Biologically Active Peptides

Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides, Second Edition, is the definitive, indispensable reference for peptide researchers, biochemists, cell and molecular biologists, neuroscientists, pharmacologists, and endocrinologists. Its chapters are designed to be a source for workers in the field and enable researchers working in a specific area to examine related areas outside their expertise. Peptides play a crucial role in many physiological processes, including actions as neurotransmitters, hormones, and antibiotics. Research has shown their importance in such fields as neuroscience, immunology, pharmacology, and cell biology. The second edition of Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides presents this tremendous body of knowledge in the field of biologically active peptides in one single reference. The section editors and contributors represent some of the most sophisticated and distinguished scientists working in basic sciences and clinical medicine. Presents all aspects of biologically active peptides in one resource Features more than 20 sections spanning plant, bacterial, fungal, venom, and invertebrate peptides to general peptides Includes immunological, inflammatory, cancer, vaccine, and neurotrophic peptides Discusses peptide precursors, mRNA distribution, processing, and receptors, not just pathophysiological implications

Peptides play a crucial role in many physiological processes including actions as neurotransmitters, hormones, and antibiotics. Research has shown their importance in such fields as neuroscience, immunology, pharmacology, and cell biology. The Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides presents, for the first time, this tremendous body of knowledge in the field of biologically active peptides in one single reference. The section editors and contributors represent some of the most sophisticated and distinguished scientists working in basic sciences and clinical medicine. The Handbook of Biologically Active Peptides is a definitive, all-encompassing reference that will be indispensable for individuals ranging from peptide researchers, to biochemists, cell and molecular biologists, neuroscientists, pharmacologists, and to endocrinologists. Chapters are designed to be a source for workers in the field and will enable researchers working in a specific area to examine other related areas with which they would not ordinarily be familiar. *Chapters are designed to be a source for workers in the field and will enable researchers working in a specific area to examine other related areas that they would not ordinarily be familiar. *Fascinating relationships described in the book include the presence of some peptides originally found in frog skin that persist in the human human and brain where they can affect food intake and obesity.

The Peptides, Volume II: Synthesis, Occurrence, and Action of Biologically Active Polypeptides focuses on the synthesis of biologically active polypeptides and analogues. The publication first offers information on linear peptides and heterodetic cyclic peptides. Discussions focus on depsipeptides, polycyclic and monocyclic disulfides, naturally occurring biologically active peptides, glandular hormones, and tissue hormones. The text then ponders on homodetic cyclic peptides, including homodetic cyclic homomeric peptide antibiotics, polycyclic biologically active polypeptides, and homodetic cyclic heteromeric peptide antibiotics. The manuscript takes a look at the problems related with the synthesis of biologically active polypeptides, giving emphasis to a number of movements which elaborated on the matter and the advancements of preparative techniques and approaches leading to the purification of intermediates and end products. The publication is a valuable reference for researchers interested in the occurrence, synthesis, and action of biologically active polypeptides.

Investigation into basic and advanced peptide design, synthesis, evaluation and utilization. New therapeutic approaches from experimental systems.

Animal behaviors and emotions are fine-tuned via signal transmission and communication between cells. The nervous system gives instructions and transmits signals to different parts of an organism to produce coordinated activities. Neurons are core components of the nervous system and they use various chemical messengers to communicate with one another. Neuropeptides (NPs), which are small chains of amino acids, represent the largest class of signaling molecules. Since NPs are directly involved in modulating many physiological processes, such as metabolism, reproduction, learning, memory, and social behaviors–there is a growing interest in studying their structures, functions, and distributions. This book aims to summarize advances in invertebrate NP studies concerning molecular diversities, distributions, and biological functions. In addition, the emerging mass spectrometric techniques have been discussed extensively as a powerful tool enabling accelerated invertebrate NP studies.

Metabolism of Brain Peptides discusses neuropeptide metabolism in light of recent research. It describes the processing mechanisms in the production of biologically active peptides. It details distribution of the variety of neuropeptides in the brain and comprehensively reviews the effects of these neuropeptides on behavioral and physiological functions. The book also examines termination mechanisms for the biological activities of neuropeptides in light of recent knowledge of their distribution, their receptors and their possible inactivation enzymes in various functional regions of the brain and at the blood-brain barrier.

