Nuclear Hormone Receptors


Book Description

An overview of the supergene family made up of those nuclear hormone receptors which recognize thyroid and steroid hormones, vitamen D and retinoic acid and which are characterized by their ability to bind both ligands and the genes which respond to them.




Endocrinology of the Testis and Male Reproduction


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive overview of endocrinology of the male reproductive system, explaining how it works and how, sometimes, it fails to work. World-class specialists present state of the art knowledge on all aspects, including anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, genetics, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations of testicular diseases, endocrine aspects of andrological and sexual diseases, and therapy. Extensive consideration is given to sexual development, testicular function, the clinical approach to disorders of male reproduction, male hypogonadism, sexual dysfunction, and male infertility. In addition, sociodemographic, psychological, and ethical aspects of male reproductive disorders are discussed. The book is intended as a major reference for endocrinologists, andrologists, and sexologists, as well as basic and clinical scientists. It is published as part of the SpringerReference program, which delivers access to living editions constantly updated through a dynamic peer-review publishing process.




Nuclear Receptors


Book Description

Nuclear receptors are ligand activated transcription factors that control numerous biological functions. Consequently, altering activity of these receptors is proposed, and indeed documented, to affect many physiological and pathological conditions in experimental animals and humans. Thus, nuclear receptors have become a major target in the effort to treat numerous diseases. This book will shed light on and emphasize intricate processes involved in designing as well as discovering physiological and pharmacological modulators of these important proteins. World-renowned scientists will share with the reader their professional expertise and extensive experience acquired through decades working with nuclear receptors. Chapters address the various means and consequences of modulating nuclear receptor activity will be presented and discussed. These modulators cover a wide span of moieties ranging from synthetic chemicals to natural products. In addition, the classification of these chemicals ranges from pan agonists to selective agonists and inverse agonists to antagonists. They also include proteolytic means to obliterate the receptor in the event that modulating its activity through canonical pharmacological agents becomes less effective and/or less desirable due to anticipated or experienced toxicities. Modulation of receptor activity may also take place in the absence of a ligand or through manipulating the structure of the receptor itself by controlling posttranslational events.




Androgen Action


Book Description

Androgens play a critical role in the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system and affect important physiological processes and pathological conditions, including the homeostasis of the normal prostate and prostate cancer. Androgen Action: Methods and Protocols is designed to provide a tool box to study various phases of androgen action, from its entry to the cell to the phenotypic response that the cell mounts, with up-to-date techniques for biochemists, molecular biologists, cell biologists, geneticists, and pathologists. The volume opens with a brief review of the research history on androgen action and prostate carcinogenesis, followed by chapters that cover state-of-the-art methods to determine androgen levels in biological tissues and fluids, experimental procedures to study the various aspects of androgen receptor activity, and methodology to study salient examples of interactions between androgen signalling and other major signalling pathways in cells. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Androgen Action: Methods and Protocols provides a comprehensive overview of, and practical guidance on, the diverse methodologies that are propelling androgen action research forward, both for normal physiology as well as in disease states.




The Yeast Two-hybrid System


Book Description

This volume, part of the Advances in Molecular Biology series, presents work by pioneers in the field and is the first publication devoted solely to the yeast two-hybrid system. It includes detailed protocols, practical advice on troubleshooting, and suggestions for future development. In addition, it illustrates how to construct an activation domain hybrid library, how to identify mutations that disrupt an interaction, and how to use the system in mammalian cells. Many of the contributors have developed new applications and variations of the technique.




Testosterone


Book Description

Research on testosterone is increasing in many senses; however there is still much controversy regarding its physiology and clinical use. This book addresses these topics, providing a broad overview about testosterone, from its basic features to the most recent evidence of clinical applicability. Also, specific conditions in which testosterone play a pivotal role are discussed in detail, such as hypogonadism, misuse and abuse, puberty, cardiovascular effects and testosterone therapy. Although not essential for survival, testosterone represents the essence of male biological function, being the important testicular androgen in men. Low serum testosterone levels are associated with cardiovascular morbidity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and mortality. Conversely, increased serum levels of testosterone may lead to deleterious events. In general, there is increasing evidence that serum testosterone is a major biomarker status of men’s health in general. Testosterone: From Basic to Clinical Aspects is an indispensable reference for all those who seek state-of-the-art knowledge regarding this hormone, from basic issues (including pharmacology and physiology) through clinical aspects (related diseases and supplementation therapy).




