Signaling within and between cells is one of the most important aspects of modern biochemistry and cell biology. An understanding of signalling pathways is vital to a wide range of biologists, from those who are investigating the causes of cancer, to those who are concerned about the impact of environmental pollutants on the ecosystem. The way cells adapt to changing environments, and the way cell dysfunction causes disease, is underpinned by cell signalling events.

 

Cell Signalling presents a carefully structured and highly accessible introduction to this intricate and rapidly growing field. Starting with an overview of cell signalling and highlighting its importance in many biological systems, the book goes on to explore the key components of extracellular and intracellular signalling mechanisms, before examining how these components come together to create signalling pathways. A focus on common components and concepts, rather than mechanistic detail, allows the reader to gain a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin cell signalling.

Part 1. An overview of signalling

An introduction to cellular signalling

Pathways are the key to signalling

A look at some of the history and techniques of cell signalling

Part 2. Components that comprise signalling pathways

Extracellular signals: hormones, cytokines and growth factors

Detection of extracellular signals: the role of receptors

Protein phosphorylation, kinases and phosphatases

Cyclic nucleotides, cyclases and G proteins

Inositol phosphate metabolism and roles of membrane lipids

Intracellular calcium ions: control of their concentrations and roles in signalling

Reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species and redox signalling

Part 3. Selected examples of signalling pathways and events

Insulin and the signal transduction cascades it invokes

Perception of the environment

Signalling in development and for the regulation of gene expression

Life, death and apoptosis

Part 4. Final thoughts

Cell signalling: importance, complexity and the future