Amphibian Metamorphosis : From Morphology to Molecular Biology

In an age when advanced molecular and genetic tools allow studies in various systems, amphibian metamorphosis still offers perhaps the most accessible model for the study of postembryonic organogenesis and mechanisms of hormonal regulation during vertebrate development. Amphibian Metamorphosis: From Morphology to Molecular Biology integrates findings from the most recent research with earlier observations, providing molecular and mechanistic insights into the signal transduction pathways underlying tissue-specific transformations during metamorphosis. The author, renowned expert of anuran metamorphosis and Head of the Unit of Molecular Morphogenesis at NICHD/NIH, begins with an overview of metamorphosis in different classes of amphibians and various factors that influence this process. A review of earlier morphological, cellular, and biochemical changes focuses on organs and tissues that have been studied extensively at the molecular level, while discussion of the thyroid hormone signal transduction pathway emphasizes transcriptional regulation mechanisms by thyroid receptors. The book provides a summary and comparison of gene regulation programs induced by thyroid hormone in several organs that undergo distinct metamorphic transformations. Several chapters are devoted to functional and mechanistic implications of the molecular findings on the thyroid hormone response genes in tissue transformation. Special features of this book include: * An emphasis on integrating the morphological approach with molecularand cell biology * A historical perspective on the progression from discovery of the thyroid hormone to present-day research advances * Comparisons of amphibian and insect metamorphosis * Dozens of instructive photographs, several in full color Amphibian Metamorphosis: From Morphology to Molecular Biology is a unique and invaluable resource for professionals and aspiring professionals in develop-mental biology, molecular biology, cell biology, evolutionary biology, and endocrinology. Metamorphosis is a first rate example of post embryonic development, with research into the area integrating molecular biology, cell biology, and developmental biology. This book discusses amphibian development with an emphasis on integrating morphological approach with molecular and cell biology. Included are chapters on hormonal regulation, morphological changes, biochemical and cellular changes, mechanisms of thyroid action, gene regulation by thyroid hormone and functional aspects. "In an age when advanced molecular and generic tools allow studies in various systems, amphibian metamorphosis still offers perhaps the most accessible model for the study of postembryonic organogenesis and mechanisms of hormonal regulation during vertebrate development. Amphibian Metamorphosis: From Morphology to Molecular Biology integrates findings from the most recent research with earlier observations, providing molecular and mechanistic insights into the signal transduction pathways underlying tissue-specific transformations during metamorphosis.". "Amphibian Metamorphosis: From Morphology to Molecular Biology is a unique and invaluable resource for professionals and aspiring professionals in developmental biology, molecular biology, cell biology, evolutionary biology, and endocrinology."--BOOK JACKET. The study of metamorphosis in amphibians is of broad interest to students and scientists in developmental biology and evolution. Dr. Shi discusses hormonal regulation, morphological changes, biochemical and cellular changes, mechanisms of thyroid action, gene regulation by thyroid hormone, functional aspects, and an important chapter on comparisons with insect metamorphosis. The central theme of developmental biology has been to understand how the fertilization of a single cell, the egg, gives rise to a complex organism.