This will enable the reader to get a sense of historical perspective-what is known about the field today-and a description of the frontiers of research where our knowledge is increasing steadily.

Immediate-early genes are believed to be involved in the neuron's ability to con­ vert short-term synaptic stimulation into long-lasting responses and thus contribute to the adaptive alterations involved in neuronal plasticity. Cellular immediate-early genes share a close structural homology with some viral oncogenes. Recent advances in cellular biology have identified the activation and deactivation of immediate-early genes as molecular mechanisms to control regulated and deregulated growth, cellular differentiation and development. In this view immediate-early genes may function as third messengers in a stimulus­ transcription cascade transferring extracellular information into changes in target­ gene transcription, thereby changing the phenotype of neurons. Immediate-Early Genes in the Central Nervous System provides a comprehensive up-to-date overview of current methodology in the research of immediate-early genes and includes a wide range of neurobiological topics, such as regeneration, memory formation, epilepsia and nociception. The contributors to this book have been selected from among the leading experts in their field of research. T.R. TOLLE J. SCHADRACK W. ZIEGLGANSBERGER Contents Immediate-early genes -how immmediate and why early? G./. Evan............................................... Immediate-early gene activation as a window on mechanism in the nervous system S.P. Hunt, L.A. McNaughton, R. Jenkins, and W. Wisden.............. 18 of immediate-early genes during Differential expression synaptic plasticity, seizures and brain injury suggests specific functions for these molecules in brain neurons M. Dragunow.................................. 35..........

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are eukaryotic organelles that evolved from bacterial ancestors and harbor their own genomes. The gene products of these genomes work in concert with those of the nuclear genome to ensure proper organelle metabolism and biogenesis. This book explores the forces that have shaped the evolution of organelle genomes and the expression of the genes encoded by them. Some striking examples of trends in organelle evolution explored here are the reduction in genome size and gene coding content observed in most lineages, the complete loss of organelle DNA in certain lineages, and the unusual modes of gene expression that have emerged, such as the extensive and essential mRNA editing that occurs in plant mitochondria and chloroplasts. This book places particular emphasis on the current techniques used to study the evolution of organelle genomes and gene expression.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), endogenous noncoding regulatory mRNAs of - nucleotides, have rapidly emerged as the central players in gene expression regulation. Owing to their ever-increasing implications in the control of various biological and pathological processes, miRNAs have now been considered novel biomarkers of various human diseases including, cancer, viral disease, cardiov- cular disorders, metabolic disturbances, etc. Particular expression pro?les have been associated with particular pathological states. Expression pro?ling of miR- NAs have therefore become extremely important not only for fundamentalists but also for clinicians. However, the methodologies used for detecting protein-coding mRNAs cannot be directly applied to miRNAs because of their small size. Over the past years, researchers have made great efforts to developing techniques suitable for miRNA detection and quanti?cation; a wide spectrum of creative and inno- tive techniques (more than 30 different methods) have been invented and validated. It has come to the time now to summarize these methods and present them in an orderly manner for better understanding and utilization of these methods to miRNA research and applications. In particular, the development of methods for quantifying circulating miRNAs opens up a fascinating opportunity for realizing miRNA as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of human disease. A book on this subject may help boosting up the passion of researchers to further improve the existing techniques and develop more new methods to?t to new application needs. These considerations prompted us and urged us to undertake the work: writing a book focusing on miRNA expression detection methods.

The literature on recoding is scattered, so this superb book?lls a need by prov- ing up-to-date, comprehensive, authoritative reviews of the many kinds of recoding phenomena. Between 1961 and 1966 my colleagues and I deciphered the genetic code in Escherichia coli and showed that the genetic code is the same in E. coli, Xenopus laevis, and guinea pig tissues. These results showed that the code has been c- served during evolution and strongly suggested that the code appeared very early during biological evolution, that all forms of life on earth descended from a c- mon ancestor, and thus that all forms of life on this planet are related to one another. The problem of biological time was solved by encoding information in DNA and retrieving the information for each new generation, for it is easier to make a new organism than it is to repair an aging, malfunctioning one. Subsequently, small modi?cations of the standard genetic code were found in certain organisms and in mitochondria. Mitochondrial DNA only encodes about 10–13 proteins, so some modi?cations of the genetic code are tolerated that pr- ably would be lethal if applied to the thousands of kinds of proteins encoded by genomic DNA.

