Protein Kinase Protocols

The wealth of primary information provided by genome sequencing projects in various species is of enormous potential value in our efforts to understand biological funtions and molecular interactions not only in normal development and cellular physiology, but also in diseases. However, utili- tion of these resources can come only from the development and application of a fully integrated set of molecular, biochemical, biophysical, and genetic skill bases. As key components of many cell signalling pathways, protein kinases are implicated in a broad variety of diseases, including cancers and neurodegenerative conditions, and offer considerable potential as tractable targets for therapeutic intervention. With these issues in mind, the present vlume has been compiled to provide examples of core skills required for ana- sis of knase-mediated signalling cascades, with particular emphasis on iden- fication of proteins according to interactive relationships and analysis of functional properties of signalling proteins. Compilation of Protein Kinase Protocols has been possible only as a - sult of the effort of all the contributors, and I am grateful to them for taking the time and having the patience to desseminate the detailied information - quired in order that others can succeed in the application of these techniques. Most importantly, I extend my deepest gratitude to Chris, Emma, and Helen for making it all worthwhile Alastair D. Reith v Contents Preface ...iv ix Contributors ...1 Protein Kinase-Mediated Signaling Networks: Regulation and Functional Characterization Alastair D. Reith...