Apoptosis is currently one of the fastest moving fields in biology with spectacular progress made over the past few years in delineating the molecular It is now indisputable that apoptosis mechanisms which underlie this process. plays an essential role in normal cell physiology and that aberrant apoptosis can manifest itself in a variety of human disorders. Published in two parts (Volumes 23 and 24 of the series entitled Results and Problems in Cell Differen tiation), this is an attempt to bring together many different aspects of apoptosis. Given that this is such a vast and rapidly expanding field, it is almost impossible to cover everything that is now known about apoptosis in two short books, but 1 hope these volumes prove to be a guidepost, providing basic essential information on the biology and molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and its implications in some human diseases. As a significant am o unt of new information on apoptosis is emerging every week, it is unrealistic to expect that by the time these two books are published, all the articles will deliver up-to-date information. Nevertheless, 1 believe that the fundamentals of the apoptotic phenomenon are now firmly in place and are discussed at length in various chapters. Readers may find a small degree of overlap between some chapters. This was unavoidable since closely related areas of apoptosis research have been covered by more than one author.

This book gives a broad overview of apoptosis, with particular reference to its biology and mechanisms.

Klappentext

The past few years have seen rapid progress in apoptosis research. This volume deals with many of the recent advances made in uncovering the molecular and cellular basis of apoptosis, with particular emphasis to the role of apoptosis in normal biological processes and the mechanisms involved. BRThe articles published in this volume are written by leading experts in the field and should be a vital resource for researchers in biomedicine.

Inhalt
A Personal Account of Events Leading to the Definition of the Apoptosis Concept.- Molecular Mechanisms of Apoptosis: An Overview.- The Death Receptors.- Lipid and Glycolipid Mediators in CD95-Induced Apoptotic Signaling.- Lymphocyte-Mediated Cytolysis: Dual Apoptotic Mechanisms with Overlapping Cytoplasmic and Nuclear Signalling Pathways.- Granule-Mediated Cytotoxity.- The Cell Cycle and Apoptosis.- The p53 Tumor Suppressor Gene: Structure, Function and Mechanism of Action.- The Bd-2 Protein Family.- Apoptosis and the Proteasome.