J.M. Tager - Böcker

The book covers major advances made in cellular bioenergetics, a central topic in biological and medical research. The chapters, contributed by authors representing major groups working in the field, extend from the latest advancements in X-ray crystallographic analysis of the atomic structure of energy transfer membrane protiens and analysis of their mechanism of action, to perspectives on the implication of their genetic and phenotypic defects in human diseases. The book, intended for researchers, clinicians and students aims at providing an up-to-date appraisal of this rapidly developing biomedical field. The book consists of thirty-one chapters contributed by leading experts in the field of cellular bioenergetics. Three sections cover the X-ray crystallographic analysis, mutational analysis and mechanism of action of mitochondrial and prokaryotic respiratory enzymes, ATP sythase and mitochondrial carriers. One section deals with genetics and biogenesis of mitochondria. The fourth section covers genetic and phenotypic defects in mitochondrial energy trandfer proteins associated with inborn and/or degenerative human diseases and aging.

Rapid progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of cell growth and oncogenesis during the past decade. This book comprises recent results on the regulation of cell growth in normal and neoplastic tissues by growth factors including hormones, and by the activation and inactivation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, respectively. Special attention has been given to the presentation of the frequently neglected close correlation between changes in signal transduction and metabolism pathways during oncogenesis.

This book consists of a series of reviews on selected topics within the rapidly and vastly expanding field of membrane biology. Its aim is to highlight the most significant and important advances that have been made in recent years in understanding the structure, dynamics, and functions of cell membranes. The progress that is being made in research in this field is due to the application of integrated experimental ap- proaches, utilizing sophisticated and novel techniques in molecular biology, cell biology, biophysics and biochemistry. Due to the advances made, many problems have been or are being solved at the molecular level. With the help of an Editorial Advisory Board consisting of Jean-Pierre Changeux (Paris), Paolo Comoglio (Torino), Rainer Jaenicke (Regens- burg), Sten Orrenius (Stockholm), Lorenzo Pinna (Padova), Konrad Sandhoff (Bonn), and Gottfried Schatz (Basel), we have selected a number of topics in areas in which progress has been particularly rapid, and have invited internationally acknowledged experts in the field to review these topics.The areas covered in this monograph are: 1) Signal transduction; 2) Membrane traffic: Proteins and lipids; 3) Bioenergetics: Energy transfer and membrane transport; 4) Cellular ion homeostasis; 5) Growth factors and adhesion molecules; 6) Structural analysis of mem- brane proteins; and 7) Membranes and disease.