Long-Range Control of Gene Expression covers the current progress in understanding the mechanisms for genomic control of gene expression, which has grown considerably in the last few years as insight into genome organization and chromatin regulation has advanced. - Discusses the evolution of cis-regulatory sequences in drosophila - Includes information on genomic imprinting and imprinting defects in humans - Includes a chapter on epigenetic gene regulation in cancer

It is now becoming very clear that the development and progression of tumor towards the malignant (metastatic) phenotype depends tightly on the interaction between the tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells respond to stimuli generated within the tumor microenvironment for their growth advantage while the tumor cell themselves reshape and remodel the architecture and function of their extracellular matrices. The term tumor microenvironment is a wide umbrella consisting of stromal cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells and infiltration immune cells including T and B cells, macrophages, and other inflammatory cells (PMNs). These different components of the tumor microenvironment could have stimulatory and inhibitory effects on tumor progression by regulating the gene expression repertoire within the tumor cells on one hand and the stroma cells on the other. In this volume we have seven contributors who will discuss several different aspects on the cross talk within the tumor microenvironment components leading to the acquisition of the metastatic phenotype. It is our hope that these state-of-the-art studies will shed further light on our understanding of these complicated processes.

The study of Hox genes is crucial not only in exploring the enigma of homeosis but also in understanding normal development at the fundamental molecular level.'Hox Gene Expression'starts with the amazing discovery of the homeobox twenty-three years ago and follows the exciting path thereafter of a series of breakthroughs in Genetics, Development and Evolution. It deals with homeotic genes- their evolution, structure, normal and abnormal function. Researchers and graduate students in Biology and Medicine will benefit from this integrated overview of Hox gene activities.

The nuclear structure is not always stable but varies from hour to hour. Thus, it is important to capture dynamic changes of the structure and function from the viewpoint of molecular dynamics. Using the latest visualizing techniques in combination with biochemical and molecular biological methods, researchers from a broad range of fields of knowledge, including chromosomal structure, nuclear transfer, RNA, nuclear membrane, transcription, and nuclear domain structures, provide an overview of the nuclear structure and current issues in nuclear dynamics. The dynamics of nuclear structures described in this book furnish the basis for a comprehensive understanding of how the higher-order organization and function of the nucleus is established and how it correlates with the expression of a variety of vital activities such as cell proliferation and differentiation. The resulting volume creates an invaluable source of reference for researchers in the field.

For over fifty years the Methods in Enzymology series has been the critically acclaimed laboratory standard and one of the most respected publications in the field of biochemistry. The highly relevant material makes it an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life and related sciences. This volume features articles on the topic of oxygen biology and hypoxia.

Since the nineteenth century, when engineers were using nitroglycerin to blow up rockbeds, and doctors were prescribing it to relieve angina, scientists have been exploring the incredible and often baffling behavior of nitric oxide. In the 1980s, researchers discovered that nitric oxide had the capacity to regulate vascular tone through cyclic GMP,

Intermediate Filaments focuses on desmin and other intermediate filaments in disease and health. This new volume will serve as a resource for graduate students and researchers in the field.

Epigenetics refers to heritable patterns of gene expression which do not depend on alterations of genomic DNA sequence. This book provides a state-of-the-art account of a few selected hot spots by scientists at the edge in this extremely active field. It puts special emphasis on two main streams of research. One is the role of post-translational modifications of proteins, mostly histones, on chromatin structure and accessibility. The other one deals with parental genomic imprinting, a process which allows to express a few selected genes from only one of the parental allele while extinguishing the other.

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. In the early days of the Serial, the subjects of vitamins and hormones were quite distinct. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology, and enzyme mechanisms. Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines.•First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is AP's longest running serial•Each volume contains cutting edge reviews by leading contributors

This book combines the experience of 225 experts on 900 pages. Scientists worldwide are currently overwhelmed by the ever-increasing number and diversity of genome projects. This handbook is your guide through the jungle of new methods and techniques available to analyse gene expression - the first to provide such a broad view of the measurement of mRNA and protein expression in vitro, in situ and even in vivo. Despite this broad approach, detail is sufficient for you to grasp the principles behind each method. In each case, the authors weigh up the advantages and disadvantages, paying particular attention to the automated, high-throughput processing demanded by the biotech industry. Completely up to date, the book covers such ground-breaking methods such as DNA microarrays, serial analysis of gene expression, differential display, and identification of open reading frame expressed sequence tags. All the methods and necessary equipment are presented visually in more than 300 mainly colour illustrations to assist their step-by-step reproduction in your laboratory. Each chapter is rounded off with its own set of extensive references that provide access to detailed experimental protocols. In short, the bible of analysing gene expression.

