CK2 is a protein serine/threonine kinase which is a highly conserved and ubiquitous protein kinase. It is localized in the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments, which accords with its multiple functional activities in the cell. Pertinent to this is also the recognition that a large number of putative substrates for this kinase have been identified in various compartments of the cell. New evidence from several laboratories has further reinforced the involvement of CK2 in signal transduction related to many cellular functions, thus underscoring the significance of its functional role in normal and abnormal cell growth and proliferation. This volume provides an overview of the state of knowledge concerning this intriguing protein kinase. It brings together contributions from leading investigators engaged in research in this field. Key developments during the past three years pertain to the elaboration of the crystal structure and definition of novel functions of the kinase, such as its role as an inhibitor of apoptosis. Additionally, the shuttling of the kinase to various compartments in response to physiological and stress stimuli appears to be a key feature of the functional regulation of its activity in the cell.

It is now generally recognized that protein kinase signaling is involved in virtually every aspect of cell function, including growth and proliferation. The field of protein phosphorylation, including the enzymes involved in this post-translational modification, continues to advance at a fascinating pace. Since the first international meeting on this topic, held in Heidelberg in 1994, several new avenues of CK2 research have emerged despite persistent deficiencies in our understanding of the regulation of its activity. Among the significant new directions are studies related to the structure of the enzyme, especially its crystal structure, as well as an interesting aspect of CK2 function that involves its subunits as binding partners of several other proteins. In addition, new data have been gathered on the role of CK2 in transcription as well as in certain other cellular functions. To address these various aspects of the progress of CK2, a number of key scientists from different parts of the world came together at the second international meeting on `A Molecular and Cellular View of Protein Kinase CK2', held at Villard de Lans near Grenoble on September 24-26, 1997. The meeting was attended by nearly 50 participants and included 28 presentations, which provide a view of the latest progress on protein kinase CK2.

A comprehensive review of stress signaling in plants using genomics and functional genomic approaches Improving agricultural production and meeting the needs of a rapidly growing global population requires crop systems capable of overcoming environmental stresses. Understanding the role of different signaling components in plant stress regulation is vital to developing crops which can withstand abiotic and biotic stresses without loss of crop yield and productivity. Emphasizing genomics and functional genomic approaches, Protein Kinases and Stress Signaling in Plants is a comprehensive review of cutting-edge research on stress perception, signal transduction, and stress response generation. Detailed chapters cover a broad range of topics central to improving agricultural production developing crop systems capable of overcoming environmental stresses to meet the needs of a rapidly growing global population. This book describes the field of protein kinases and stress signaling with a special emphasis on functional genomics. It presents a highly valuable contribution in the field of stress perception, signal transduction and generation of responses against one or multiple stress signals. This timely resource: Summarizes the role of various kinases involved in stress management Enumerates the role of TOR, GSK3-like kinase, SnRK kinases in different physiological conditions Examines mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in different stresses Describes the different aspects of calcium signaling under different stress conditions Examines photo-activated kinases (PAPKs) in varying light conditions Briefs the presence of tyrosine kinases in plants Highlights the cellular functions of receptor ]like protein kinases (RLKs) Possible implication of these kinases in developing stress tolerant crops Protein Kinases and Stress Signaling in Plants: Functional Genomic Perspective is an essential resource for researchers and students in the fields of plant molecular biology and signal transduction, plant responses to stress, plant cell signaling, plant protein kinases, plant biotechnology, transgenic plants and stress biology.

Signal Transduction through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of proteins in the cell is now a well-recognized mechanism involved in countless physiological and pathological processes. Consequently, the enzymes, known as protein kinases, which catalyze the phosphorylation of proteins, are critical regulators of cellular events. One of these protein kinases is the protein kinase CK2 (also known as casein kinase 2) that has been implicated in multiple functions including control of cell growth and proliferation. CK2 is a protein serine/threonine kinase which is a highly conserved and ubiquitous protein kinase. It is localized in the cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments, which accords with its multiple functional activities in the cell. Pertinent to this is also the recognition that a large number of putative substrates for this kinase have been identified in various compartments of the cell. New evidence from several laboratories has further reinforced the involvement of CK2 in signal transduction related to many cellular functions, thus underscoring the significance of its functional role in normal and abnormal cell growth and proliferation. This volume provides an overview of the state of knowledge concerning this intriguing protein kinase. It brings together contributions from leading investigators engaged in research in this field. Key developments during the past three years pertain to the elaboration of the crystal structure and definition of novel functions of the kinase, such as its role as an inhibitor of apoptosis. Additionally, the shuttling of the kinase to various compartments in response to physiological and stress stimuli appears to be a key feature of the functional regulation of its activity in the cell.

Protein kinase CK2 (formerly casein kinase II or 2) is known to play a critical role in the control of cell growth and cell death and is thus intimately involved in the development of cancer. More specifically, CK2 has been found to be elevated in all cancers examined. While CK2 levels are known to be high in proliferating normal cells, CK2 has also been found to be a potent suppressor of apoptosis and is a link to the cancer cell phenotype, which is characterized by deregulation of both cell proliferation and cell death. Indeed, it would appear that CK2 impacts many of the hallmarks of cancer and it has now gained considerable attention as a potential target for cancer therapy. Protein Kinase CK2 and Cellular Function in Normal and Disease States increases knowledge of the role of CK2 in the development of cellular dysfunction and emphasizes that this protein may serve as a target of drug development for improved cancer therapy. In addition, it is a handy tool that provides cancer researchers, graduate students, and all scientists involved in CK2 research with one main source for the latest advances in CK2 research. ​

This monograph reviews and summarizes the substantial body of work that has been published on the transcription by polymerase III over the past 5 years. Progress in this field has been very rapid since 1993, and this new edition incorporates all the recent developments and offers the reader a highly detailed analysis of the current state of research on this largest and most complex of the eukaryotic RNA polymerases.

Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 provides a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of reviews on the discovery, signaling mechanisms and functions of Cdk5, as well as the potential implication of Cdk5 in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Since the identification of this unique member of the Cdk family, Cdk5 has emerged as one of the most important signal transduction mediators in the development, maintenance and fine-tuning of neuronal functions and networking. Further studies have revealed that Cdk5 is also associated with the regulation of neuronal survival during both developmental stages and in neurodegenerative diseases. These observations indicate that precise control of Cdk5 is essential for the regulation of neuronal survival. The pivotal role Cdk5 appears to play in both the regulation of neuronal survival and synaptic functions thus raises the interesting possibility that Cdk5 inhibitors may serve as therapeutic treatment for a number of neurodegenerative diseases.