Latest research on Adhesion GPCRs has unearthed surprising revelations about the events that govern the signal transduction of these receptor molecules and the cellular and organ requirements for these signals. Unexpected and unprecedented findings suggest that Adhesion GPCRs constitute a group of receptors that sense mechanical stimuli and transcode them into metabotropic signals through the action of a novel activation paradigm. Interdisciplinary efforts transcending many areas of biomedical research including pharmacology, physiology, genetics, cell biology, structural biology, biochemistry and bioinformatics were necessary to unveil these fundamental properties. The scientific leaders in the field that carried this research effort have teamed up here to provide a comprehensive overview of our current understanding, how Adhesion GPCRs signal and how these receptors shape organ structure and function.

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.

Upon completion of the human genome project over 800 G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPCR) genes, subdivided into five categories, were identified. These receptors sense a diverse array of stimuli, including peptides, ions, lipid analogues, light and odour, in a discriminating fashion. Subsequently, they transduce a signal from the ligand–receptor complex into numerous cellular responses. The importance of GPCRs is further reflected in the fact that they constitute the most common target for therapeutic drugs across a 2 wide range of human disorders. Phylogenetic analysis of GPCRs produced the GRAFS classification system, which subdivides GPCRs into five discrete families: glutamate, rhodopsin, adhesion, frizzled/taste2 and secretin receptors. The adhesion-GPCR family 2 can be further subdivided into eight groups. The field of adhesion-GPCR biology has indeed become large enough to require a volume dedicated solely to this field. The contributors to this book have made a courageous effort to address the key concepts of adhesion-GPCR biology, including the evolution and biochemistry of adhesion-GPCRs; there are extensive discussions on the functional nature of these receptors during development, the immune response and tumourgenesis. Finally, there are chapters dedicated to adhesion-GPCR signalling, an area of intense investigation.

Kidney Development and Disease brings together established and young investigators who are leading authorities in nephrology to describe recent advances in three primary areas of research. The first section describes the use of animal models as powerful tools for the discovery of numerous molecular mechanisms regulating kidney development. The second section focuses on nephric cell renewal and differentiation, which lead to diverse cell fates within the developing kidney, and discusses diseases resulting from the aberrant regulation of the balance between cell fate decisions. The final section concentrates on morphogenesis of the developing kidney and its maintenance after formation as well as the diseases resulting from failures in these processes. Kidney form and function have been extensively studied for centuries, leading to discoveries related to their development and disease. Recent scientific advances in molecular and imaging techniques have broadened our understanding of nephron development and maintenance as well as the diseases related to these processes.

Cell Membranes offers a solid foundation for understanding the structure and function of biological membranes. The book explores the composition and dynamics of cell membranes discussing the molecular and biological diversity of its lipid and protein components and how the combinatorial richness of both components explains the chemical, mechanical, and self-renewing properties of cell membranes. Cell Membranes is a valuable resource for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and professionals.

Handbook of Cell Signaling, Three-Volume Set, 2e, is a comprehensive work covering all aspects of intracellular signal processing, including extra/intracellular membrane receptors, signal transduction, gene expression/translation, and cellular/organotypic signal responses. The second edition is an up-to-date, expanded reference with each section edited by a recognized expert in the field. Tabular and well illustrated, the Handbook will serve as an in-depth reference for this complex and evolving field. Handbook of Cell Signaling, 2/e will appeal to a broad, cross-disciplinary audience interested in the structure, biochemistry, molecular biology and pathology of cellular effectors. - Contains over 350 chapters of comprehensive coverage on cell signaling - Includes discussion on topics from ligand/receptor interactions to organ/organism responses - Provides user-friendly, well-illustrated, reputable content by experts in the field

Recent advances in molecular and cell biology enabling the cloning, expression, and mutagenesis of signal transduction proteins has prompted an explosion of knowledge in the field of receptor regulation, facilitating the discovery of new classes of regulatory proteins, and providing a basis and means for manipulating receptor function through multiple intracellular targets. This volume covers methods used to examine how the function(s) of receptors are regulated. Understanding how to regulate the function and expression of these receptors is critical in determining how to modify receptors and to translocating receptors away from the cell surface and its recycling. Individual chapters focus on specific techniques used to characterize receptors (epitope tagging, measurement and analysis of receptor phosphorylation, analysis of the kinetics of receptor desensitization, and assessment of receptor/G protein coupling); the role of regulatory proteins (receptor kinases and phosphatases, arrestins) in modulating receptor function; and the methods used to measure receptor trafficking (ligand binding, immunofluoresence) and expression (transcriptional and translational regulation). * Covers a broad range of important concepts and methodologies which are current in the study of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) * G-protein coupled receptors make up over 40% of the current pharmacological targets * Provides detailed protocols for executing various strategies and offers informed judgments as to what approaches are and aren't useful * Volume Editor, Jeffrey Benovic, is a dominant world leader in the study of receptor regulation of GPCR kinases and is highly respected in the field