Hormonal Proteins and Peptides: Growth Factors, Volume XII focuses on the chemistry and biology of nerve growth factor (NGF), insulin-like growth factors/somatomedins/multiplication-stimulating activity (IGFs/SMs/MSA), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and skeletal growth factor (SGF). This book discusses the development of growth factors in cell proliferation, differentiation, and malignancy. Organized into eight chapters, this volume starts with an overview of the findings on the structural and biological properties of NGF. This text then discusses the identical amino acid sequences of IFG-I and SM-c and explains as well the similarities in the structure of IFG-II and MSA. Other chapters present a thorough discussion of human PDGF, with emphasis on the link between the PDGF and the simian sarcoma virus gene product. This book discusses as well the mechanism of action of the pituitary and brain FGF. The final chapter deals with the discovery, isolation, and characterization of the biological activities of epidermal growth factor (EGF). This book is a valuable resource for biochemists, endocrinologists, and physicians.
