Mechanisms in Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and the Complement System

This book presents a thorough explanation and analysis of our current understanding of the proteins and enzymes involved.

Torben Halkier (Author), Paul Woolley (Translated by)

9780521071833, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 August 2008

484 pages, 223 b/w illus. 13 tables
23.4 x 15.6 x 2.4 cm, 0.69 kg

"...recommended for researchers and graduate or advanced undergraduate students in molecular biology and biochemistry...." Robert W. Colman, American Journal of Physiology

This book provides a comprehensive account of the proteins involved in blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and the complement system. A major section of the book is devoted to each of these three systems, with separate chapters dealing in detail with structural aspects and different functional processes. Topics covered in the blood coagulation section include the activation of factors IX and X and prothrombin, and the formation and stabilisation of fibrin. The fibrinolysis section includes the activation of plasminogen, the degradation of fibrin and the regulation of fibrinolysis. The complement system itself is covered in chapters dealing with classical activation, alternative activation, the lytic complex and the regulatory processes involved. In addition, one section deals with special topics, including the kinin system, signal peptides, haemostasis, and the evolution of protein structure. This volume will be of use to researchers and advanced students in the fields of haematology, immunology and clinical chemistry.

Foreword
Introduction
Part I. Blood Coagulation: 1. The coagulation process: an introduction
2. Contact activation
3. Activation of factor IX
4. Activation of factor X in the intrinsic pathway
5. Activation of prothrombin
6. Activations in the extrinsic pathway
7. Formation and stabilisation of fibrin
8. Regulation of blood coagulation
Part II. Fibrinolysis: 9. Complements of the fibrinolytic system
10. Mechanisms of fibrinolysis
Part III. The Complement System: 11. Overview of the complement system
12. Classical activation of the complement system
13. Alternative activation of the complement system
14. The lytic complex (MAC)
15. Regulation processes in the complement system
16. Anaphylatoxin inactivator
17. Complement reactors
Part IV. Special Topics: 18. The kinin system
19. Glycosylation
20. Signal peptides
21. Modification of amino-acid residues
22. Coagulation-active surfaces in vivo
23. The binding of proteins to coagulation-active surfaces
24. Haemostasis
25. Integrins
26. Serpins
27. Some evolutionary considerations
Appendix
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Animal physiology [PSVD], Physiology [MFG]