Plant Peroxisomes


Book Description

In the two decades since the last comprehensive work on plant peroxisomes appeared, the scientific approaches employed in the study of plant biology have changed beyond all recognition. The accelerating pace of plant research in the post-genomic era is leading us to appreciate that peroxisomes have many important roles in plant cells, including reserve mobilisation, nitrogen assimilation, defence against stress, and metabolism of plant hormones, which are vital for productivity and normal plant development. Many plant scientists are finding, and will no doubt continue to find, that their own area of research is connected in some way to peroxisomes. Written by the leading experts in the field, this book surveys peroxisomal metabolic pathways, protein targeting and biogenesis of the organelle and prospects for the manipulation of peroxisomal function for biotechnological purposes. It aims to draw together the current state of the art as a convenient starting point for anyone, student or researcher, who wishes to know about plant peroxisomes.







Sexual Reproduction in Animals and Plants


Book Description

This book contains the proceedings of the International Symposium on the Mechanisms of Sexual Reproduction in Animals and Plants, where many plant and animal reproductive biologists gathered to discuss their recent progress in investigating the shared mechanisms and factors involved in sexual reproduction. This now is the first book that reviews recent progress in almost all fields of plant and animal fertilization. It was recently reported that the self-sterile mechanism of a hermaphroditic marine invertebrate (ascidian) is very similar to the self-incompatibility system in flowering plants. It was also found that a male factor expressed in the sperm cells of flowering plants is involved in gamete fusion not only of plants but also of animals and parasites. These discoveries have led to the consideration that the core mechanisms or factors involved in sexual reproduction may be shared by animals, plants and unicellular organisms. This valuable book is highly useful for reproductive biologists as well as for biological scientists outside this field in understanding the current progress of reproductive biology.




Plant Peroxisomes


Book Description

Plant Peroxisomes deals with the biogenesis of plant peroxisomes and its relevance to the proposed model for peroxisome biogenesis in germinated seeds. The book is divided into seven chapters that discuss the history, cytochemistry, morphology, properties, isolation, metabolism, enzymology, and ontogeny of plant peroxisomes. The book first explains how advances in electron microscopy and cell fractionation studies have led to the detection of peroxisome. The subsequent chapters discuss the types and metabolic functions of plant peroxisomes and the cytochemical procedures for establishing the localization of specific enzymes and for analyzing peroxisome distribution in nonflowering plants, algae, and fungi. A chapter presents methods of peroxisome isolation from various tissues and the physical and chemical properties of the isolated organelles. Considerable chapters are devoted to the metabolic functions, enzymatic activities, development of their form, and biochemistry of peroxisomes. Several key enzymes of the glycolate pathway of photorespiration found in leaf peroxisomes are presented. A discussion on the physiology of plant peroxisomes is provided. This book will be of value to professional scientists and graduate students concerned with plant metabolism and development.




Plant Peroxisomes


Book Description

In the two decades since the last comprehensive work on plant peroxisomes appeared, the scientific approaches employed in the study of plant biology have changed beyond all recognition. The accelerating pace of plant research in the post-genomic era is leading us to appreciate that peroxisomes have many important roles in plant cells, including reserve mobilisation, nitrogen assimilation, defence against stress, and metabolism of plant hormones, which are vital for productivity and normal plant development. Many plant scientists are finding, and will no doubt continue to find, that their own area of research is connected in some way to peroxisomes. Written by the leading experts in the field, this book surveys peroxisomal metabolic pathways, protein targeting and biogenesis of the organelle and prospects for the manipulation of peroxisomal function for biotechnological purposes. It aims to draw together the current state of the art as a convenient starting point for anyone, student or researcher, who wishes to know about plant peroxisomes.




