Presenting a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted field of proteases in the extracellular matrix environment, this reference focuses on the recently elucidated functions of complex proteolytic systems in physiological and pathological tissue remodeling. The proteases treated include both serine proteases such as plasminogen activators and TTSPs, metalloproteases such as MMPs and ADAMS and cysteine protease cathepsins. The text specifically addresses the role of extracellular proteases in cancer cell invasion, stroke and infectious diseases, describing the basic biochemistry behind these disease states, as well as therapeutic strategies based on protease inhibition. With its trans-disciplinary scope, this reference bridges the gap between fundamental research and biomedical and pharmaceutical application, making this required reading for basic and applied scientists in the molecular life sciences.

In view of rapidly growing research in the deregulation of proteases and their impact in human health and diseases, this book will highlight existing and emerging research in this exciting area. In-depth critical state-of-the-art reviews will be written by established investigators on proteases dysfunctions associated with pathogenesis of different diseases that are known to occur due to deregulation of proteolytic systems. Multidisciplinary approaches demonstrating biochemical and signal transduction mechanisms associated with deregulation of proteases leading to manifestation of the diseases will be discussed. The book highlights the roles of both intracellular and extracellular proteases in health and disease.

In recent years, powered by evolving technologies and experimental design, studies have better illuminated the regulating role of proteolytic enzymes across human development and pathologies. Proteolytic Signaling in Health and Disease provides an in-depth discussion of fundamental physiological and developmental processes regulated by proteases, from protein turnover and autophagy to antigen processing and presentation and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Moving on from basic biology, international chapter authors examine a range of pathological conditions associated with proteolysis, including inflammation, wound healing, and cancer. Later chapters discuss the newly discovered network of connected events among proteases (and their inhibitors), the so-called ‘protease web’, and how best to study it. This book also empowers new research with up-to-date analytical methods and step-by-step protocols for studying proteolytic signaling events. Examines biological events triggered by proteolytic enzyme activity across human development and pathologies Discusses the role of proteolytic signaling in inflammation, wound healing, and cancer, among other disease types Features methods and protocols supporting further study of proteolytic signaling events Includes chapter contributions from international leaders in the field

Over the last decades cell biology and biological chemistry have increasingly turned their attention to the space between cells and revealed an elaborate network of macromolecules essential for structural support, cell adhesion and signaling. This comprehensive handbook of the extracellular matrix will give an overview of the current state of knowledge of matrix components (structure and function), their role in heath and disease (matrix pathobiology) and new aspects related to pharmacological targeting. It will provide an introduction to the extracellular matrix and detailed sections and chapters on: Importance of extracellular matrix in health and disease Matrix proteoglycans (aggrecan, versican, perlecan, SLRPs, syndecans, glypicans, serglycin) Matrix proteinases (remodeling, would healing, regulatory roles in health and disease, metalloproteinases, cystein proteases, plasmin and plasminogen activator system) Glycobiology (hyaluronan and sulfated glycosaminoglycans in cancer, inflammation and metabolic control) Collagens (supramolecular assembly, proteins binding collagen, scaffolds, bacterial and mutated collagens, procollagen proteinases) Cell surface receptors (integrins, syndecans, mechanical strain and TGFb, CD44 and DDR). Biotechnological and pharmacological outlook (matrix regulation by growth factors, hyaluronidases, pathobiology, disease targeting, delivery systems, EMT and proteomics). "The book Extracellular Matrix: Pathobiology and Signaling provides a comprehensive and up to date collection of very relevant topics for understanding the various facets of extracellular matrix and its interactions with cells in normal tissue as well as in disease. It represents the current front-line and will serve as a reference for extracellular matrix and posttranslational modifications." Dick Heinegård, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Section Rheumatology, Lund University, Sweden

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an ensemble of non-cellular components present within all tissues and organs of the human body. The ECM provides structural support for scaffolding cellular constituents and biochemical and biomechanical support for those events leading to tissue morphogenesis, differentiation and homeostasis. Essential components of all ECMs are water, proteins and polysaccharides. However, their composition, architecture and bioactivity greatly vary from tissue to tissue in relation to the specific role the ECM is required to assume. This book overviews the role of the ECM in different tissues and organs of the human body.

