Main description:

The book provides an comprehensive overview on biology, genetics and cellular functions of serpins (serine protease inhibitors) in health and disease. With over 1000 members serpins are the most diverse family of protease inhibitors. Latest groundbreaking research findings are presented and broaden the understanding on inhibitory and non-inhibitory serpins, not only in mammalian organisms but also in insects, worms, plants and viruses.

Contents:

1. Serpin Evolution and Genetics.- 2. Serpin Structure and Mechanism.- 3. New Serpins / New Functions of Serpins in Coagulation, Fibrinolysis, and Angiogenesis.- 4. Serpins in Development and Reproduction.- 5. Intracellular clade B serpins, intracellular functions of other serpins.- 6. Interaction of Serpins with Membrane-anchored Proteases.- 7. Serpins in Neurobiology.- 8. Serpins in Inflammation and Infectious Diseases.- 9. Cellular Proteostasis Systems Responsible for Orchestrating SERPIN Conformational Maturation and/or Disposal.- 10. SERPIN-related Diseases: Cellular Injury, Disease Modifiers, and Therapeutic Approaches.- 11. Serpins in Cancer.- 12. Non-mammalian Serpins.- 13. Serpins and Signal Transduction.- 14. Non-inhibitory serpins: structures and functions.- 15. (Patho)-physiology and/or novel functions of human serpins (in particular: vaspin) Serpins in animal models.