Edited By: Christoph Clemen University of Cologne Koeln, Germany Ludwig Eichinger Center for Biochemistry, University of Cologne Vasily Rybakin The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla, California, U.S.A. ISBN: 978-0-387-09594-3 Published: 2008-08-05 This book may be purchased as an eBook (pdf) for $99, or individual chapters (pdf) may be purchased from the list below for $19. Purchase eBook for $99 (pdf) Purchase this book from Springer. Chapters list

Coronin proteins play fundamental roles in a variety of cellular processes and mis-regulation of some family members is apparently associated with multiple diseases, including cancer. This volume on coronin proteins makes a sincere attempt to provide a comprehensive overview on all aspects of coronins including history, phylogeny, structure, subcellular localization, mechanisms and interactions, as well as functions in different organisms.

The first section of the book introduces two superfamilies of proteins with beta-propellers, the WD40 superfamily, to which the coronins belong, and the structurally related Kelch superfamily. The second section starts with recollections from the earliest days of coronin research together with an overview of the still-developing field of research. An in-depth phylogenetic analysis delineates twelve coronin subfamily clades in distinct phyla comprising seven vertebrate paralogs. This data provides a rational basis for revision of the coronin nomenclature. Advanced sequence analyses demonstrate the existence of either seven or fourteen WD40-motifs in all coronin proteins and the structure of coronin proteins is discussed. The third section focuses on specific aspects of coronin proteins. Here, mechanisms and interactions of a coronin protein that coordinates actin assembly and disassembly in cytoskeletal dynamics are described. The development of coronin function during evolution is traced by phylogenetic, structural, and functional data starting with the oldest coronin proteins in unicellular pathogens. The individual members of the coronin protein family contribute to largely different cellular functions. Coronins of invertebrates, including the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum in which coronin was initially identified, are important regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. However, coronins also play roles in signal transduction, transcriptional regulation, and regulation of vesicular trafficking at the Golgi apparatus. The last section of the book describes coronins in immunity and disease, i.e. an involvement in the regulation of leukocyte specific signalling events, brain development, neural regeneration, and in multiple types of clinically aggressive cancer.

The book should be of interest for scientists outside the field, but is more importantly intended as a fast and competent guide for newcomers as well as doctoral and postdoctoral scientists to coronin research in all its facets.

Chapters available from this book