Protein Kinases and Stress Signaling in Plants


Book Description

A comprehensive review of stress signaling in plants using genomics and functional genomic approaches Improving agricultural production and meeting the needs of a rapidly growing global population requires crop systems capable of overcoming environmental stresses. Understanding the role of different signaling components in plant stress regulation is vital to developing crops which can withstand abiotic and biotic stresses without loss of crop yield and productivity. Emphasizing genomics and functional genomic approaches, Protein Kinases and Stress Signaling in Plants is a comprehensive review of cutting-edge research on stress perception, signal transduction, and stress response generation. Detailed chapters cover a broad range of topics central to improving agricultural production developing crop systems capable of overcoming environmental stresses to meet the needs of a rapidly growing global population. This book describes the field of protein kinases and stress signaling with a special emphasis on functional genomics. It presents a highly valuable contribution in the field of stress perception, signal transduction and generation of responses against one or multiple stress signals. This timely resource: Summarizes the role of various kinases involved in stress management Enumerates the role of TOR, GSK3-like kinase, SnRK kinases in different physiological conditions Examines mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in different stresses Describes the different aspects of calcium signaling under different stress conditions Examines photo-activated kinases (PAPKs) in varying light conditions Briefs the presence of tyrosine kinases in plants Highlights the cellular functions of receptor ]like protein kinases (RLKs) Possible implication of these kinases in developing stress tolerant crops Protein Kinases and Stress Signaling in Plants: Functional Genomic Perspective is an essential resource for researchers and students in the fields of plant molecular biology and signal transduction, plant responses to stress, plant cell signaling, plant protein kinases, plant biotechnology, transgenic plants and stress biology.







Peroxisomes and their Key Role in Cellular Signaling and Metabolism


Book Description

Peroxisomes are a class of ubiquitous and dynamic single membrane-bounded cell organelles, devoid of DNA, with an essentially oxidative type of metabolism. In recent years it has become increasingly clear that peroxisomes are involved in a range of important cellular functions in almost all eukaryotic cells. In higher eukaryotes, including humans, peroxisomes catalyze ether phospholipids biosynthesis, fatty acid alpha-oxidation, glyoxylate detoxification, etc, and in humans peroxisomes are associated with several important genetic diseases. In plants, peroxisomes carry out the fatty acid beta-oxidation, photorespiration, metabolism of ROS, RNS and RSS, photomorphogenesis, biosynthesis of phytohormones, senescence, and defence against pathogens and herbivores. In recent years it has been postulated a possible contribution of peroxisomes to cellular signaling. In this volume an updated view of the capacity and function of peroxisomes from human, animal, fungal and plant origin as cell generators of different signal molecules involved in distinct processes of high physiological importance is presented.




Plant Cell Biology


Book Description

Plant Cell Biology, Second Edition: From Astronomy to Zoology connects the fundamentals of plant anatomy, plant physiology, plant growth and development, plant taxonomy, plant biochemistry, plant molecular biology, and plant cell biology. It covers all aspects of plant cell biology without emphasizing any one plant, organelle, molecule, or technique. Although most examples are biased towards plants, basic similarities between all living eukaryotic cells (animal and plant) are recognized and used to best illustrate cell processes. This is a must-have reference for scientists with a background in plant anatomy, plant physiology, plant growth and development, plant taxonomy, and more. Includes chapter on using mutants and genetic approaches to plant cell biology research and a chapter on -omic technologies Explains the physiological underpinnings of biological processes to bring original insights relating to plants Includes examples throughout from physics, chemistry, geology, and biology to bring understanding on plant cell development, growth, chemistry and diseases Provides the essential tools for students to be able to evaluate and assess the mechanisms involved in cell growth, chromosome motion, membrane trafficking and energy exchange




Biomarkers in Inborn Errors of Metabolism


Book Description

Biomarkers of Inborn Errors in Metabolism: Clinical Aspects and Laboratory Determination is structured around the new reality that laboratory testing and biomarkers are an integral part in the diagnosis and treatment of inherited metabolic diseases. The book covers currently used biomarkers as well as markers that are in development. Because biomarkers used in the initial diagnosis of disease may be different than the follow-up markers, the book also covers biomarkers used in both the prognosis and treatment of inherited metabolic disorders. With the introduction of expanded new-born screening for inborn metabolic diseases, an increasing numbers of laboratories are involved in follow-up confirmatory testing. The book provides guidance on laboratory test selection and interpreting results in patients with suspected inherited metabolic diseases. The book provides comprehensive guidance on patient diagnosis and follow-up through its illustrative material on metabolic pathways, genetics and pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of inherited metabolic diseases, along with essential information on clinical presentation. Each chapter is organized with a uniform, easy-to-follow format: a brief description of the disorder and pathway; a description of treatment; biomarkers for diagnosis; biomarkers followed for treatment efficacy; biomarkers followed for disease progression; confounding conditions that can either: affect biomarker expression or mimic IEMs; other biomarkers: less established, future. Provides comprehensive information on the tests/biomarkers selection in newborn screening and follow-up of newborn screens Categorizes biomarkers into diagnostic markers, disease follow-up markers, and prognostic biomarkers Covers confounding factors that can alter biomarkers in the absence of inborn errors of metabolism Offers guidance on how to distinguish acquired causes from inborn errors of metabolism