Signal transduction comprises the intracellular biochemical signals which induce the appropriate cell response to an external stimulus. The players in signal transduction are diverse, from small molecules as first messengers, to proteins, receptors, transcription factors, among many others. The different signaling pathways and the crosstalk between them originates the unique signaling profile of every cell type in the human body. The cell signaling specificity depends on several aspects including protein composition, subcellular localization and complexes and gene promoters. This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the specific signaling pathways on a variety of human tissues. This information can be of great value for health science researchers, professionals and students to understand key pathways for tissue-specific functions in the plethora of signals, signals receptors, transducers and effectors. Chapter 3 and 15 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.
Hyperandrogenism profoundly affects women’s lives from lowering self-esteem to changing cognition and affective motivation. The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common androgen excess disorder worldwide. While it is not the focus of this book, some aspects are discussed. The aim of this book is to improve understanding of androgen excess and its impact on several conditions. Topics include development of adipose tissue in females, insulin sensitivity, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and Cushing’s disease/syndrome. There is also a discussion of PCOS with emphasis on in utero origins and specific genetic and epigenetic factors. This book provides a wealth of relevant information for every endocrinologist and gynecologist who wants to broaden their knowledge of androgens in various conditions.
Biochemistry of Lipids: Lipoproteins and Membranes, Volume Six, contains concise chapters that cover a wide spectrum of topics in the field of lipid biochemistry and cell biology. It provides an important bridge between broad-based biochemistry textbooks and more technical research publications, offering cohesive, foundational information. It is a valuable tool for advanced graduate students and researchers who are interested in exploring lipid biology in more detail, and includes overviews of lipid biology in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, while also providing fundamental background on the subsequent descriptions of fatty acid synthesis, desaturation and elongation, and the pathways that lead the synthesis of complex phospholipids, sphingolipids, and their structural variants. Also covered are sections on how bioactive lipids are involved in cell signaling with an emphasis on disease implications and pathological consequences. - Serves as a general reference book for scientists studying lipids, lipoproteins and membranes and as an advanced and up-to-date textbook for teachers and students who are familiar with the basic concepts of lipid biochemistry - References from current literature will be included in each chapter to facilitate more in-depth study - Key concepts are supported by figures and models to improve reader understanding - Chapters provide historical perspective and current analysis of each topic
UNLEASH THE POWER OF LEPTINWhen the hormone leptin blinds with receptors in your brain, it shuts down your appetite and speeds up your metabolism! FINALLY A DIET THAT WILL WORK FOR YOUOn the Leptin Boost Diet, you will correct the hormonal imbalances that have made it impossible to lose weight on other diets and:•Develop a lean body•Maintain a healthy weight•Feel more energetic•Elevate your mood•Experience restful sleep•Sharpen your mental focusEND CRAVINGS AND STOP FEELING HUNGRYWhen short of leptin, your brain mistakenly thinks your body is starving and sends signals telling you to eat more. The Leptin Boost Diet reserves both leptin deficiency in the bloodstream and leptin resistance in the brain, ensuring that you will finally feel full and stop overeating.
Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Abdominal Obesity focuses on the important roles that exercise, dietary changes, and foods play in promoting as well as reducing visceral fat. Nutritionists, dieticians, and healthcare providers seeking to address the abdominal obesity epidemic will use this comprehensive resource as a tool in their long-term goal of preventing chronic diseases, especially heart, vascular, and diabetic diseases. Experts from a broad range of disciplines are involved in dealing with the consequences of excessive abdominal fat: cardiology, diabetes research, studies of lipids, endocrinology and metabolism, nutrition, obesity, and exercise physiology. They have contributed chapters that define a range of dietary approaches to reducing risk and associated chronic diseases. They begin by defining visceral obesity and its major outcomes; they also discuss the importance and the challenges of dietary approaches to reduce abdominal obesity, as compared to clinical approaches, with major costs and risks. - Offers detailed, well-documented reviews outlining the various dietary approaches to visceral obesity with their benefits and failures - Includes chapters on types of foods, exercise, and supplements in reducing obesity and its chronic clinical companions, especially diabetes and cardiovascular disease - Helps nutritionists, dieticians, and healthcare providers approach patients in making decision about nutritional therapies and clinical treatments for abdominal obesity, from an evidence-based perspective
By stimulating adrenal gland and corticosteroid synthesis, the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) plays a central role in response to stress. In this Research Topic, a particular attention has been given to the recent developments on adrenocortical zonation; the growth-promoting activities of ACTH; the various steps involved in acute and chronic regulation of steroid secretion by ACTH, including the effect of ACTH on circadian rhythms of glucocorticoid secretion. The Research Topic also reviews progress and challenges surrounding the properties of ACTH binding to the MC2 receptor (MC2R), including the importance of melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP) in MC2R expression and function, the various intracellular signaling cascades, which involve not only protein kinase A, the key mediator of ACTH action, but also phosphatases, phosphodiesterases, ion channels and the cytoskeleton. The importance of the proteins involved in the cell detoxification is also considered, in particular the effect that ACTH has on protection against reactive oxygen species generated during steroidogenesis. The impact of the cellular microenvironment, including local production of ACTH is discussed, both as an important factor in the maintenance of homeostasis, but also in pathological situations, such as severe inflammation. Finally, the Research Topic reviews the role that the pituitary-adrenal axis may have in the development of metabolic disorders. In addition to mutations or alterations of expression of genes encoding components of the steroidogenesis and signaling pathways, chronic stress and sleep disturbance are both associated with hyperactivity of the adrenal gland. A resulting effect is increased glucocorticoid secretion inducing food intake and weight gain, which, in turn, leads to insulin and leptin resistance. These aspects are described in detail in this Research Topic by key investigators in the field. Many of the aspects addressed in this Research Topic still represent a stimulus for future studies, their outcome aimed at providing evidence of the central position occupied by the adrenal cortex in many metabolic functions when its homeostasis is disrupted. An in-depth investigation of the mechanisms underlying these pathways will be invaluable in developing new therapeutic tools and strategies.
This timely and most comprehensive reference available on the topic covers all the different aspects vital in the fight against the global obesity epidemic. Following a look at adipose tissue development and morphology, the authors go on to examine its metabolic and endocrine functions and its role in disease. The final section deals with comparative and evolutionary aspects of the tissue. The result is an essential resource for cell and molecular biologists, physiologists, biochemists, pharmacologists, and those working in the pharmaceutical industry.
First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. In the early days of the Serial, the subjects of vitamins and hormones were quite distinct. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology, and enzyme mechanisms. Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines.*First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is AP's longest running serial*Each volume contains cutting edge reviews by leading contributors