Bioactive Proteins and Peptides as Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals highlights recent developments of nutraceutical proteins and peptides for the promotion of human health. The book considers fundamental concepts and structure-activity relations for the major classes of nutraceutical proteins and peptides. Coverage includes functional proteins and peptides from numerous sources including: soy, Pacific hake, bovine muscle, peas, wheat, fermented milk, eggs, casein, fish collagen, bovine lactoferrin, and rice. The international panel of experts from industry and academia also reviews current applications and future opportunities within the nutraceutical proteins and peptides sector.

Milk proteins have nutritional value and extraordinary biological properties. Research over the last decades has provided new insight into the structure and the function of milk bioactive peptides. Some of these peptides are delivered directly into milk, and some are encrypted in major proteins such as caseins and lactoglobulins. These peptides have antimicrobial functions modulating the gut microflora. Even when milk is undisputedly the first food for mammals, milk proteins sometimes can be a health threat, either because of allergic reaction or because of toxicity. In this regard, in vitro studies showed donkey's casein and major whey proteins to be more digestible than cows' for human consumption. In this book, readers will find updated research on the major milk proteins' structure, bioactive peptides, milk protein allergy, therapeutic strategies, and chemical markers that can be used to detect cow milk intolerance in infants. This book provides the most current scientific information on milk proteins, from structure to biological properties. It will be of great benefit for those interested in milk production, milk chemistry, and human health.

Regulatory peptides represent the most diverse and versatile family of messenger molecules. They are produced by all living organisms from bacteria to mammals. They are involved in a wide variety of biological functions. Biologically active peptides and their receptors thus constitute an unlimited source of inspiration for the development of innovative drugs and cosmetics. The present eBook is a unique collection of research articles and reviews that provide a representative examplification of the latest progress in regulatory peptide research.

Ranging from biofuels to building materials, and from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, the list of products that may be manufactured using discards from farming and fishery operations is extensive. Byproducts from Agriculture and Fisheries examines the procedures and technologies involved in this process of reconstitution, taking an environmentally aware approach as it explores the developing role of value-added byproducts in the spheres of food security, waste management, and climate control. An international group of authors contributes engaging and insightful chapters on a wide selection of animal and plant byproducts, discussing the practical business of byproduct recovery within the vital contexts of shifting socio-economic concerns and the emergence of green chemistry. This important text: Covers recent developments, current research, and emerging technologies in the fields of byproduct recovery and utilization Explores potential opportunities for future research and the prospective socioeconomic benefits of green waste management Includes detailed descriptions of procedures for the transformation of the wastes into of value-added food and non-food products With its combination of practical instruction and broader commentary, Byproducts from Agriculture and Fisheries offers essential insight and expertise to all students and professionals working in agriculture, environmental science, food science, and any other field concerned with sustainable resources.

Almost two centuries ago proteins were recognized as the primary materials (proteios = primary) oflife, but the significance and wide role of peptides (from pepsis = digestion) in practically all life pro cesses has only become apparent in the last few decades. Biologi cally active peptides are now being discovered at rapid intervals in the brain and in other organs including the heart, in the skin of amphibians and many other tissues. Peptides and peptide-like compounds are found among toxins and antibiotics. It is unlikely that this process, an almost explosive broadening of the field, will come to a sudden halt. By now it is obvious that Nature has used the combination of a small to moderate number of amino acids to generate a great variety of agonists with specific and often highly sophisticated functions. Thus, peptide chemistry must be regarded as a discipline in its own right, a major branch of biochemistry, fairly separate from the chemistry of proteins. Because of the important role played by synthesis both in the study and in the practical preparation of peptides, their area can be considered as belonging to bio-organic chemistry as well. The already overwhelming and still increasing body of know ledge renders an account of the history of peptide chemistry more and more difficult. It appears therefore timely to look back, to take stock and to recall the important stages in the development of a new discipline.