PAS Proteins: Regulators and Sensors of Development and Physiology

PAS proteins control numerous physiological and developmental events, and span phylogeny from bacteria to man. Bacterial and plant PAS proteins act as sensors of environmental stimuli, including light, oxygen, and energy status.

Not surprising, given these roles, there is intense investigation of the roles of bHLH-PAS proteins in issues of human health including: (1) cancer induction, (2) cancer growth and vascularity, (3) birth defects, including Down syndrome, (4) appetite control and obesity, (5) sleep rhythm disorders, and (6) mental health disorders such as social interactions and learning.

PAS proteins encompass many fields of biology, and scientists who work in these fields (circadian rhythms, oxygen regulation, toxin metabolism, bacterial sensors, and development) are an audience, particularly those who actively work on PAS proteins and researchers interested in transcriptional control, signal transduction, and evolution.

Inhalt
Structure of the PAS Fold and Signal Transduction Mechanisms.- Signal Transduction in Prokaryotic PAS Domains.- bHLH-PAS Proteins in C. elegans.- Drosophila bHLH-PAS Developmental Regulatory Proteins.- Methoprene-Tolerant, a PAS Gene Critical for Juvenile Hormone Signaling in Drosophila Melanogaster.- The P160 Family of Steroid Hormone Receptor Coactivators.- The Ah Receptor.- The HIF-1 Family of bHLH-PAS Proteins: Master Regulators of Oxygen Homeostasis.- Hormones, Obesity, Learning, and Breathing The Many Functions of Mammalian Single-Minded Genes.- PAS Proteins in the Mammalian Circadian Clock.