From a to Alpha: Yeast as a Model for Cellular Differentiation - Softcover

Hiten Madhani

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0879697385 ISBN 13: 9780879697389

Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, U.S., 2006

Synopsis

From a to alpha is a short supplemental textbook that uses control of yeast mating type as a model for many aspects of cell determination in general. Topics covered include gene silencing; genetic recombination; differentiation; combinatorial gene regulation; mRNA transport to establish asymmetric cell division; signal transduction; evolution of genetic networks; and various aspects of cell biology, including action of cytoskeleton and bud site selection. Contents: Foreword, M. Ptashne; 1. Why Read a Book about Yeast?; 2. Yeast Cell Types; 3. Master Regulatory Transcription Factors Control Cell Type; 4. Making and Secreting Cell Type-specific Signals; 5. Detecting and Responding to a Signal; 6. How Division of a Single Cell Can Produce Two Cell Types; 7. Gene Silencing in the Control of Cell Type; 8. Controlling Cell Polarity; 9. Evolution of Cell Type; Determination; Index. Note from the Publisher: The following title may be of interest: Landmark Papers in Yeast Biology.

About this title

Review

Madhani s book thoughtfully highlights the elegant and ground-breaking work performed in yeast, and the resulting general mechanistic insights and molecular paradigms that emerged... In the specific sense that Madhani intended as a manual for how yeast studies have led to general principles of eukaryotic cell differentiation the book succeeds admirably, and proceeds in a logical, iterative and readable manner. It benefits from simple graphics and inserts in most chapters, which present specific concepts in the context of metazoans or of human disease... ...as an illustrative guide of how studies in a model organism can be illuminating for large areas of biology, Madhani s book is well worth the price. --Nature Cell Biology

This concise, 115 page book nicely summarizes the major concepts regarding the mechanisms that enable yeast cells to differentiate into two different mating types: the a and the referred to in the title....By keeping a narrow focus, the book succeeds in succinctly highlighting a key set of concepts without becoming redundant. The writing will be readily accessible to advanced undergraduates and new graduate students, as well as more advanced researchers who are not yeast experts. This volume is recommended as a good starting point before embarking on a detailed study of the primary literature. --The Quarterly Review of Biology

Overall, this is an excellent account of the mechanisms and concepts involved in the cellular differentiation that accompanies mating in yeast. It is very pleasurable to read and should appeal both to beginners and established yeast researchers. Furthermore, it could be beneficial for researchers working on other systems. As demonstrated very convincingly by Dr. Madhani, what we learn from yeast is likely to continue to offer some hints for our understanding of cellular differentiation in more complex systems. --Genetical Research

Synopsis

The control of yeast mating type is a valuable model for many aspects of cell determination in general. This book provides a succinct analysis of yeast cell type determination, covering: gene silencing; genetic recombination; differentiation; combinatorial gene regulation; mRNA transport to establish asymmetric cell division; signal transduction; evolution of genetic networks and various aspects of cell biology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, U.S.
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0879697385
• ISBN 13: 9780879697389
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 115