Serpins are a group of proteins with similar structures that were first identified as a set of proteins able to inhibit proteases. This volume in the Methods in Enzymology series comprehensively covers this topic. With an international board of authors, this volume covers subjects such as Crystallography of serpins and serpin complexes, Serpins as hormone transporters, and Production of serpins using cell free systems. This volume in the Methods in Enzymology series comprehensively covers the topic of serpins With an international board of authors, this volume covers subjects such as Crystallography of serpins and serpin complexes, Serpins as hormone transporters, and Production of serpins using cell free systems

The book provides an comprehensive overview on biology, genetics and cellular functions of serpins (serine protease inhibitors) in health and disease. With over 1000 members serpins are the most diverse family of protease inhibitors. Latest groundbreaking research findings are presented and broaden the understanding on inhibitory and non-inhibitory serpins, not only in mammalian organisms but also in insects, worms, plants and viruses.​

Serpins are a group of proteins with similar structures that were first identified as a set of proteins able to inhibit proteases. The acronym serpin was originally coined because many serpins inhibit chymotrypsin-like serine proteases. This volume of Methods in Ezymology is split into 2 parts and comprehensively covers the subject.

Microbiome Metabolic Pathways and Disease provides insight into the interaction of microbial metabolic pathways in the human body and the impact these can have on a variety of diseases. By analyzing these pathways the book seeks to investigate how these metabolic processes can be targeted and manipulated in order to treat various disorders and diseases. Topics covered in the book include microbial shikimate pathways, protein biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolites, microbiome metabolic engineering, fecal microbiota transplantation, and virulence factors. Additionally, a variety of conditions are covered, such as disorders associated with metabolic syndromes, serotonin syndromes, Alzheimer's disease, and Covid-19, providing a detailed overview of how metabolic pathways of microbiome can impact health and disease in the human body. - Explores microbial metabolic pathways in the human body and implications for disease - Investigates specific steps involved in metabolic reactions in the human microbiome, including shikimate pathways and tryptophan pathways - Considers a variety of diseases and disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, metabolic syndromes, Crohn's disease and Covid-19 - Includes analysis of various amino acids and enzymes in microbial and human cells and how these can impact health

With the most comprehensive and up-to-date overview of structure-based drug discovery covering both experimental and computational approaches, Structural Biology in Drug Discovery: Methods, Techniques, and Practices describes principles, methods, applications, and emerging paradigms of structural biology as a tool for more efficient drug development. Coverage includes successful examples, academic and industry insights, novel concepts, and advances in a rapidly evolving field. The combined chapters, by authors writing from the frontlines of structural biology and drug discovery, give readers a valuable reference and resource that: Presents the benefits, limitations, and potentiality of major techniques in the field such as X-ray crystallography, NMR, neutron crystallography, cryo-EM, mass spectrometry and other biophysical techniques, and computational structural biology Includes detailed chapters on druggability, allostery, complementary use of thermodynamic and kinetic information, and powerful approaches such as structural chemogenomics and fragment-based drug design Emphasizes the need for the in-depth biophysical characterization of protein targets as well as of therapeutic proteins, and for a thorough quality assessment of experimental structures Illustrates advances in the field of established therapeutic targets like kinases, serine proteinases, GPCRs, and epigenetic proteins, and of more challenging ones like protein-protein interactions and intrinsically disordered proteins

Biochemistry of Collagens, Laminins, and Elastin: Structure, Function, and Biomarkers provides a comprehensive introduction to collagen and structural proteins. Type I collagen is one of the most abundant molecules in the body, playing essential roles in different tissues, particularly bone and skin. A key aspect of type I collagen is its post-translational modifications which are essential for correct synthesis and structural integrity of collagens, for tissue-specific functionality, as well as for application as biomarkers of different pathologies. This volume summarizes current data on key structural proteins (collagens, laminins and elastin), reviews how these molecules affect pathologies, and describes selected modifications of proteins that result in altered signaling properties of the original extracellular matrix component. Further, it discusses the novel concept that an increasing number of components of the ECM harbor cryptic signaling functions that may be viewed as endocrine functions. Additionally, it highlights how this knowledge can be exploited to modulate fibrotic disease. - Provides a comprehensive introduction to collagen and structural proteins - Provides insight into emerging analytical technologies that can detect biomarkers of extracellular matrix degradation - Includes a chapter dedicated to the biomarkers of structural proteins - Contains insights into the biochemical interactions and changes to structural composition of proteins in disease states

This book contains the proceedings of the International Symposium on the Mechanisms of Sexual Reproduction in Animals and Plants, where many plant and animal reproductive biologists gathered to discuss their recent progress in investigating the shared mechanisms and factors involved in sexual reproduction. This now is the first book that reviews recent progress in almost all fields of plant and animal fertilization. It was recently reported that the self-sterile mechanism of a hermaphroditic marine invertebrate (ascidian) is very similar to the self-incompatibility system in flowering plants. It was also found that a male factor expressed in the sperm cells of flowering plants is involved in gamete fusion not only of plants but also of animals and parasites. These discoveries have led to the consideration that the core mechanisms or factors involved in sexual reproduction may be shared by animals, plants and unicellular organisms. This valuable book is highly useful for reproductive biologists as well as for biological scientists outside this field in understanding the current progress of reproductive biology.

This open access book focuses on the molecular mechanism of congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, offering new insights into the development of pulmonary circulation and the ductus arteriosus. It describes in detail the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and morphogenesis of the heart, lungs and ductus arteriosus, covering a range of topics such as gene functions, growth factors, transcription factors and cellular interactions, as well as stem cell engineering technologies. The book also presents recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanism of lung development, pulmonary hypertension and molecular regulation of the ductus arteriosus. As such, it is an ideal resource for physicians, scientists and investigators interested in the latest findings on the origins of congenital heart disease and potential future therapies involving pulmonary circulation/hypertension and the ductus arteriosus.

Acute Phase Proteins covers all major aspects of acute phase proteins (APP) starting with molecular mechanisms regulating their synthesis and ending with their functional significance. The book features 36 chapters addressing such topics as acute phase response and the APP; major APP and their structure and functions; regulation of APP synthesis, the cytokines and hormones implicated in these processes, and molecular mechanisms involved; signal transduction of cytokines in hepatocytes and posttranscriptional processes; and quantitative and qualitative evaluation of APP in clinical practice. The book will be an important reference for immunologists, molecular biologists, cellular biologists, biochemists, and clinical chemists.