Proteases in Biology and Disease – serie

Proteases in Tissue Remodelling of Lung and Heart is unique for its comprehensive presentation of protease function in lung and heart under both physiological conditions and major diseases manifesting in these two organs. The individual chapters have been written by leaders in the field who paid much attention to outline in great detail the role of proteases in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Available animal models (of disease, transgenic, or knock-out) are extensively referred to and experimental data obtained thereby are discussed in the context of patient-derived data.Proteases in Tissue Remodelling of Lung and Heart: *is devoted to proteases in lung and heart specifically and extensively, *covers major diseases of the lung and heart, *extensively introduces individual proteases (or families thereof), *presents up-to-date patient-derived and experimental data, *covers most aspects of protease function in disease.

"Aminopeptidases in Biology and Disease" provides a comprehensive review of the emerging role of aminopeptidases in a range of biological processes and disease situations. Processes as diverse as angiogenesis, antigen presentation, neuropeptide and hormone processing, pregnancy and reproduction, protein turnover, memory, inflammation, tumour growth, cancer and metastasis, blood pressure and hypertension all critically involve one or more aminopeptidases. The individual chapters have been written by experts in the field who have provided detailed accounts of the central roles played by various aminopeptidases in biology and disease.

In all organs of the body, proteases have critical roles to play both in normal development and functioning and in disease states. The brain is no exception to this, with proteases having emerging roles in synaptic plasticity, memory, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and prion diseases, ischemia and traumatic brain injury, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and tumor progression. Proteases in the Brain brings together a wide range of topics under this central theme and highlights the large number of proteases involved in these normal and disease processes.Proteases in the Brain reviews the role and regulation of proteases in, Alzheimer’s disease, brain ischemia and traumatic brain injury, human glioma, inflammatory and infectious diseases of the central nervous system, metabolism of the prion protein, modulating synaptic activity, multiple sclerosis, neuronal plasticity and memory consolidation, Parkinson’s disease, processing, conversion and inactivation of neuropeptides.Proteases in the Brain is a timely and useful source of information both for those well-versed in the role of proteases in the brain, and for those who are beginning to realize the important role of this family of enzymes in brain function and dysfunction.

The ADAM Family of Proteases provides the first comprehensive review of the roles of ADAMs and the related ADAMTS proteases in biology and disease. Although a few members of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family have been known for some time, it is only in recent years through advances in genome sequencing that the large size of this family of zinc metalloproteases has become apparent. These proteins have multiple domains including a protease domain and a disintegrin domain. A branch of the family, called ADAMTS, also have thrombospondin-like motifs. The role of ADAMs and ADAMTS members in a diversity of biological processes is gradually coming to light. For example, some ADAMs have critical roles in the ectodomain shedding of membrane proteins including tumour necrosis factor-a, the cell signalling molecule Notch and the Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein. Other ADAM and ADAMTS family members have key roles to play in sperm function and fertility, collagen processing, development, cardiac hypertrophy and arthritis.

This, the fifth volume in the Proteases in Biology and Disease series, is devoted to Proteases in Gastrointestinal Tissues. Of course, proteases play an important role in the digestion and utilization of ingested proteins, but besides that they elicit a wide range of physiological and pathological effects. Proteases have been recognized as essential regulators, acting both locally and systemically, of normal development, growth and functioning. Dysregulation of protease expression and/or enzymatic activity is often associated with the onset or progression of disease and, thus, proteases represent interesting targets for the pharmacological therapy of e. g. cancer, chronic inflammation, graft rejection, fibrosis, diabetes, vascular disease, and viral or bacterial infections. In addition, changes in the localization, abundance or activity of proteases may serve as informative diagnostic or prognostic markers. This volume focuses on stomach, gut, pancreas, and liver and highlights the role of proteases in normal physiology and disease processes involving these tissues. The first chapter by Nigel W. Bunnett and Graeme S. Cottrell reviews the current knowledge about the protease-activated receptors (PARs) in gastrointestinal tissues. Starting with the mechanisms of activation, signal transduction, and regulation of PAR, their role in controlling gastrointestinal functions and the possible involvement in gastrointestinal diseases are summarized. In Chapter 2, Nikhil I. Khushalani and Nithya Ramnath review the role of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and their natural inhibitors, TIMPs, in different types of gastric cancer.

