Receptors and Recognition: Series A

摘要: This new se ries is concerned with intercellular communication and recognition. It now widely appreciated that these processes playa crucial role in virtually all biological systems functions. These encompass fertilisation, embryonic development, infectious interactions, the activity of nervous system, regulation growth develop- ment by hormones immune response to foreign or 'non-self antigens. Historically as described first review this volume, general concept cell-associated receptors molecular entity primarily responsible for specificity signal recognition arose independently fields immunology, pharmacology developmental biology. From an early stage analogy between cellular discriminatory antibodies enzymes was emphasised. A vital conceptual advance, expressed most c1early Linus Pauling Paul Weiss, idea non-covalent interactions (of proteins particular) were forbiological general. In last decade several major advances have led a level understanding basis (in particular neurotransmitters, antigens) it possible direct1y demonstrate existence - associated each case cell surface. studies been paralleled equally important insights into structure organisation membranes ways which signals arriving from 'outside' can be transduced across surface membrane induce regulate cell's programmed responses.