Rapid advances in the study of the molecular basis of mammalian cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis have made it possible to develop new screening systems for isolating from microbial metabolites specific inhibitors of mammalian cell functions. "Bioprobes" is the term used to describe these inhibitors, which are extremely useful agents in investigating the molecular and chemical regulation of eukaryotic cell function and apoptosis. Another area where bioprobes are playing an important role is research into immune cell function. This book is the first to present the groundbreaking applications of bioprobes as tools for biochemical research. A large appendix contains the chemical structure, origin, function, key references, and other essential data for more than 80 important bioprobes. The information for each bioprobe is shown in a two-page display, in an easy-to-use format for identifying specific bioprobes for investigation of cell function.
