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This book covers structure, function, and important roles of the SH domains, structure-function relationships, the versatile nature of their action, mechanisms of aggregation, specificity of interactions, impact of mutations on protein functional dysregulation, and cell signaling. Their involvement in various cellular processes such as migration, invasiveness, actin reorganization, shaping spines, determination of the morphology assembly of fibrils, and mechanotransduction makes these molecules attractive drug targets. Substrates, inhibitors and activators of PTKs present a wide variety of therapeutic agents in the context of delivering treatments for numerous pathologies. The new emerging field of stem cell therapies and design of biomaterials for treatments relies on the directed regulation of stem cell growth, differentiation and morphology, as well as the production of biomimetic scaffolds that respond to programmed signals. Advances in deciphering the mechanisms of action of these important molecules will lead to the implementation and success of their vital applications.

JAK tyrosine kinases and STAT transcription factors constitute a signaling pathway, which is activated by cytokines. By activating gene transcription it regulates essential biological responses to environmental cues. The Jak-Stat pathway is involved in the regulation of cell development, differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Improper function may contribute to hematopoietic malignancies and cancer. This book provides comprehensive insights into the latest basic and clinical developments in the field. The first part reviews recent findings and new technologies pertaining to basics of Jak-Stat function. The second part describes the evolution of Jak-Stat signaling and the role of the pathway in invertebrate organisms. The third part focuses on Jak-Stat signaling in hematopoietic cells under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Finally, chapters in the fourth section describe the relationship of Jak-Stat signaling to various states of disease, particularly infection, leukemias and solid cancers. The book is intended for all scientists in molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology dealing with biomedical issues.

In this second of two new volumes covering mitochondria, methods developed to assess the number and function of nuclear-encoded proteins in the mitochondrion are presented. Chapters focus on the regulation of mitochondrial function and mitochondrial diseases, with a section emphasizing the mitochondrial defects associated with type 2 diabetes. The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for 40 years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. With more than 450 volumes published, each volume presents material that is relevant in today's labs, truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences. - New methods focusing on the examination of normal and abnormal mitochondrial function are presented in an easy-to-follow format by the researchers who developed them - Along with a companion volume covering topics including mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes and reactive oxygen species, provides a comprehensive overview of modern techniques in the study of mitochondrial malfunction - Provides a'one-stop shop'for tried and tested essential techniques, eliminating the need to wade through untested or unreliable methods

Since the publication of Protein Kinases in 1994 many novel protein kinases have been discovered, but perhaps more importantly there have been dramatic advances in our understanding of the cellular functions of this remarkably diverse class of proteins. Protein Kinase Functions is not just an update of the previous edition but provides a new focus on the context and function of protein kinases, thus reflecting the recent advances in kinase biology. Chapters on genetic approaches to protein kinase functions, the MAP kinase pathway, and cyclin-dependent kinases have been completely updated and new topics covered in depth are: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signalling, JAK-STAT signalling, suppression of tyrosine kinases by the SOCS family proteins, the TGFß superfamily, and the involvement of protein kinases in response to DNA damage. Throughout, emphasis is placed not on individual kinases, but on the functional aspects of the whole system and the relationship between processes and molecules. It is the aim of Protein Kinase Functions to enable the reader to assimilate, compare, and integrate the molecular machinery used by cells to co-ordinate and respond to their environments.