The Nramp Family


Book Description

This book is the first comprehensive volume on the "Nramp family", highlighting the physiological importance of Nramp proteins as metal transporters. The molecular knowledge of these membrane proteins is presented from an evolutionary perspective, considering Nramp cellular function and mechanism of transport in key model organisms. The pathological significance of Nramp genetic polymorphism is discussed with emphasis on metal homeostasis and microbial infection. The chapters were contributed by leading investigators, providing a timely state of the art book in this rapidly growing field. The Nramp Family will be useful to a broad community of scientists interested in metal transport and molecular biology. It will be of interest to the research audience in the broad fields of metal ions and molecular medicine.




Metal Transporters


Book Description

This volume of Current Topics in Membranes focuses on metal transmembrane transporters and pumps, a recently discovered family of membrane proteins with many important roles in the physiology of living organisms. The book summarizes the most recent advances in the field of metal ion transport and provides a broad overview of the major classes of transporters involved in homeostasis of heavy metals. Various families of the transporters and metal specificities are discussed with the focus on the structural and mechanistic aspects of their function and regulation. The reader will access information obtained through a variety of approaches ranging from X-ray crystallography to cell biology and bioinformatics, which have been applied to transporters identified in diverse biological systems, such as pathogenic bacteria, plants, humans and others. Field is cutting-edge and a lot of the information is new to research community Wide breadth of topic coverage Contributors of high renown and expertise




Cation Transporters in Plants


Book Description

Cation Transporters in Plants presents expert information on the major cation transporters, along with developments of various new strategies to cope with the adverse effects of abiotic and biotic stresses. The book will serve as a very important repository for the scientist, researcher, academician and industrialist to enhance their knowledge about cation transport in plants. Further, applications listed in the book will facilitate future developments in crop designing strategies. This comprehensive resource provides an alternative strategy for abiotic and biotic stress management in agricultural and horticultural crops. In addition, it will further improve basic knowledge om the origin and mechanism of cation homeostasis and their role in developmental transition and stress regulation. - Contains in-depth knowledge about various cation transporters in plants - Provides information about important macro and micronutrient cation transporters and their applications in the agricultural and biotechnology sectors - Facilitates agricultural scientists and industries in future crop designing strategies - Provides an alternative strategy for abiotic and biotic stress management in agricultural and horticultural crops




Iron Nutrition in Plants and Rhizospheric Microorganisms


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive review on the status of iron nutrition in plants. It contains updated reviews of most relevant issues involving Fe in plants and combines research on molecular biology with physiological studies of plant-iron nutrition. It also covers molecular aspects of iron uptake and storage in Arabidopsis and transmembrane movement and translocation of iron in plants. This book should serve to stimulate continued exploration in the field.




Plant Metal and Metalloid Transporters


Book Description

This edited book stands as a one place knowledge hub for plant metal(loid) transporters. The book comprehensively covers holistic aspect of metal(loid) transporters involved in uptake and translocation of essential as well as toxic metal(loid)s. Essential and beneficial metal(loid)s are required in every biological process for normal plant growth and development, however in excess they are toxic. There are toxic metal(loid)s also whose accumulation in plants interferes with normal cellular functioning and hampers growth of plants. Hence, metal(loid) uptake and accumulation in plants is a highly regulated phenomenon involving the role of several transporters, enzymes, metabolites, transcription factors and post translational modifications. The book contains chapters from the experts and the contents of the book are presented in simple language and represented through beautiful and scientifically informative figures and tables. This book is of interest to teachers, researchers, doctoral and graduate students working in the area of plant physiology, environmental biotechnology, plant biotechnology metal(loid) stress, phytoremediation and crop biofortification.




Bacterial Evasion of Host Immune Responses


Book Description

Our survival as multicellular organisms requires the constant surveillance of our internal and external (mucosal) environments by the multifarious elements of the innate and acquired systems of immunity. The objective of this surveillance, expensive as it is to the organisms, is to recognise and kill invading microorganisms. Over the past fifty years the cells and mediators involved in our immune defences have been painstakingly identified. However, it is only relatively recently that the ability of microorganisms to evade immunity has been recognised and investigated. Bacterial Evasion of Host Immune Responses introduces the reader to the mechanisms used by bacteria to evade both humoral and cellular immune responses, using systems ranging in complexity from the simple quorum sensing molecules - acyl homoserine lactones - to the supramolecular syringe-like devices of type III secretion systems. This book will be of interest to researchers and graduate students in microbiology, immunology, pharmacology and molecular medicine.




The Physiology of Microalgae


Book Description

This book covers the state-of-the-art of microalgae physiology and biochemistry (and the several –omics). It serves as a key reference work for those working with microalgae, whether in the lab, the field, or for commercial applications. It is aimed at new entrants into the field (i.e. PhD students) as well as experienced practitioners. It has been over 40 years since the publication of a book on algal physiology. Apart from reviews and chapters no other comprehensive book on this topic has been published. Research on microalgae has expanded enormously since then, as has the commercial exploitation of microalgae. This volume thoroughly deals with the most critical physiological and biochemical processes governing algal growth and production.




Functional Genomics in Aquaculture


Book Description

Genomics has revolutionized biological research over the course of the last two decades. Genome maps of key agricultural species have offered increased understanding of the structure, organization, and evolution of animal genomes. Building upon this foundation, researchers are now emphasizing research on genome function. Published with the World Aquaculture Society, Functional Genomics in Aquaculture looks at the advances in this field as they directly relate to key traits and species in aquaculture production. Functional Genomics in Aquaculture opens with two chapters that provide a useful general introduction to the field of functional genomics. The second section of the book focuses on key production traits such as growth, development, reproduction, nutrition, and physiological response to stress and diseases. The final five chapters focus on a variety of key aquaculture species. Examples looking at our understanding of the functional genomes of salmonids, Mediterranean sea bass, Atlantic cod, catfish, shrimp, and molluscs, are included in the book. Providing valuable insights and discoveries into the functional genomes of finfish and shellfish species, Functional Genomics in Aquaculture, will be an invaluable resource to researchers and professionals in aquaculture, genetics, and animal science.




Metals and Metalloids in Soil-Plant-Water Systems


Book Description

Metals and Metalloids in Soil-Plant-Water Systems: Phytophysiology and Remediation Techniques examines the impact of metal/metalloid contamination on the plant lifecycle, along with microbes present in soil. Highlighting uptake and translocation, the book also examines antioxidant, photosynthesis and growth characteristics of plants grown in metal contaminated soil. Beginning with an introduction to different sources of soil and water pollution, chapters assess the environmental cytotoxicity pollution impact on plants, as well as how the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in plant tissues is affected. The book also discusses various soil remediation methodologies, including the potential applications of metal oxidizing microbes and nanomaterials. This is an essential resource for researchers and students interested in plant physiology, soil science, environmental science and agriculture. - Provides a comprehensive overview of metal and metalloids speciation, fractionation, bioavailability and transfer to plants - Analyzes properties of plants grown with excess metals/metalloids in soils - Highlights applications of biochar and other biostimulants for sustainable metal/metalloid remediation