Vitamins and hormones : advances in research and applications. Volume 53, Cell death proteins

Cell death is one of the fundamental processes by which normal development is modulated, and the importance of both necrosis and apoptosis in a number of pathologies has generated intense interest from researchers in many fields. This timely book covers both the proteins that are produced by dying cells and the proteins that signal cells to initiate cell death. Cell Death Proteins provides an overview of the explosive interest in cellular death. Six review papers, written by researchers at the forefront of this rapidly moving field, focus on proteins that promote, signal, and inhibit cell death. Major players involved in the cell death cascade and its controls are covered, including cell cycle checkpoints, the function of interleukin-1J converting enzyme, the role of IGF-I receptor, the Bcl-2 family of proteins, viral inhibitors of apoptosis, and p53-dependent apoptosis. Annotation 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. Now, new discoveries have proved that several of the vitamins function as hormones and many of the substances inferred by the title of the Serial function in signal transduction processes. Accordingly, the Editor-in-Chief has expanded the scope of the serial to reflect this newer understanding of function-structure relationships in cellular communication. 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. This 54th volume of Vitamins and Hormones includes reviews that deal with gene regulation and signal transduction relating to nutrition, insulin action, and the steroid receptor gene family. The contributors include leading international authorities Content: Editorial Board Page ii Edited by Page iii Copyright page Page iv Former Editors Page v Preface Page xi Gerald Litwack Cell Cycle Checkpoints and Apoptosis: Potential for Improving Radiation Therapy Original Research Article Pages 1-25 Ruth J. Muschel, W. Gillies Mckenna, Eric J. Bernhard Structure and Function of Interleukin-1β Converting Enzyme Original Research Article Pages 27-63 Michael J. Tocci The Role of the IGF-I Receptor in Apoptosis Original Research Article Pages 65-98 Renato Baserga, Mariana Resnicoff, Consuelo D'Ambrosio, Barbara Valentinis Bcl-2 Family Proteins and the Hormonal Control of Cell Life and Death in Normalcy and Neoplasia Original Research Article Pages 99-138 John C. Reed Pathways of p53-Dependent Apoptosis Original Research Article Pages 139-173 Luigi Grasso, W. Edward Mercer Viral Inhibitors of Apoptosis Original Research Article Pages 175-193 Anthony G. Uren, David L. Vaux Index Pages 195-198 This volume studies cell death, and includes new discoveries concerning proteins that are produced by dying cells as well as the proteins that signal cells to iniate cell death. Current understanding of the events leading to cell death, including the induction of apoptosis, has suggested new approaches for enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapy.