This book explores a fascinating aspect of cell biology that is emerging as pivotal for a variety of signaling processes in cells throughout the body and is also a focus of abnormalities in various pathological conditions. Microdomains, also called lipid rafts are now recognized as playing fundamental roles in regulating a range of cellular processes from proliferation and differentation to signal transduction responses to a variety of stimull. In this book, experts in the field of lipid rafts and signal transduction provide detailed reviews of the current state of understanding of these membrane microdomains and their physiological and pathophysiological roles. Better understanding of the effects of dietary lipids on raft function may lead to novel ways to prevent and treat various diseases that involve abnormalities in lipid rafts.