In recent years a growing number of proteases have been identified that catalyse peptide bond hydrolysis in the plane of the cellular membrane. These so-called ‘intramembrane-cleaving proteases’ (I-CLiPs) are involved in a diverse range of cellular processes, including cell regulation, signalling, quorum sensing, protein processing, lipid metabolism and the unfolded protein response. Some I-CLiPs play critical roles in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and viral infection. The authors, who are all world leaders in this exciting field of cell biology, provide an overview of the various proteases including recent data derived from the structural determination of some of the I-CliPs, and discuss the various roles that these proteases play in biology and disease. The aim of this book is to provide an update on this emerging group of unusual but important proteases for both the specialist and those with a broader interest in proteases. Amongst the target audience will be protease researchers, enzymologists, those working in academia and the pharmaceutical industry on biological processes and diseases involving I-CLiPs.

The primary aim of this book is to provide a topical and timely forum for the critical appraisal of an area of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) research that is expanding rapidly. In this respect, a collection of thirteen chapters from distinguished and world-class experts in the field has been presented on the contemporary research of the RAS and their implications in human disease. This book is an indispensable tool tailor-made for specialists, non-specialists and the novice.

In all organs of the body, proteases have critical roles to play both in normal development and functioning and in disease states. The brain is no exception to this, with proteases having emerging roles in synaptic plasticity, memory, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and prion diseases, ischemia and traumatic brain injury, inflammatory and infectious diseases, and tumor progression. Proteases in the Brain brings together a wide range of topics under this central theme and highlights the large number of proteases involved in these normal and disease processes.Proteases in the Brain reviews the role and regulation of proteases in, Alzheimer’s disease, brain ischemia and traumatic brain injury, human glioma, inflammatory and infectious diseases of the central nervous system, metabolism of the prion protein, modulating synaptic activity, multiple sclerosis, neuronal plasticity and memory consolidation, Parkinson’s disease, processing, conversion and inactivation of neuropeptides.Proteases in the Brain is a timely and useful source of information both for those well-versed in the role of proteases in the brain, and for those who are beginning to realize the important role of this family of enzymes in brain function and dysfunction.

The ADAM Family of Proteases provides the first comprehensive review of the roles of ADAMs and the related ADAMTS proteases in biology and disease. Although a few members of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) family have been known for some time, it is only in recent years through advances in genome sequencing that the large size of this family of zinc metalloproteases has become apparent. These proteins have multiple domains including a protease domain and a disintegrin domain. A branch of the family, called ADAMTS, also have thrombospondin-like motifs. The role of ADAMs and ADAMTS members in a diversity of biological processes is gradually coming to light. For example, some ADAMs have critical roles in the ectodomain shedding of membrane proteins including tumour necrosis factor-a, the cell signalling molecule Notch and the Alzheimer’s amyloid precursor protein. Other ADAM and ADAMTS family members have key roles to play in sperm function and fertility, collagen processing, development, cardiac hypertrophy and arthritis.

Aminopeptidases in Biology and Disease provides a comprehensive review of the emerging role of aminopeptidases in a range of biological processes and disease situations. Processes as diverse as angiogenesis, antigen presentation, neuropeptide and hormone processing, pregnancy and reproduction, protein turnover, memory, inflammation, tumour growth, cancer and metastasis, blood pressure and hypertension all critically involve one or more aminopeptidases. The individual chapters have been written by experts in the field who have provided detailed accounts of the central roles played by various aminopeptidases in biology and disease.

