One of the major advances in the understanding of the mechanism of action of hormones, neurotransmitters and drugs had arisen from the hypothesis that the physiological or pharmacological responses are trig gered by their interaction with specific cell compo nents, termed receptors. However, the presence of receptors has been inferred from indirect data, and only recently has it been possible to study the kinetics of the interaction between drug and receptors directly, through the so called "binding technique. " This NATO-ASI on "Principles and Methods in Receptor Binding" was devoted mainly to the following aspects of the study of receptors: the principles underlying the use of the binding technique; the mathematical models necessary to interpret binding data; the application of binding methods to specific receptors; and, finally, a few selected examples of coupling between receptors and physiological re sponses. In the chapters of this book, special interest is devoted to the analysis of the simplest models for the interaction of receptors with their ligands (either hormones or neurotransmitters or drugs). The graphical techniques used to analyze the data from binding exper iments are extensively discussed, together with the statistics that have to be used in binding analysis. Moreover, the basic concepts to analyze binding data using a personal computer are presented. v vi PREFACE The factors which should be considered when setting up a binding assay (such as choice of ligand and incubation conditions, preparation of tissue, termina tion of incubation) are discussed.

Techniques in the neurosciences are evolving rapidly. There are currently very few volumes dedicated to the methodology - ployed by neuroscrentists, and those that are available often seem either out of date or limited in scope. This series is about the methods most widely used by modern-day neuroscientists and 1s written by their colleagues who are practicing experts. Volume 1 will be useful to all neuroscientists since it concerns those procedures used routinely across the widest range of s- drsciplines. Collecting these general techniques together in a single volume stnkes us not only as a service, but will no doubt prove of exceptional utilitarian value as well. Volumes 2 and 3 describe all current procedures for the analyses of ammes and theirmetabolites and of amino acrds, respectively. These collections will clearly be of value to all neuroscientists working in or contemplating research in these fields. Similar reasons exist for Volume 4 on receptor binding techniques since experimental details are provided for many types of ligand-receptor binding, including chapters on general prin- ples, drug discovery and development, and a most useful app- dix on computer programs for Scatchard, nonlinear, and compe- tive displacement analyses. Volume 5 provides procedures for the assessment of enzymes involved in biogenic amine synthesis and catabolism. Volumes in the NEUROMETHODS series will be useful to neurochemists, -pharmacologists, -physrologists, -anatomists, psychopharmacologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and chemists (organic, analytical, pharmaceutical, medicinal); in fact, everyone involved in the neurosciences, both basic and clinical.

Cell Surface Receptors: A Short Course on Theory and Methods, Second Edition is a primer for the study of cell surface receptors. The simplified discussion of methods and their underlying principles removes the usual intimidation caused by the specialized vocabulary or sophisticated mathematics that characterize many of the primary papers in this field. In this way, the basic concepts become emphasized. This volume is a starting point: a textbook as well as a manual to which the investigator can return for a refresher course, when needed.

This practical reference for medicinal and pharmaceutical chemists combines the theoretical background with modern methods as well as applications from recent lead finding and optimization projects. Divided into two parts on the thermodynamics and kinetics of drug-receptor interaction, the text provides the conceptual and methodological basis for characterizing binding mechanisms for drugs and other bioactive molecules. It covers all currently used methods, from experimental approaches, such as ITC or SPR, right up to the latest computational methods. Case studies of real-life lead or drug development projects are also included so readers can apply the methods learned to their own projects. Finally, the benefits of a thorough binding mode analysis for any drug development project are summarized in an outlook chapter written by the editors.

This cutting-edge collection of step-by-step experimental protocols demonstrates

The Janeway's Immunobiology CD-ROM, Immunobiology Interactive, is included with each book, and can be purchased separately. It contains animations and videos with voiceover narration, as well as the figures from the text for presentation purposes.

Prefaces tend to be platitudinous and unconducive to perusal. To this hardened Editor, the appearance of the book represents the end of a stamina-testing saga surpassing any past experience. Amongst the numerous authors - a notably eminent bevy - some were angelic and others suffered harassment to produce, amidst day-to-day pressures, an eventual article in the cause of receptor investigation; few took exception to the strong editing that their material underwent. The reader of this book will be interested rather in its aims and ba- ground.- Does it merit a n his bookshelf? The book is not a 'Proceedings', but has sponsored-meeting parentage. Wi th company support, notably from BetaHED Pharmaceuti cals of Indianapolis, the 8th International Subcellular Hethodology Forum was held in July 1982 at the University of Surrey in Guildford. The vigorous debates, partly on aspects such as hormonal receptors and drug targeting, then narrowed to Neuroreceptor Hethodology at a NATO Advanced Research Workshop, perforce set up at short notice. But 'Proceedings' are proverbially ephemeral material reflecting an array of solo performances, whereas this book is hopefully more like an orchestra's performance, of classical together with new material. Retrievability of receptor 'know-how' has been a key aim. Locations in the text, including comments and supplementary material (designated 'NC'), are thoroughly indexed, whilst for some aspects a 'Retrieval Key' (p. 545) should be used. Related to receptor methodo logy, receptor features and phenomena get due attention in the text.

Chemokines are hormone-like signaling molecules secreted by cells to signal infection and guide the immune response. Following a decade of basic chemokine research, the pharmaceutical industry has now begun to exploit this crucial signaling pathway for the development of innovative drugs against AIDS, cancer, neural and autoimmune diseases. Here is the first reference focusing on these novel drug development opportunities. Opening with a general introduction on chemokine function and chemokine receptor biology, the second part covers the known implications of these signaling molecules in human diseases, such as cancer, neural disorders, and viral infection, including AIDS. The third part systematically surveys current drug development efforts at targeting individual chemokine receptors, as well as other chemokine interaction partners, including up-to-date reports from the pharmaceutical industry.

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