Springer Reelin Glycoprotein: Structure, Biology and Roles in Health and Disease

Product Description Reelin glycoprotein is a serine protease with important roles in embryogenesis and during adult life. This comprehensive and integrative book examines the role that reelin plays in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and autism. The book provides an unprecedented analysis of this emerging and novel protein by examining evidence from genetic, neuroanatomic, biochemical, and behavioral studies. Review From the reviews: "The glycoprotein reelin, involved in a multitude of important neurobiological processes including embryogenesis and brain development, is the focus of this informative and interesting book. … The intended audience includes researchers in the field and clinicians. Clinicians who are interested in understanding the importance of epigenetic factors involved in neuropsychiatric disorders would be find this book helpful. … This is an excellent summary of the current state of research findings on this putatively important glycoprotein." (Michael J. Schrift, Doody’s Review Service, July, 2009) “The whole book is dedicated just to one biopolymer, reelin, which is a major secretory glycoprotein with biological activity in various processes of our body. … The book consists of 28 chapters presented by international group of experts. … book will be very useful as foundation for analysis of this emerging novel glycoprotein for biochemists, molecular biologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians specialized in psychiatric disorders.” (G. Ya. Wiederschain, Biochemistry, Vol. 75 (5), 2010) From the Back Cover Reelin glycoprotein is a major secretory protein with important roles in embryogenesis and during adult life. Reelin gene mutations or deficiency of the protein product cause abnormal cortical development and reelin signaling impairment in brain. Since the first discovery of the reelin mutant mouse in 1951 by Falconer, and later discovery of the gene for reelin in 1995, there has been an explosion of new knowledge about this important molecule. Reelin Glycoprotein: Structure, Biology and Roles in Health and Disease, written by an international panel of experts, summarizes the state of the knowledge on various aspects of reelin. Topics include the reelin gene and its receptors, downstream effector molecules in reelin signaling cascade, chemistry and structure of reelin, comparative anatomy of reelin, presence of reelin in various body tissues, reelin mutations, and abnormalities of reelin production in neuropsychiatric disorders and cancer. This book will serve as a foundation for analysis of this emerging novel protein for all neuroscientists and clinicians.