Steroid Receptor Methods: Protocols and Assays (Methods in Molecular Biology, 176) - Softcover

Research into steroid receptor biology holds great promise for the treatment of cancer and endocrine disorders and for elucidating the fundamental biological mechanisms of gene expression. In Steroid Receptor Methods: Protocols and Assays, a distinguished team of principal investigators and their associates describe in step-by-step detail a cross-section of the latest research techniques available for studying the endocrine system. As a basis for sophisticated biochemical analysis of receptor properties, the contributors provide methods for the production and purification of a variety of receptors, including progesterone, glucocorticoid, and androgen. Other protocols allow the reader to experiment with DNA-binding characteristics and hormone-binding assays and with the use of combinatorial chemistry for drug discovery. A series of novel methods utilizing the latest advances in immunochemistry, yeast two-hybrid screening, and fluorescence are included for the detection and analysis of a variety of cellular proteins that influence steroid receptor effectiveness. Finally, a discussion by example presents the most current bioinformatics tools and analytical techniques.
Timely and highly accessible, Steroid Receptor Methods: Protocols and Assays provides biochemists and molecular biologists studying endocrine systems with a full range of the powerful tools needed for elucidating protein interactions with receptors and DNA, as well as for drug discovery.

"This extremely well written and useful collection of laboratory methods for the study of steroid biology is one of a series in Methods in Molecular Biology devoted to steroid hormones and their receptors. The book provides an up-to-date compilation of protocols and assays that are important for the study of steroids and their receptors... it will be invaluable to researchers already in the field to compare protocols and improve methods...The book is divided into sections of bioinformatics, purification protocols, steroid hormone binding assays, protein interaction assays, and cancer research and drug discovery. The bioinformatics section leads off the book with a wealth of information on web sites that are relevant for steroid hormones and their receptors. While there are probably over 40 different proteins involved in steroid hormone receptor interaction, the section on protein interactions is superb. It actually clarifies a good part of the literature as so many of the proteins have different names for the same molecule. Understanding the mechanisms of isolation of these proteins puts the literature into perspective. Furthermore, the protocols are in sufficient detail that our lab was able to adapt several of the techniques immediately." -Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal

"This volume, part of the series 'Methods in Molecular Biology', describes in detail the protocols and assays used in the study of steroid hormone receptors." - Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism

"Timely and highly accessible, Steroid Receptor Methods. Protocols and Assays provides biochemists and molecular biologists studying endocrine systems with a full range of the powerful tools needed for elucidating protein interactions with receptors and DNA, as well as for drug discovery." - Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

"Anyone working techniques, or who is tempted to enter the field, would be well advised to obtain this book and read the relevant chapters first. PhD student and established scientist alike will find Steroid Receptor Methods a valuable addition the the library." - Molecular Biotechnology

"Overall, the book is well written by an impressive list of experts and represents a valuable resource for both inexperienced and seasoned researchers of steroid receptors." -Today's Life Science