Inorganic polyphosphates - polymers of orthophosphate linked by high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds - have been found in apparently all forms of life, from bacteria, yeasts and fungi to higher plants and animals. These polymers, which had been neglected for a long time, have become a fascinating area of research in the last few years. This volume summarizes the present state of knowledge about the metabolism and function of inorganic polyphosphates. In addition, the methods to study these polymers as well as the biotechnological applications of inorganic polyphosphates are described. The 15...
Inorganic polyphosphates - polymers of orthophosphate linked by high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds - have been found in apparently all forms of life, ...
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), tentatively defined as ncRNAs of more than two hundred nucleotides in length, are characterized by the complexity and diversity of their sequences and mechanisms of action. Based on genome-wide studies, more than 3,300 of them exist, but to date only the limited number of functional lncRNAs have been identified and characterized. Nonetheless, lncRNAs have emerged as key molecules involved in the control of transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene regulatory pathways. They take part in the recruitment of chromatin modifying complexes and regulate splicing,...
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), tentatively defined as ncRNAs of more than two hundred nucleotides in length, are characterized by the complexity and ...
Many complex molecular interactions are involved in the development of the mammalian brain. Molecules serving as guidance cues for migratory cells, growing axons and for recognition of postsynaptic targets are a major topic for research because they are directly involved in the formation of neuronal circuits, thus creating the foundation for subsequent functional refinement through interactions with the environment. In addition, most guidance cue molecules are also involved in plasticity, damage repair and regeneration in the adult brain.
This volume reviews current knowledge on...
Many complex molecular interactions are involved in the development of the mammalian brain. Molecules serving as guidance cues for migratory cells,...
Based on the assumption that invertebrates as well as vertebrates possess factors regulating hematopoiesis, response to infection or wounding, studies dealing with the evolution of immunity have focused on the isolation and characterization of putative cytokine-related molecules from invertebrates. Until recently, most of our knowledge of cytokine- and cytokine receptor-like molecules in invertebrates has relied on functional assays and similarities at the physicochemical level. As such, a phylogenetic relationship between invertebrate cytokine-like molecules and invertebrate counterparts...
Based on the assumption that invertebrates as well as vertebrates possess factors regulating hematopoiesis, response to infection or wounding, stud...
During evolution silica deposition has been used in Protozoa, Metazoa and in plants as skeletal elements. It appears that the mechanisms for the formation of biogenic silica have evolved independently in these three taxa. In Protozoa and plants biosilicification appears to be primarily driven by non-enzymatic processes and procedes on organic matrices. In contrast, in sponges (phylum Porifera) this process is mediated by enzymes; the initiation of this process is likewise dependent on organic matrices. In this monograph the role of biosilica as stabilizing structures in different organisms is...
During evolution silica deposition has been used in Protozoa, Metazoa and in plants as skeletal elements. It appears that the mechanisms for the forma...
Studies have identified important families of proteins (denoted: heat shock or stress proteins, Hsps) which display an enhanced expression in response to heat shock or other physiological stresses. Besides the characterization of the genes encoding Hsp and the mechanisms of their induction, recent studies have concentrated on the function of these proteins. It was shown that the expression of Hsp protects the cell against different types of aggressions. In addition, Hsp can regulate essential biochemical processes in unstressed cells. For example, members of the Hsp60 and Hsp70 families act...
Studies have identified important families of proteins (denoted: heat shock or stress proteins, Hsps) which display an enhanced expression in response...
The containment of cell growth is at the core of the homeostatic regulation of metazoans, and considerable progress has been made in the understanding of how this is achieved. Most knowledge comes from the isolation of molecu les with positive and negative regulatory effects on cell proliferation, and most emphasis so far has been on these molecules. Some of these molecules are already available for therapeutic purposes, and others look promising in this respect. This volume gives examples of such approaches. The understanding of the control of cell growth is also fundamental to grasp...
The containment of cell growth is at the core of the homeostatic regulation of metazoans, and considerable progress has been made in the understanding...
Examples for biomedical inorganic polymers that had been proven to exhibit biomedical effects and/or have been applied in preclinical or clinical trials are polysilicate / silica glass (such as naturally formed "biosilica" and synthetic "bioglass") and inorganic polyphosphate.
Examples for biomedical inorganic polymers that had been proven to exhibit biomedical effects and/or have been applied in preclinical or clinical tria...
