Overview

This volume concentrates on molecular aspects of biological membranes. A particularly important role for the membrane is that of passing messages between a cell and its environment. Part 1 of this volume covers receptors for hormones and growth factors. Here, as in so many other areas of cell biology, the application of the methods of molecular biology have led to the recognition of a number of families of receptors. Typically, such receptors contain an extracellular ligand binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular catalytic domain whose activation, as a result of ligand binding, leads to a generation of second messengers within the cell and stimulation of a range of cytosolic enzymes. An alternative signalling strategy, exploited in particular in the nervous system, is to use ion channels to allow controlled movement of monovalent (Na+, K+) or divalent (Ca2+) cations in or out of the cell, resulting in changes in membrane potential or alteration in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+. Part 2 of this volume is concerned with these ion channels and with other, often simpler, ion channel systems whose study can throw light on channel mechanism.

Full Product Details

9781559386630

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available