It is now well known that proteases are found everywhere, in viruses and bacteria as well as in all human, animal and plant cells, and play a role in a variety of biological functions ranging from digestion, fertilization, development to senescence and death. Under physiological conditions the ability of proteases is regulated by endogenous inhibitors. However, when the activity of proteases is not regulated appropriately, disease processes can result, as seen in Alzheimer’s disease, cancer metastasis and tumor progression, inflammation and atherosclerosis. Thus it is evident that there is an absolute need for a tighter control of proteolytic activities in different cells and tissues. Aimed at graduate students and researchers with an interest in cellular proteolytic events, Role of Proteases in Cellular Dysfunctions is the second book on Proteases in this series. The book consists of three parts in specified topics based on current literatures for a better understanding for the readers with respect to their subject-wise interests. The first section of this book covers a brief idea about the neuronal disorders and the involvement of proteases such as calpains, caspases and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs). The second section covers the deadly disease cancer and its relation to ubiquitin-proteasome system, MMPs and serine proteases. The last section is about the role of proteases such as calpains, MMPs and serine protease as well as urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) in causing cardiovascular defects.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, this book describes the biochemical mechanisms associated with dysregulation of proteases and the resulting pathophysiological consequences. It highlights the role and regulation of different types of proteases as well as their synthetic and endogenous inhibitors. The role of proteases was initially thought to be limited to general metabolic digestion. However, we now know that the role of protein breakdown is much more complex, and proteases have multiple functions: they are coupled to turnover and can affect protein composition, function and synthesis. In addition to eliminating abnormal proteins, breakdown has many modulatory functions, including activating and inactivating enzymes, modulating membrane function, altering receptor channel properties, affecting transcription and cell cycles and forming active peptides. The ubiquity of proteases in nature makes them an important target for drug development. This in-depth, comprehensive is a valuable resource for researchers involved in identifying new targets for drug development. With its multidisciplinary scope, it bridges the gap between fundamental and translational research in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, making it thought-provoking reading for scientists in the field.

The Encyclopedia of Cell Biology, Four Volume Set offers a broad overview of cell biology, offering reputable, foundational content for researchers and students across the biological and medical sciences. This important work includes 285 articles from domain experts covering every aspect of cell biology, with fully annotated figures, abundant illustrations, videos, and references for further reading. Each entry is built with a layered approach to the content, providing basic information for those new to the area and more detailed material for the more experienced researcher. With authored contributions by experts in the field, the Encyclopedia of Cell Biology provides a fully cross-referenced, one-stop resource for students, researchers, and teaching faculty across the biological and medical sciences. Fully annotated color images and videos for full comprehension of concepts, with layered content for readers from different levels of experience Includes information on cytokinesis, cell biology, cell mechanics, cytoskeleton dynamics, stem cells, prokaryotic cell biology, RNA biology, aging, cell growth, cell Injury, and more In-depth linking to Academic Press/Elsevier content and additional links to outside websites and resources for further reading A one-stop resource for students, researchers, and teaching faculty across the biological and medical sciences

This book bridges the gap between fundamental research and biomedical and pharmacological applications on proteases. It represents a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted field of proteases in cellular environment and highlights the recently elucidated functions of complex proteolytic systems in different diseases. Several established investigators have elucidated the crucial role of proteases in biological processes, including how proteolytic function and regulation can be combined to develop new strategies of therapeutic interventions. Proteases form one of the largest and most diverse families of enzymes known. It is now clear that proteases are involved in every aspect of life functions of an organism. Under physiological conditions, proteases are regulated by their endogenous inhibitors; however, when the activity of proteases is not regulated appropriately, disease processes can result in. So, there is absolute need for a stringent control of proteolytic activities in cells and tissues. Dysregulation of proteases may cause derangement of cellular signalling network resulting in different pathophysiological conditions such as vascular remodelling, atherosclerotic plaque progression, ulcer and rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer disease, cancer metastasis, tumor progression and inflammation. Additionally, many infective microorganisms require proteases for replication or use proteases as virulence factors, which have facilitated the development of protease-targeted therapies for a variety of parasitic diseases.

In order to complete tissue regeneration, various cells such as neuronal, skeletal, smooth, endothelial, and immune (e.g., macrophage) interact smoothly with each other. This book, Muscle Cells and Tissues, offers a wide range of topics such as stem cells, cell culture, biomaterials, epigenetics, therapeutics, and the creation of tissues and organs. Novel applications for cell and tissue engineering including cell therapy, tissue models, and disease pathology modeling are discussed. The book also deals with the functional role of autophagy in modulating muscle homeostasis and molecular mechanism regulating skeletal muscle mass. The chapters can be interesting for graduate students, postdocs, teachers, physicians, and for executives in biotech and pharmaceutical companies, as well as researchers in the fields of molecular biology and regenerative medicine.