Fritz Eckstein - Böcker

The discovery that RNA could act as a macromolecular catalyst in the cell, signified a paradigm shift in molecular biology. Ribozymes and RNA Catalysis takes the reader through the origins of catalysis in RNA and necessarily includes significant discussion of structure and folding. The main focus of the book concerns chemical mechanism with extensive comment on how, despite the importance of RNA catalysis in the cell, its origins are still poorly understood and often controversial. The reader is given an outline of the important role of RNA catalysis in many aspects of cell function, including RNA processing and translation. There has been a significant coming together in the field of RNA in recent years and this book offers a compelling review of the whole field to date. Written by leading experts in their field, who in turn review the structural and mechanistic data for all known ribozymes this book is well suited for undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in catalytic chemistry as well as those in related fields who require a unique overview of the subject.

In recent years, unprecedented advances in many aspects of the molecular biology of nucleic acids have been witnessed. The area of RNA chemistry has undergone some kind of boom, with a huge interest in RNA-mediated catalysis. At the same time, our structural understanding of DNA-protein interactions has increased enormously, and the related area of RNA-protein interactions is beginning to gather pace. This softcover edition from the "Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology" series, is devoted to the structure and mechanism of ribozymes, and their potential exploitation. The subject has both important evolutionary implications and potential practical application in the development of therapeutic agents for diseases such as AIDS.

DNA is the central repository of genetic information in the cell, yet it is under constant attack by chemical mutagens, radiation and other processes. Cells therefore put a great deal of resources into repairing any damage to this precious store. Mechanisms of DNA repair vary greatly in their level of complexity, from specific reversal mechanisms that involve a single protein, to sequential pathways that require many enzymes. But at the heart of all these mechanisms lie proteins that recognize damage to DNA, raising important questions about how damaged DNA may be distinguished. These recognition processes are now finally yielding their secrets to structural analysis. This volume focuses on DNA repair, with an emphasis on structural data where available.

Mechanisms of Transcription presents a unique perspective on the fundamental processes of transcription. A collection of distinguished authors draws together the underlying mechanisms involved in the process of transcription. This includes RNA polymerase function and its interaction with promoter sequences, and the structures of the various components on the transcriptional machinery. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems, NMR and crystallographic structures of a number of important eukaryotic transcription factors are discussed, as well as the role of chromatin structure.

Molecular biology is one of the most rapidly growingdeveloping and at the same time most exciting disciplines.The key to molecular biology lies in the understanding ofnucleic acids - their structure, function, and interactionwith proteins. Nucleic Acids in Molecular Biology keepsscientists informed of the explosively growing informationand complies with the great interest in this field byoffering a continued high standard of review.

Molecular biology is one of the most rapidly growing develo-ping and at thesame time most exciting disciplines. The keyto molecular biology lies in the understanding of nucleic a-cids - their structure, function, and interaction with pro-teins. Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology keeps scientistsinformed of the explosively growing information and complieswith with the great interest in this field by offering acontinued high standard of review. A substantial part ofthis volume has been devoted to the analysis of differentaspects of nucleic acid-protein-interactions including RNA-protein-interaction.

Molecular biology is one of the most rapidly developing and at the same time most exciting disciplines. The key to molecular biology lies in the understanding of nucleic acids - their structure, function, and interaction with proteins.Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology keeps scientists informed of the explosively growing information and complies with the great interest in this field by offering a continued high standard of review. A substantial part of this volume has been devoted to the analysis of different aspects of nucleic acid-protein-interactions including RNA-protein-interaction.

Molecular biology is one of the most rapidly developing and at the same time most exciting disciplines. The key to molecular biology lies in the understanding of nucleic acids - their structure, function, and interaction with proteins.Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology keeps scientists informed of the explosively growing information and complies with the great interest in this field by offering a continued high standard of review. A substantial part of this volume has been devoted to the analysis of different aspects of nucleic acid-protein-interactions including RNA-protein-interaction.

Molecular biology has always been a discipline of rapid development. Despite this, we are presently experiencing a period of unprecedented proliferation of information in nucleic acid studies and molecular biology. These areas are intimately interwoven, so that each influences the other to their mutual benefit. The rapid growth in information leads to ever-increasing specialization, so that it becomes increasingly difficult for a scientist to keep abreast of developments in all the various aspects of the field, although an up-to-date knowledge of the field as a whole is highly desirable. With this background in mind we present the series Nucleic Acids and Molecular Biology. It comprises focused review articles by active researchers who report on the newest developments in their areas of particular interest.

A wide range of topics are covered, including articles on nucleic acid structure, through their interactions with proteins to the control of gene expression. A number of authors address the subject of RNA, including the difficult but important subject of its chemical synthesis, the complexities of its structures and the mechanisms of transcript splicing. The probing of DNA structure is reviewed in papers on the application of hydroxyl radical and 1,10 phenanthroline copper cleavages. A number of important DNA-protein interactions are discussed, including DNA polymerase, the tryptophan and deoR repressors, and the resolvase enzymes which cleave Holliday junctions in recombination. Gene transcription is also covered, from the points of view of DNA methylation, mammalian ribosomal and avian lysozyme genes, and the control of transcription in the proto-oncogene c-fos. Finally, the plant kingdom has not been forgotten with articles on development and transposition in plants.