Signal transduction plays a pivotal role in cell regulation. Hormones, cytokines and neurotransmitters bind to their specific receptors in the plasma membranes of cells. The receptors of many hormones are coupled to G-protein coupled signaling pathways. Insulin and growth factors are coupled to receptor-linked kinase. The second messenger is generated in cells once the first messenger binds to the receptors of plasma membranes. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP), inositol 1, 3, 5-triphosphate (IP3) and calcium ion (Ca2+) have been demonstrated to play a role as a second messenger in cells. The pivotal role of Ca2+ in cellular regulation was established with the finding of calmodulin and protein kinase C that modulates the effect of Ca2+ in the regulation of cellular functions. Many receptor classes and their downstream kinases activate Erk, Akt, Stat, Smad, NF-IB and other cascades to regulate gene expression and cellular function. This book provides recent research in the study of the new developments in signaling transduction in cells.
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