Receptors and recognition / Series B. Vol. 1., The specificity and action of animal, bacterial and plant toxins / edited by P. Cuatrecasas

Cellular recognition -the process by which cells interact with, and respond to, molecular signals in their environment -plays a crucial role in virtually aii important biologica! functions. These encompass fertili• zation, infectious interactions, embryonic development, the activity of the nervous system, the regulation of growth and metabolism by hormones and the immune response to foreign antigens. Although our knowledge of these systems has grown rapidly in recent years, it is clear that a full understanding of cellular recognition phenomena will require an integrated and multidisciplinary approach. This series aims to expedite such an understanding by bringing together accounts by leading researchers of ali biochemical, cellular and evolutionary aspects of recognition syste'ms. The series will contain volumes of two types. Firstly, there will be volumes containing about five reviews from different areas of the general subject written at a level suitable for ali biologically oriented scientists (Receptors and Recognition, series A). Secondly, there will be more specialized volumes, (Receptors and Recognition, series B), each of which will be devoted to just one particularly important area. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Cholera Toxin: Membrane Gangliosides and Activation of Adenylate Cyclase....Pages 1-66 Inhibition of Protein Synthesis by Exotoxins from Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ....Pages 67-98 Colicin E3 and Related Bacteriocins: Penetration of the Bacterial Surface and Mechanism of Ribosomal Inactivation....Pages 99-127 Abrin, Ricin, and their Associated Agglutinins....Pages 129-173 Tetanus Toxin Structure as a Basis for Elucidating its Immunological and Neuropharmacological Activities....Pages 175-218 Cell Membranes and Cytolytic Bacterial Toxins....Pages 219-270 Presynaptic Actions of Botulinum Toxin and β-Bungarotoxin....Pages 271-295 Batrachotoxin, a Selective Probe for Channels Modulating Sodium Conductances in Electrogenic Membranes....Pages 297-338 Back Matter....Pages 339-345