Endothelin: Molecular Biology, Physiology, and Pathology

by Robert F. Highsmith (Editor)

Overview

A unique, integrated collection of original contributions on the molecular biology, physiology, and pathology of endothelin. Leading academic, clinical, and industrial researchers summarize the dramatic recent progress in endothelin research and indicate the optimal direction of future studies. The contributors produce a critical evaluation of endothelin chemistry and pharmacology, its mechanism of action, and its physiological functions. The book is certain to become the new standard reference source for both basic scientists and informed clinicians who want a clear idea of the roles endothelin may play in cardiovascular physiology and pathology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781617370359
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	11/09/2010
Series:	Contemporary Biomedicine
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 1998
Pages:	274
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.35(d)

Table of Contents

Ch. 1. Endothelin Receptor Subtypes and Tissue Distribution.- CH. 2. Molecular Biology of the Endothelin Receptors.- CH. 3. Molecular Biology of Endothelin-Converting Enzyme (ECE).- CH. 4. Endothelin Receptor-Signaling Mechanisms in Vascular Smooth Muscle.- CH. 5. Mechanisms of Endothelin-Induced Mitogenesis in Vascular Smooth Muscle.- CH. 6. The Renal and Systemic Hemodynamic Actions of Endothelin.- CH. 7. The Development of Specific Endothelin-Receptor Antagonists.- CH. 8. Pathophysiological Role of Endothelin and Potential Therapeutic Targets for Receptor Antagonists.

Editorial Reviews

This is a collection of reviews on selected topics in endothelin research. The book includes reviews on the endothelin receptors, converting enzymes, signal transduction, mitogenesis, receptor antagonists, and possible therapeutic targets of the antagonists. The purpose of the book is to review selected areas of endothelin research. Although the chapters are informative, well-illustrated, and well-referenced, some important areas of endothelin research have been omitted, raising the question of how the topics were selected. Studies of mice with homozygous deletions of the ET1, ET3, ETA receptor, and ETB receptor have been very enlightening regarding the function of endothelin during development, but they are mentioned only briefly in the final chapter of the book. The knockout mice are not listed at all in the index. Another omission is information on the crystal structures of endothelins or endothelin receptors. There is an extensive chapter on structure-function studies of the endothelin receptors, but there is no mention as to whether the receptors have been crystallized. The book is intended for basic scientists and physician-scientists. One chapter of the book reviews the topic of endothelin mitogenic effect on cells. This chapter is particularly useful since reviews of this aspect of endothelin research are rare. All of the chapters include current references and are written by researchers in the endothelin field. While the scope of this book is limited, the contents do provide useful reviews on several aspects of endothelin research. I recommend this book to libraries serving basic scientists and clinicians with an interest in vascular biology.

Karen Buchkovich

"The book is well structured, with the subjects dealt with in a logical and well-defined manneer...Each of the chapters are well referenced, thus providing a good starting point for those who wish to delve deeper into the field." - Cell Biology International

From the Publisher