Ceramide Signaling, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2002 Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit Series

The volume assembles current information on the role ofceramide as a signalling molecule in 16 chapters written by leadingworkers in this area. Specific attention is given to mechanisms ofanalysis of ceramide and its biophysical properties, on enzymes ofceramide metabolism and down-stream targets of ceramide, on thecross-talk of ceramide signalling with other signalling pathways, andon the role of ceramide in neuronal signalling. Finally, the bookcloses with a section on the therapeutic implications of ceramideaction, in the areas of cannabinoid action, chemotherapy, andatheriosclerosis, and illustrates the potential medical significanceof delineating the roles of ceramide in cell signalling. This is thefirst volume specifically devoted to ceramide signalling, and will actas an invaluable resource for basic and medical researchers andgraduate students wishing to get a state of the art overview of thisrapidly moving field.

Foreword.- Preface.- Color Plates.- 1. Insights into the Modulation ofCeramide Metabolism by Naturally Occurring and Synthetic Sphingolipid Analogs as Monitored by Eleetrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry.- 2. Ceramide in Apoptosis: Possible Biophysical Foundations ofAction.- 21. Ceramide-Mediated Receptor Clustering.- 4. Ceramidases: Regulators of Turnover of Ceramide and Ceramide-Mediated Responses.- 5. MolecularEvolutionof Neutral Ceramidase: From Bacteriato Mammals.- 6. The Roleof Serine/Threonine Protein Phosphatases in Ceramide Signaling.- 7. Kinase Suppressorof Ras as a Ceramide-Activated Protein Kinase.- 8. Ceramide in Apoptosis: The FANThesis, Not a Fantasy.- 9. The Cross-Talk Between Nitric Oxide and Ceramide and Its Role in Apoptosis Regulation.- 10. Crosstalk of Ceramide with Cell Survival Signaling.- 11. Ceramide in the Regulation of Neuronal Development: Two Faces of a Lipid.- 12. Neurons, Neurotrophins and Ceramide Signaling: Do Domains and Pores Contribute to the Dichotomy?.- 13. Ceramide Signaling in Cannabinoid Action.- 14. Ceramide Glycosylation and Chemotherapy Resistance.- 15. Ceramide in Serum Lipoproteins: Function and Regulation of Metabolism.- 16. Therapeutic Implications of Ceramide-Regulated Signaling Cascades.