Changes in Eukaryotic Gene Expression in Response to Environmental Stress focuses on various aspects of eukaryotic cell's response to heat stress (shock) and other stress stimuli. This book is organized into two major sections, encompassing 17 chapters that reflect the emphasis on research utilizing Drosophila, a variety of animal systems, and plants. This book first provides a brief introduction to the organization, sequences, and induction of heat shock proteins and related genes. It then describes the control of transcription during heat shock from the standpoint of molecular biology and evolutionary variations of the mechanisms in organisms with diverse metabolic needs. It goes on to discuss the issue of coordinate and noncoordinate responses of heat shock genes. It presents a model for post-transcriptional regulation on certain aspects of coordinate and noncoordinate regulations. Chapters 6-12 discuss heat shock proteins and genes and the effects of stress on gene expression of sea urchin, avian, and mammalian cells. The second part of the book focuses on the physiological role of heat shock proteins and genes in plants and fungi. It includes a discussion on experimental problems encountered during studies of the mechanisms of inhibition of photosynthesis by unfavorable environmental conditions. The changes in transcription and translation of specific mRNAs in the developing embryo during heat shock at various temperatures are described. The concluding chapters deal with heat shock response in plants, particularly the response in soybeans and maize, covering both physiological and molecular analyses. Research scientists, clinicians, and agriculturists will greatly benefit from the information presented in this book.

Advances in Genetics

Scientists challenging dominant paradigms are either ignored or attacked by the scientific mainstream. This book, however, contains a selection of scientific papers presented at the two last GIRI meetings (International Research Group on Very Low Dose and High Dilution Effects). The majority of these papers present results performed with succussed high dilutions (homeopathic dilutions), even beyond the Avogrado number. All presented models are classified, and their interpretation is possible either in the mechanistic paradigm or in an information paradigm. This new field of research introduces new scientific concepts which are supported by experimental results. Furthermore, this nascent science is totally concerned with living organisms and, as such, it becomes necessary to define `information' brought by non-molecular high dilutions. This book presents brain-storming work of this research group and is one of the starting points of a scientific evolution.

For many years, the authors have investigated the adaptive role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in different animals, including the representatives of homothermic and poikilothermic organisms that inhabit regions with contrasting thermal conditions. This book will summarize the data accumulated in the course of these studies and describe the general molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptation of various organisms to aggressive environments. We also concentrate on different evolutionary trends characteristic for HSP systems in the course of adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions. In addition, we describe the peculiarities in the regulatory regions of heat shock genes necessary for fine tuning of these systems providing the adaptation to adverse conditions. Special emphasis is given to the role of mobile elements in the evolution and functioning of various groups of HSP genes. The book combines the results of field studies and laboratory analysis of stress genes systems.

I am pleased to include this book as Volume 6 of Developmental Biology: A Comprehensive Synthesis. It has been edited by two of the foremost investiga tors in the study of genomic adaptability. lowe a special debt of gratitude to Dr. Marie A. DiBerardino, who developed the concept of the volume. Dr. DiBerar dino is also a very active member of the editorial board for this series. Much of the success of this series is due to her valuable advice. This series was established to create comprehensive treatises on specific topics in developmental biology. Such volumes serve a useful role in develop mental biology, since it is a very diverse field that receives contributions from a wide variety of disciplines. This series is a meeting ground for the various practitioners of this science, facilitating an integration of heterogeneous infor mation on specific topics. Each volume is intended to provide the conceptual basis for a comprehen sive understanding of its topic as well as analysis of the key experiments upon which that understanding is based. The specialist in any aspect of developmen tal biology should understand the experimental background of the field and be able to place that body of information in context to ascertain where additional research would be fruitful. At that point, the creative process generates new experiments. This series is intended to be a vital link in that process of learning and discovery.

Scientific progress hinges on continual discovery and the extension of previous discoveries. The important series of volumes Discoveries in Plant Biology is specially compiled to provide a microcosmic atlas of the landmark discoveries that span the breadth of plant biology. Written by renowned plant biologists, the papers describe how classic discoveries were made and how they have served as the basis for subsequent breakthroughs.The 24 chapters in this third volume describe discoveries which contribute to the foundations of modern plant biology. The contributors, many of whom personally lit the way, bring readers back in time as if on a journey to retrace the paths and rethink the ideas they followed. These guided tours on how to decipher the natural laws will lead to an appreciation of the development of each field from simple concepts to an advanced multidisciplinary field of today. This volume will be of special interest to botanists, biochemists, plant physiologists and geneticists, and of general interest to those who are still fascinated by how discoveries are made.

Researchers from North America and Western Europe discuss the state of the art research on gene expression in plants as affected by various stresses such as water deficit, seed dessication, anoxia, salinity, temperature extremes, heavy metals, air pollutants, and infection by pathogens. They also look at the possibilities of exploiting genes that regulate ozone resistance and the ingenious molecular strategies that have been developed by plants for dealing with pathogen attack. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Environmental stress is one of the most significant factors affecting livestock performance and health, and it is only expected to increase with effects of global warming. Environmental Physiology of Livestock brings together the latest research on environmental physiology, summarizing progress in the field and providing directions for future research. Recent developments in estimating heat stress loads are discussed, as well as key studies in metabolism, reproduction, and genetic expressions. Environmental Physiology of Livestock begins with a survey of current heat indexing tools, highlighting recent discoveries in animal physiology, changes in productivity levels, and new technologies available to better estimate stress response. Using this synopsis as a point of orientation, later chapters hone in on major effects of heat stress, including changing metabolic pathways and nutrient requirements, endocrine regulation of acclimation to environmental stress, and reduced reproductive performance. The text concludes with a thorough discussion of environmental effects on gene expressions, providing important insight for future breeding practices. Environmental Physiology of Livestock is a globally contributed volume and a key resource for animal science researchers, geneticists, and breeders.

This book focuses on heat shock response-an active yet transient reprogramming of cellular activities to the needs of a stress protection mechanism designed to minimize heat damage and to optimize restoration of normal cellular activities after the stress period. This work places major emphasis on the structure and possible cellular functions of heat shock proteins as well as the analysis of heat shock protein-coding genes by transfection into homologous and heterologous expression systems. It also discusses heat shock effects on all levels of gene expression, on cell ultrastructure, and metabolic activities. This unique text is a must for all those who are involved with genetics, nucleic acids research, and cancer research.

This book integrates many fields to help students understand the complexity of the basic science that underlies crop and food production.