This first of two volumes provides a general overview of the genetics, structure, mechanism and regulation of the Ras superfamily proteins and describes in detail the signaling pathways and processes regulated by specific members of this family. The focus of this first volume is on the Rho and Ras subfamily of small G proteins. Renowned scientists provide insights into the biochemistry of the classical and non-classical small G-protein family members, their spatio-temporal regulation, their effectors and their roles in health and disease. Together with Volume 2, this book provides a comprehensive and state-of-the-art work on small G-proteins (GTPases). It is intended for graduates and professors in biochemistry and cell biology already working on small G-proteins (small GTPases), but also offers an extremely valuable resource for those readers who are new to the field.

The Ras superfamily (>150 human members) encompasses Ras GTPases involved in cell proliferation, Rho GTPases involved in regulating the cytoskeleton, Rab GTPases involved in membrane targeting/fusion and a group of GTPases including Sar1, Arf, Arl and dynamin involved in vesicle budding/fission. These GTPases act as molecular switches and their activities are controlled by a large number of regulatory molecules that affect either GTP loading (guanine nucleotide exchange factors or GEFs) or GTP hydrolysis (GTPase activating proteins or GAPs). In their active state, they interact with a continually increasing, functionally complex array of downstream effectors. Since the last Methods in Enzymology volume on this topic in 2000, the study of Ras Family GTPases has witnessed a plethora of new directions and trends. With regards to the founding member of the Ras superfamily, the study of Ras in oncogenesis has seen the development and application of more advanced model cell culture and animal systems. The discovery of mutationally activated B-Raf in human cancers has injected renewed interest in this classical effector pathway of Ras. - Includes a database for Ras family proteins and their effectors and regulators - Complimentary to volume 406 coverage of the Rho family - Over 150 international contributors

For the first time experts in the area of signalling research with a focus on the ARF family have contributed to the production of a title devoted to ARF biology. A comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the ARF family, tables of the ARF GEFs and ARF GAPs, and more than a dozen chapters describing them in detail are provided. The impact of the ARF proteins on widely diverse aspects of cell biology and cell signalling can be clearly seen from the activities described; including membrane traffic, lipid metabolism, receptor desensitization, mouse development, microtubule dynamics, and bacterial pathogenesis. Anyone interested in understanding the complexities of cell signalling and the integration of signalling networks will benefit from this volume.

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.

This comprehensive encyclopedic reference provides rapid and focused information about topics of cancer research for the clinical and basic scientist, students and informed laymen. It will be readily accessible, both electronically and in print, such that it will be of value to both the scientific community and the public.

This second of two volumes discusses subfamily proteins which function in molecular and vesicular transport mechanisms inside the cell. In this volume the focus lies on the Rab, Ran and Arf subfamily members. As in Volume 1, the book is written by international renowned scientists in the field of small G-proteins. In elaborate reviews, biochemistry, structure, function and G-protein - effector interactions are described. Together with Volume 1 this book provides an comprehensive state-of-the-art work on small G-proteins (GTPases). It is written for Graduates and Professors in Biochemistry and Cell Biology interested in the mechanism and function of small G-proteins but are extremely valuable for those who want to move into the field.

In the last 10 years researchers have firmly established key roles for R- related GTPases in almost every aspect of cell biology. In the 1980s the pro- oncogene Ras itself was the focus of interest, though in the 1990s this shifted to the increasing variety of Ras-related proteins. In this new decade much yet needs to be done to establish the role for all the small GTPases now uncovered by the human genome project. In particular, these GTPases need to be und- stood in the appropriate biochemical and cellular contexts. In the process of trying to uncover the role of these versatile proteins, a variety of novel te- niques and methodologies has been developed. These now enable investi- tors to move easily within a diversity of fields ranging from structural studies to real-time in vivo analysis of a GTPase. In recognition of the need for access to key background methodologies, GTPase Protocols: The Ras Superfamily is devoted to techniques that are pr- ently widely used and that will continue to be the standard for researchers worldwide. Each chapter is aimed at supplying detailed methodologies to allow reproduction in any laboratory, while also providing the general pr- ciples on which the methods are based. Some of the techniques grouped in the first section apply broadly to small GTPases, whereas others in Part II are more applicable within each GTPase subfamily.

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

This special volume of The Enzymes is targeted toward researchers in biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, pharmacology, and cancer. This thematic volume discusses inhibitors of the Ras superfamily G-proteins. Contributions from leading authorities Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field

The Ras superfamily (>150 human members) encompasses Ras GTPases involved in cell proliferation, Rho GTPases involved in regulating the cytoskeleton, Rab GTPases involved in membrane targeting/fusion and a group of GTPases including Sar1, Arf, Arl and dynamin involved in vesicle budding/fission. These GTPases act as molecular switches and their activities are controlled by a large number of regulatory molecules that affect either GTP loading (guanine nucleotide exchange factors or GEFs) or GTP hydrolysis (GTPase activating proteins or GAPs). In their active state, they interact with a continually increasing, functionally complex array of downstream effectors. Since the last Methods in Enzymology volume on this topic in 2000, Rho GTPases have continued to receive a huge amount of attention. The human genome sequence has revealed the full extent of the Rho GEF and Rho GAP families (over 80 members for each) and the challenge of identifying the molecular interactions and cellular pathways influenced by each of these regulators is a daunting prospect. This new volume, Regulators and Effectors of Small GTPases: Rho Family, describes some of the methods currently being used to examine Rho family GTPase regulation at the biochemical and cellular level. - Describes the methods currently being used to examine Rho family GTPase regulation at the biochemical and cellular levels - Includes new imaging techniques that revolutionize the ability to visualize GTPase activities - Over 150 international contributors