The cytoskeleton is made up of a large variety of specialized proteins and is a highly dynamic system that is involved in the majority of key cellular events. It is now clear that the cytoskeleton is often associated, and has diverse roles in human disease. Emerging understanding of the molecular and cellular events that drive cytoskeletal mediated disease including cancer, heart disease, myopathies, neurodegenerative diseases and skin disorders, are also helping shape targeted therapeutic approaches to treat these diseases.

Cytoskeleton and Human Disease Book Summary reviews the key components, mechanisms and clinical implications of cytoskeletal defects in disease. Contributed by leading investigators in their respective fields, the chapters include topics associated with the basics of the cytoskeleton, actin-associated disease states, microtubule-associated disease states and intermediate filament-associated disease states.

This authoritative volume is intended for a wide audience of clinicians, researchers and students with an interest in the application of biomedical research to the understanding and management of disease states associated with the cytoskeleton.

Autorentext
Maria Kavallaris, Ph.D. is Head of the Tumour Biology and Targeting Program and a National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellow at the Children's Cancer Institute Australia. She also holds appointments as Director of the Australian Centre for Nanomedicine and Professor at the University of New South Wales. Maria has made fundamental contributions in identifying mechanisms of action and resistance to anticancer drugs that target tubulin and discovering new cytoskeleton interactions in cell division and tumor formation. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of New South Wales and undertook her postdoctoral studies as an International Agency for Cancer Research Fellow at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. She has served on numerous grant review panels, scientific advisory committees, pharmaceutical advisory boards and is a past President of the Australian Society for Medical Research. Maria is a Director of the Australian Institute for Policy and Science.

Zusammenfassung
The cytoskeleton is comprised of a variety of specialized proteins, and is a dynamic structure that is involved in the majority of key cellular events. There is increasing interest in the role of the cytoskeleton in human disease. This volume brings together human disease states where cytoskeletal disruptions are driving disease. Our emerging understanding of the molecular and cellular events that drive cytoskeletal mediated diseases including cancer, heart disease, myopathies and skin disorders, are also helping shape targeted therapeutic approaches to treating these diseases.

Inhalt
Actin.- Microtubules.- The Kinesin Superfamily.- Myosins.- The Actin Cytoskeleton and Membrane Organisation in T Lymphocytes*.-* Thin Filament Disease of Stricted Muscle.- Filamin and disease.- LIMK and Cancer Metastasis.- Actin Mutations and Deafness.- Therapeutic Targeting of the Actin Cytoskeleton.- Microtubules as a Target in Cancer Therapy.- Microtubules and drug resistance.- Posttranslational Modifications of Tubulin.- Stathmin and Cancer.- The Biology and Pathobiology of Tau Protein.- Tubulin-Related Malformations of Cortical Development.- Spectrins in Human Diseases.- Laminopathies.- Desmin and Heart Disease.- Neurodegenerative Diseases and Intermediate Filaments.