Graeme Milligan – författare

Cellular trans-membrane signalling mechanisms are amongst the most highly studied processes in the biological sciences. G-proteins provide transduction components to allow communication between receptors for hormones and neurotransmitters and their effector systems which include enzymes involved in the generation of intracellular secondary messengers and a variety of ion channels. "Signal Transduction: A Practical Approach" details the experimental approaches which are used to define the contacts between receptors and G-proteins and between these G-proteins and their effector systems. While much emphasis in the cellular signalling field remains on the measurement of adenylyl cyclase and of phosphoinositidase C activities, it is now clear that activation of G-protein linked to receptors can also cause the regulation of phospholipases of the D and A2 classes. Thus, assays used to measure the activities of these enzyme systems are detailed in this book. The use of mutagenesis to define functional domains of G-proteins themselves has undergone considerable progress recently and examples of this approach are also provided.This volume is designed to provide a useful guide to the newcomer to the subject, as well as allowing workers already in the field to expand the range of approaches in use in their laboratories.

Provides a comprehensive overview of recent discoveries and current understandings of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Recent advances include the first mammalian non-rhodopsin GPCR structures and reconstitution of purified GPCRs into membrane discs for defined studies, novel signaling features including oligomerization, and advances in understanding the complex ligand pharmacology and physiology of GPCRs, in new assay technologies and drug targeting. The authors take time to detail the importance of the pathophysiological function and drug targeting of GPCRs, specifically β-adrenoceptors in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, metabotropic glutamate receptors in CNS disorders, S1P receptors in the immune system, and Wnt/Frizzled receptors in osteoporosis. This book will be invaluable to researchers and graduate students in academia and industry who are interested in the GPCR field.

This book highlights the important role free fatty acids (FFA) play as potential drug targets. While FFA have long been considered byproducts of cell metabolism, they are now recognized as ligands that regulate cell and tissue function via G-protein-coupled receptors. At least three receptors have been identified for which FFA appear to be the endogenous ligands.