A uniform treatment of the four protease groups and a discussion of the differences and similarities in their action is presented in this important new publication. Serine, cysteine, aspartate, and zinc proteases are systematically discussed by nomenclature, evolution, specificity and their regulatory role. The chemistry of the peptide bond, including the catalysis of ester and peptide hydrolyses, is explained. For each protease group the emphasis is placed on the structure and function. Kinetics, enzyme modifications, isotope effects, subzero temperature investigations, nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, X-ray diffraction data, binding of transition-state analogs, zymogen activation, and site-specific mutagenesis are combined to rationalize the action of proteases. Both natural and synthetic inhibitors are considered because of their importance in mechanistic studies and drug design.

Cancer-Leading Proteases: Structures, Functions, and Inhibition presents a detailed discussion on the role of proteases as drug targets and how they have been utilized to develop anticancer drugs. Proteases possess outstanding diversity in their functions. Because of their unique properties, proteases are a major focus of attention for the pharmaceutical industry as potential drug targets or as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This book covers the structure and functions of proteases and the chemical and biological rationale of drug design relating to how these proteases can be exploited to find useful chemotherapeutics to fight cancers. In addition, the book encompasses the experimental and theoretical aspects of anticancer drug design based on proteases. It is a useful resource for pharmaceutical scientists, medicinal chemists, biochemists, microbiologists, and cancer researchers working on proteases.

Genetic Mechanisms of Development is a compilation of articles that surveys the application of genetic systems of analysis to the resolution of fundamental problems in developmental biology. The book is composed of sections that deal with various aspects of genetic mechanisms. The first section tackles the genetic analysis of gene regulation in microorganisms. The second section discusses the application of Mendelian genetics to the study of the development of Drosophila, amphibians, and the laboratory mouse. The last section introduces somatic cell genetics, a tool for developmental biologists. Biologists, geneticists, zoologists, and researchers will find the book a good source of information.

The explosion of the field of genetics over the last decade, with the new technologies that have stimulated research, suggests that a new sort of reference work is needed to keep pace with such a fast-moving and interdisciplinary field. Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics, Second Edition, Seven Volume Set, builds on the foundation of the first edition by addressing many of the key subfields of genetics that were just in their infancy when the first edition was published. The currency and accessibility of this foundational content will be unrivalled, making this work useful for scientists and non-scientists alike. Featuring relatively short entries on genetics topics written by experts in that topic, Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics, Second Edition, Seven Volume Set provides an effective way to quickly learn about any aspect of genetics, from Abortive Transduction to Zygotes. Adding to its utility, the work provides short entries that briefly define key terms, and a guide to additional reading and relevant websites for further study. Many of the entries include figures to explain difficult concepts. Key terms in related areas such as biochemistry, cell, and molecular biology are also included, and there are entries that describe historical figures in genetics, providing insights into their careers and discoveries. This 7-volume set represents a 25% expansion from the first edition, with over 1600 articles encompassing this burgeoning field Thoroughly up-to-date, with many new topics and subfields covered that were in their infancy or not inexistence at the time of the first edition. Timely coverage of emergent areas such as epigenetics, personalized genomic medicine, pharmacogenetics, and genetic enhancement technologies Interdisciplinary and global in its outlook, as befits the field of genetics Brief articles, written by experts in the field, which not only discuss, define, and explain key elements of the field, but also provide definition of key terms, suggestions for further reading, and biographical sketches of the key people in the history of genetics