This book devotes a chapter to each RTK family and the multiple receptors within each family, thoroughly covering all of the RTKs. The chapters all follow the same structure, presenting this essential information in an accessible and user-friendly format. Each chapter covers one specific family of receptors and begins with a general introduction to that family and a comprehensive discussion of that receptor’s family in development and human disease. Following are in-depth analyses of each family’s receptors with discussions on the gene, protein, ligands, activation, and signaling pathways along with discussion of receptor processing and signal attenuation. Further, cross talk with other receptors systems, post-translational modification and specific unique characteristics to each RTK are discussed. Because it isolates and explains each family, this book is an essential companion volume to Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: Structure, Functions and Role in Human Disease, by the same authors, which talks about RTKs more generally and without the family-by-family detail.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinase: Structure, Functions and Role in Human Disease, for the first time, systematically covers the shared structural and functional features of the RTK family. Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) play critical roles in embryogenesis, normal physiology and several diseases. And over the last decade they have become the Number 1 targets of cancer drugs. To be able to conduct fundamental research or to attempt to develop pharmacological agents able to enhance or intercept them, it is essential first to understand the evolutionary origin of the 58 RTKs and their roles in invertebrates and in humans, as well as downstream signaling pathways. The assembly of chapters is written by experts and underscores commonalities between and among the RTKs. It is an ideal companion volume to The Receptor Tyrosine Kinase: Families and Subfamilies, which proceeds, family by family through all of the specific subfamilies of RTKs, along with their unique landmarks.

Receptor tyrosine kinases are cell-surface receptors that respond to numerous hormones and growth factors, including insulin, insulin-like growth factors, epidermal growth factor, and nerve growth factor. They activate highly conserved intracellular signaling pathways that regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism, playing essential roles in developing and adult animals. This book examines the nature of these receptors and their ligands, the molecular mechanisms that they regulate within cells, and the roles of the receptors in normal physiology and control of embryogenesis. It also discusses how dysfunction of these mechanisms can contribute to cancer and other diseases.

Since the first TRP ion channel was discovered in Drosophila melanogaster in 1989, the progress made in this area of signaling research has yielded findings that offer the potential to dramatically impact human health and wellness. Involved in gateway activity for all five of our senses, TRP channels have been shown to respond to a wide range of st

Biological processes are driven by complex systems of functionally interacting signaling molecules. Thus, understanding signaling molecules is essential to explain normal or pathological biological phenomena. A large body of clinical and experimental data has been accumulated over these years, albeit in fragmented state. Hence, systems biological approaches concomitant with the understanding of each molecule are ideal to delineate signaling networks/pathways involved in the biologically important processes. The control of these signaling pathways will enrich our healthier life. Currently, there are more than 30,000 genes in human genome. However, not all the proteins encoded by these genes work equally in order to maintain homeostasis. Understanding the important signaling molecules as completely as possible will significantly improve our research-based teaching and scientific capabilities. This encyclopedia presents 350 biologically important signaling molecules and the content is built on the core concepts of their functions along with early findings written by some of the world’s foremost experts. The molecules are described by recognized leaders in each molecule. The interactions of these single molecules in signal transduction networks will also be explored. This encyclopedia marks a new era in overview of current cellular signaling molecules for the specialist and the interested non-specialist alike During past years, there were multiple databases to gather this information briefly and very partially. Amidst the excitement of these findings, one of the great scientific tasks of the coming century is to bring all the useful information into a place. Such an approach is arduous but at the end will infuse the lacunas and considerably be a streamline in the understanding of vibrant signaling networks. Based on this easy-approach, we can build up more complicated biological systems.