Proteases in Tissue Remodelling of Lung and Heart is unique for its comprehensive presentation of protease function in lung and heart under both physiological conditions and major diseases manifesting in these two organs. The individual chapters have been written by leaders in the field who paid much attention to outline in great detail the role of proteases in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Available animal models (of disease, transgenic, or knock-out) are extensively referred to and experimental data obtained thereby are discussed in the context of patient-derived data.Proteases in Tissue Remodelling of Lung and Heart: *is devoted to proteases in lung and heart specifically and extensively, *covers major diseases of the lung and heart, *extensively introduces individual proteases (or families thereof), *presents up-to-date patient-derived and experimental data, *covers most aspects of protease function in disease.

The 8th volume in the Proteases in Biology and Disease series focuses on the role of proteases in virus function and their potential as anti-viral targets. Viral infections are still difficult to threat and some remained life-threatening diseases in spite of antiviral drug research over decades. Proteases are still regarded as an Achilles’ heel of the pathogens and, thus, protease inhibitors may help to handle the known and the emerging viral threads. The book discusses viral proteases of the most important pathogenic viruses, responsible for severe diseases: AIDS, SARS, Hepatitis, Cytomegalovirus, T-cell lymphotropic virus, Picornavirus. This book focuses specifically on the viral proteases, crucial prerequisites for viral entry into cells and viral replication. Viral proteases represent an important pharmaceutical target. The current stage of protease inhibitor development and therapy are summarised and discussed by experts in the field. This volume represents a timely and valuable continuation of the Proteases in Biology and Disease series. The reader will learn the potential for proteases as targets for effective anti-virals. This book will be a valuable source of information on viral proteases and provoke further research in this important field.

This, the fifth volume in the Proteases in Biology and Disease series, is devoted to Proteases in Gastrointestinal Tissues. Of course, proteases play an important role in the digestion and utilization of ingested proteins, but besides that they elicit a wide range of physiological and pathological effects. Proteases have been recognized as essential regulators, acting both locally and systemically, of normal development, growth and functioning. Dysregulation of protease expression and/or enzymatic activity is often associated with the onset or progression of disease and, thus, proteases represent interesting targets for the pharmacological therapy of e. g. cancer, chronic inflammation, graft rejection, fibrosis, diabetes, vascular disease, and viral or bacterial infections. In addition, changes in the localization, abundance or activity of proteases may serve as informative diagnostic or prognostic markers. This volume focuses on stomach, gut, pancreas, and liver and highlights the role of proteases in normal physiology and disease processes involving these tissues. The first chapter by Nigel W. Bunnett and Graeme S. Cottrell reviews the current knowledge about the protease-activated receptors (PARs) in gastrointestinal tissues. Starting with the mechanisms of activation, signal transduction, and regulation of PAR, their role in controlling gastrointestinal functions and the possible involvement in gastrointestinal diseases are summarized. In Chapter 2, Nikhil I. Khushalani and Nithya Ramnath review the role of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and their natural inhibitors, TIMPs, in different types of gastric cancer.

In recent years a growing number of proteases have been identified that catalyse peptide bond hydrolysis in the plane of the cellular membrane. These so-called ‘intramembrane-cleaving proteases’ (I-CLiPs) are involved in a diverse range of cellular processes, including cell regulation, signalling, quorum sensing, protein processing, lipid metabolism and the unfolded protein response. Some I-CLiPs play critical roles in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and viral infection. The authors, who are all world leaders in this exciting field of cell biology, provide an overview of the various proteases including recent data derived from the structural determination of some of the I-CliPs, and discuss the various roles that these proteases play in biology and disease. The aim of this book is to provide an update on this emerging group of unusual but important proteases for both the specialist and those with a broader interest in proteases. Amongst the target audience will be protease researchers, enzymologists, those working in academia and the pharmaceutical industry on biological processes and diseases involving I-CLiPs.

The primary aim of this book is to provide a topical and timely forum for the critical appraisal of an area of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) research that is expanding rapidly. In this respect, a collection of thirteen chapters from distinguished and world-class experts in the field has been presented on the contemporary research of the RAS and their implications in human disease. This book is an indispensable tool tailor-made for specialists, non-specialists and the novice.