This book is the first comprehensive volume on the Nramp family, highlighting the physiological importance of Nramp proteins as metal transporters. The molecular knowledge of these membrane proteins is presented from an evolutionary perspective, considering Nramp cellular function and mechanism of transport in key model organisms. The pathological significance of Nramp genetic polymorphism is discussed with emphasis on metal homeostasis and microbial infection. The chapters were contributed by leading investigators, providing a timely state of the art book in this rapidly growing field.

The Nramp Family will be useful to a broad community of scientists interested in metal transport and molecular biology. It will be of interest to the research audience in the broad fields of metal ions and molecular medicine.

Inhalt

Preface.- Mouse Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage.- Protein 1 (Nramp1): A Key Player in Host Innate Immunity Against Infections.- Genetic Susceptibility to Infectious Diseases Linked to NRAMP1 Gene in Farm Animals.- The NRAMP Genes and Human Susceptibility to Common Diseases.- Pleiotropic Effects of Nramp (Bcg/Lsh/Ity) Gene Expression on Macrophage Functions.- Role of Nramp Family in Pro-Inflammatory Diseases.- Role of Nramp2 (DMT1) in Iron Homeostasis.- Molecular Physiology of the H+-coupled Iron Transporter DMT1.- Cellular and Tissue Expression of Rat DMT1 / Nramp 2.- Tissue Distribution and Subcellular Localization of Nramp Proteins.- Plant Metal Transporters with Homology to Proteins of the NRAMP Family.- The Role of Yeast Nramp Metal Transporters in Manganese and Iron Homeostasis.- Metal-ion Transporters.- From Yeast to Human.- Regulation of Bacterial MntH Genes.- Manganese and Iron Transport by Prokaryotic Nramp Family Transporters.- Role of the Nramp Orthologue, MntH, in the Virulence of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.- Molecular Evolutionary Analysis of the Nramp Family.- Index.