Drug Management of Prostate Cancer


Book Description

Prostate cancer is the most common noncutaneous prostate cancer. Research has revealed several distinct malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer mechanisms of castration-resistant disease that may deaths among men in the United States. It is a critical converge in patients with disease progression on public health problem and remains incurable in the ADT. Many approaches are currently being evaluated metastatic setting with mortality that usually occurs as to improve the treatment of this condition and these a result of castration-resistant disease. fndings have identifed several potential targets for Since Huggins and Hodges’ report of the dra- therapeutic intervention. These include drugs that are matic clinical effects of suppressing serum testos- more active or less toxic chemotherapy agents; drugs terone levels in men with advanced prostate cancer that induce androgen deprivation; drugs that target in 1941, hormone therapy (also called androgen the androgen receptor and/or androgen synthesis; deprivation therapy [ADT]) has become widely drugs that target specifc pathways, including ang- accepted as the mainstay of therapy for the treat- genesis and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, endothelin ment of advanced prostate cancer. ADT combined antagonists and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors; with radiation therapy is a standard of care in the and immunologic approaches. Many of these agents treatment of men with locally advanced prostate seem promising and the rationale and effcacy of cancer on the basis of evidence that shows improved these emerging therapies remain to be validated in survival. The role of ADT in the management of future clinical trials.




Intrinsically Disordered Proteins


Book Description

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins: Dynamics, Binding, and Function thoroughly examines and ties together the fundamental biochemical functions of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), including signaling, binding, and regulation, with the methodology for study and the associated pathways for drug design and therapeutic intervention. The role of new mechanistic, computational, and experimental approaches in IDP study are explored in depth, with methods for the characterization of IDP dynamics; models, simulations, and mechanisms of IDP and IDR binding; and biological and medical implications of IDP dynamics prominently featured. Written and edited by leading scientists in the field, this book explores groundbreaking areas such as ensemble descriptions of IDPs and IDRs, single-molecule studies of IDPs and IDRs, IDPs and IDRs in membraneless organelles, and molecular mechanisms of fibrillation of IDPs. Intrinsically Disordered Proteins provides students and researchers in biochemistry, molecular biology, and applied microbiology with a comprehensive and updated discussion of the complex dynamics of IDPs and IDRs. - Provides in-depth discussion of fundamental IDP and IDR dynamics, function, and binding, with mechanistic insight to support new drug development - Describes the role of new computational and experimental approaches in characterizing the binding of IDPs to their functional targets - Features chapter contributions from international experts in IDP and IDR biochemical function and methods of study




The Nuclear Receptor FactsBook


Book Description

The FactsBook Series has established itself as the best source of easily accessible and accurate facts about protein groups. They use an easy-to-follow format and are researched and compiled by experts in the field. This Factsbook is devoted to nuclear receptors. The first section presents an introduction and describes the mode of action of the receptors in general. The second section of the book contains detailed entries covering each type of receptor. Entries provide information on: Nomenclature and structure, Isolation, DNA binding properties, Ligands, Expression, Target genes, Knockouts, Disease association, Gene structure, promoter and isoforms, Chromosomal location, Amino acid sequences, Key references




The Retinoblastoma Protein


Book Description

This volume covers the mechanisms of pRb inactivation detailing repressive mechanisms commonly associated to cancer, and representative of the experimentally relevant tests used in the establishment of cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Chapters contain protocols and in-depth discussions for commonly used experimental approaches to assess the status and function of components of the pRb pathway, including pRb itself, in cell lines and biological samples.Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, The Retinoblastoma Protein aims to serve as a guide to assist molecular cancer biologists in their search for understanding of the molecular functions of this preeminent tumor suppressor.