Phosphatases, such as TNAP are fundamental in regulating the roles of cellular, and consequently numerous body functions. TNAP is a ubiquitous enzyme with a wide spectrum of substrates and specificity. Regulation at the cellular level and the lack of TNAP activity is a lethal condition. Recent findings of a highly specific regional, laminar and subcellular localization of TNAP in the cerebral cortex indicates that in addition to its metabolic and skeletal functions, TNAP also plays a role in regulating cerebral functions, most probably cognition. In fact, TNAP disturbance could result in complex diseases such as epilepsy, developmental retardation and Alzheimer's disease. Available data suggest that, regarding brain functions, TNAP is a potentially important target of clinical research. This book aims to provide an overview of our current understanding of the functions of TNAP in the brain and on other tissues and organs.

Driving further the research on mammalian alkaline phosphatase structure and function, Phosphatase Modulators collects expert contributions into one “how to” manual for basic scientists interested in initiating a drug discovery effort. While this book contains the traditional method chapters and some typical reviews on the structure and known functions of phosphatases, other contributions are meant to discuss approaches and alternatives useful in making “go/no-go” decisions in high throughput screening (HTS) and lead optimization campaigns. Many chapters focus on tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) as well as protein phosphatases. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters in this volume include the kind of detail and key implementation advice that promotes reproducible results. Step-by-step and practical, Phosphatase Modulators offers a path to understanding many of the facets and complexities associated with undertaking a drug discovery effort and will serve as a roadmap to initiating those efforts.

A review and discussion of new knowledge on the structure and function of mammalian alkaline phosphatases (APs) gained over the last 25 years. It covers: * The structure, regulation and expression of the AP genes * The three-dimensional structure of APs and mutagenesis work that further defined the structural/functional domains of the isozymes * The phenotypic abnormalities of the different AP knockout mice * Our current understanding of the in vivo role of the AP isozymes. The book also describes the possible use of APs as therapeutic agents and therapeutic targets and the many uses of these enzymes in clinical medicine and in biotechnology.

Therapeutic enzymes exhibit fascinating features and opportunities, and represent a significant and promising subcategory of modern biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of several severe diseases. Research and drug developments efforts and the advancements in biotechnology over the past twenty years have greatly assisted the introduction of efficient and safe enzyme-based therapies for a range of both rare and common disorders. The introduction and regulatory approval of twenty different recombinant enzymes has enabled effective enzyme-replacement therapy. This volume aims to overview these therapeutic enzymes, focusing in particular on more recently approved enzymes produced by recombinant DNA technology. This volume is composed of four sections. Section 1 provides an overview of the production process and biochemical characterization of therapeutic enzymes, while Section 2 focuses upon the engineering strategies and delivery methods of therapeutic enzymes. Section 3 highlights the clinical applications of approved therapeutic enzymes, including aspects on their structure, indications and mechanisms of action. Together with information on these mechanisms, safety and immunogenicity issues and various adverse events of the recombinant enzymes used for therapy are discussed. Section 4, provides discussion on the prospective and future developments of new therapeutic enzymes. This book is aimed at academics, researchers and students undertaking advanced undergraduate/postgraduate programs in the biopharmaceutical/biotechnology area who wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of enzyme-based therapeutic molecules.

Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases: Advances in Research and Application: 2011 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ eBook that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases. The editors have built Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases: Advances in Research and Application: 2011 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases in this eBook to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases: Advances in Research and Application: 2011 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

The aim of the Handbooks in Practical Animal Cell Biology is to provide practical workbooks for those involved in primary cell culture. Each volume addresses a different cell lineage, and contains an introductory section followed by individual chapters on the culture of specific differentiated cell types. The authors of each chapter are leading researchers in their fields and use their first-hand experience to present reliable techniques in a clear and thorough manner. Endothelial Cell Culture contains chapters on endothelial cells derived from 1) lung, 2) bone marrow, 3) brain, 4) mammary glands, 5) skin, 6) adipose tissue, 7) female reproductive system, and 8) synovium.