In this volume of papers research findings on vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), and related peptides are presented. The authors provide information on the biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, signal transduction mechanisms, and pharmacology of these peptides. Their roles in neurobiology, cell proliferation and tumorogenesis, inflammation and tissue injury, endocrinology, gastrointestinal function, and other topics are discussed, along with clinical and potential therapeutic implications.

Recent research findings on vascular intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary adenyl cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), and other members of the secretin/glucagon family of peptides are reported by leaders in the field. The role of these peptides in the regulation of gene expression, developmental and neurotrophic processes, as well as endocrine and gastrointestinal functions are addressed and their basic clinical implications discussed.

In this volume, an international group of experts presents research on the biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology and pharmacology of the growing class of peptides that function as hormones or neurotransmitters, including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), glucagon, and related peptides. Topics include the role of this family of peptides and their receptors in signal transduction mechanisms, cancer, autonomic physiology, neurobiology, cell proliferation, cell death and tissue injury, endocrinology, and neuroimmunology, along with clinical and potential therapeutic implications.

This volume provides an overview on the biochemistry, physiology, and pharmacology of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and related peptides. VIP and PACAP are undoubtedly among the most fascinating neuropeptides ever identified. They belong to the largest family of regulatory peptides, which comprises several other prominent neuroendocrine peptides including secretin (the first peptide hormone that has been identified), glucagon, and growth hormone-releasing hormone. The structural and physiological relationships of these peptides as well as their receptors provide a unique model for investigating the processes of molecular evolution leading to the diversification of multigene families. The primary structures of VIP and PACAP have been remarkably well conserved across vertebrates, suggesting that these peptides must be involved in vital functions throughout the animal kingdom. Indeed, VIP and PACAP appear to be implicated in a large array of physiological processes such as development; growth; endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive and digestive functions; immune responses; and circadian rhythms. There is also clear evidence that VIP and PACAP exert both trophic and antiproliferative effects on normal and tumor cells. The beneficial influence of VIP and PACAP agonists and antagonists in various pathological states including heart failure, ischemia, asthma, impotence, and cancer has motivated the development of novel selective VIP or PACAP ligands that could potentially be used as antihypertensive, neuroprotective, bronchodilatory, vasodilatory, and/or antiproliferative drugs. The occurrence of multiple VIP/PACAP receptor subtypes and splice variants that exhibit tissue-specific expression and possess differential affinity for various ligands generates hopes for the development of new therapeutic agents that could act selectively on the desired target cells. NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas. ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx for more information about becoming a member.