Apoptosis: The Molecular Biology of Programmed Cell Death

Apoptosis is a regulated form of cell demise that can be induced or blocked by groups of specific stimuli. Occurring in all living tissues, it is thought critical to the maintenance of homeostasis and is implicated in lowering susceptibility to tumour growth. Conversely, over-sensitivity to apoptotic triggers can cause cells to be lost inappropriately from tissues, as appears to occur in neurodegenerative diseases. This book examines the molecular pathways regulating apoptosis, progressing from the nematode worm through Drosphila to the more complex pathways evident in mammalian cells. Differences in the cell death pathway within specific tissues are addressed, as are the different genes that may act to regulate progressive steps.

The book is, essentially, a series of reviews of a quality you would expect to find in the top scientific journals. Not only will it prove a good introduction to researchers new to the field, it provides a very useful reference guide to those of us who are not specialists in PCD, but upon whose work the subject often impinges. Journal of Biological Education All the subjects are addressed at just the right level of complexity, with the emphasis on molecular processes involved ... four excellent colour plates. Journal of Biological Education