In light of the increasing importance of these proteins and their ligands for our understanding of cellular growth, differentiation, and development, as well as of diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, cancer, and inflammation, a team of internationally renowned editors and authors have compiled here the very first comprehensive book on these topics. They describe fatty acid-activated transcription factors as well as membrane and soluble fatty acid transporters, covering such aspects as structure and function, lipid-protein interaction, delivery of ligands, and the roles of these proteins in gene expression pertaining to the homeostatic and diseased states of cells and organs. Incorporating recent findings, this is indispensable for basic scientists, health professionals in industry and clinics as well as postgraduate students. Contributors among others: N.A. Abumrad, J.E. Schaffer, G. Schmitz, N.J. Brunskill, J. Storch, U. Seedorf, S. Mandrup, C.N.A. Palmer, T. Perlmann, H.I. Nebb, J. Bar-Tana, H. Kondo, C. Wolfrum, C. Kerkhoff, S. Farmer, E.J. Murphy, J.F.C. Glatz, P. Besnard, J.M. Stewart, A. Meirhaeghe, J. Plutzky, W. Wahli, R.A. Roberts

Visualization of nucleic acids has become indispensable to studying cells, tissues, and organisms. Certain techniques even permit quantification of DNA and/or RNA distribution in tissues, but few current analytical books cover the numerous methods for DNA and RNA visualization. This book provides insight into several classic techniques, histologica

The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.

Recombinant DNA and Cell Proliferation focuses on the use of recombinant DNA technology in investigating the regulation of cell proliferation. Topics include gene transfer for assessing the role of defined DNA sequences in triggering DNA replication, nucleic acid hybridization probes for analyzing the regulation of specific genes during the cell cycle, and cloned DNAs for studying genes expressed with proliferation and differentiation. This book is organized into three sections encompassing 13 chapters and begins with a discussion on the expression of specific genes during the cell cycle. This text also deals with topics such as the use of cloned SV40 DNA fragments to examine signals for cell proliferation, expression of dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase genes in mammalian cells, and gene expression during the cell cycle of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The following chapters explore the expression of histone genes during the cell cycle in human cells; organization and expression of eukaryotic ribosomal protein genes; and expression of the alpha-fetoprotein gene during development, regeneration, and carcinogenesis. This book also introduces the reader to the role of the cell division cycle in induced differentiation, gene regulation in muscle cells, regulation of nonmuscle actin gene expression during early development, and sequences at ends of cellular DNA molecules in relation to telomere replication and function. An overview of the biochemical aspects of cell proliferation and the genes and gene products that are necessary and specific for cell proliferation concludes the book. This book will be of value both to advanced students and to research scientists.

Critically acclaimed for more than 25 years, the Methods in Cell Biology series provides an indispensable tool for the researcher. Each volume is carefully edited by experts to contain state-of-the-art reviews and step-by-step protocols. Techniques are described completely so that methods are made accessible to users. - Describes both well-established and novel recombinant vector systems for expression of proteins - Presents methods for efficient delivery of recombinant genes into differentiated cells, tissues, and whole animals - Covers high-level and inducible systems, plus assays for protein expression - Provides beginning and advanced investigators and students with the information they need to choose the optimal viral or plasmid system for their protein - Practical, benchtop-style presentation works in lab and in the classroom

Cell Biology, A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume 4: Gene Expression: Translation and the Behavior of Proteins discusses the translation of genetic information into proteins. It also explains the activities and behaviors of proteins, which is the final stage of gene expression. This book opens with a discussion of the components and mechanism of the translational machinery – their structures, biogenesis, and cellular levels. It then explains the protein synthesis, wherein each chapter focuses on one aspect of the detailed process. Other topics covered in this book are the structure and function of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein complexes and the proteolytic cleavage in the posttranslational processing of proteins. This text also covers the regulation of enzyme activity and the movement of material between nucleus and cytoplasm. The last three chapters are more in-depth discussions on protein synthesis, intracellular transport, regulation, and secretion. As with the other volumes of this book series, readers will definitely benefit from the vast information provided in this book regarding protein, its activities, behaviors, and synthesis.

Nuclear Structure and Gene Expression assimilates the contributions of genome organization and of the components of the nuclear matrix to the control of DNA and RNA synthesis. Nuclear domains which accommodate DNA replication and gene expression are considered in relation to short-term developmental and homeostatic requirements as well as to long-term commitments to phenotypic gene expression in differentiated cells. Consideration is given to the involvement of nuclear structure in gene localization as well as to the targeting and concentration of transcription factors. Aberrations in nuclear architecture associated with and potentially functionally related to pathologies are evaluated. Tumor cells are described from the perspective of the striking modifications in both the composition and organization of nuclear components. Nuclear Structure and Gene Expression presents concepts as well as experimental approaches, which define functionality of nuclear morphology.• Mechanisms of interaction between nuclear structure and genes• Gene expression regulation by elements of the nuclear matrix• How nuclear structure exerts a regulatory effect on other aspects of cell function/physiology