Ebook: Neuropeptide Protocols

After 20 years of intensive effort, novel neuropeptides continue to be discovered, and the field of neuropeptide research is still expanding. As new analytical techniques become available, their applicability to the study of neu­ ropeptides brings fresh insights into the properties and functions of these ubiq­ uitous chemical messengers. Presented in this single volume, Neuropeptide Protocols, are 33 chapters covering these new techniques, together with more established methods. Each contributor is actively engaged in neuropeptide research and so brings to his or her description an awareness of the practical problems inher­ ent in the method, and provides sound advice on how to overcome them. The format conforms to the style of previous books in the Methods in Molecular Biology series. Each chapter provides an instruction to the technique, and item­ ized list of equipment and reagents, and a step-by-step set of instructions to enable practitioners to reproduce the method. The Notes section gives insights into pitfalls or critical stages, tips to overcome these obstacles, and sugges­ tions for extensions or modifications of the basic protocol. Neuropeptide Protocols is intended as a benchtop manual providing the entire gamut of techniques that form the essential tool kit of the practicing neuropeptide researcher. It will be useful for those new to the field, as well as for established workers who wish to try a new technique for the first time.

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Leading scientists offer an unprecedented suite of master protocols for analyzing neuropeptide structure and function using optimized classic methods and the latest state-of-the-art techniques. This comprehensive collection includes valuable techniques for extracting and purifying neuropeptides from biological sources, for their sequence determination by Edman degradation and PCR, and for the solid-phase synthesis and purification of peptides and peptide analogs. Also covered are physical techniques for the characterization of synthetic or natural peptides, methods for immunocytochemical sample preparation and visualization at both light and electron levels, and techniques for neuropeptide-receptor interaction. Chapters on molecular modeling, radioisotopic labeling, production of antisera, the measurement of efflux from brain to blood, and the assay and inhibition of neuropeptidases complete this indispensable collection of readily reproducible protocols.

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Leading scientists offer an unprecedented suite of master protocols for analyzing neuropeptide structure and function using optimized classic methods and the latest state-of-the-art techniques. This comprehensive collection includes valuable techniques for extracting and purifying neuropeptides from biological sources, for their sequence determination by Edman degradation and PCR, and for the solid-phase synthesis and purification of peptides and peptide analogs. Also covered are physical techniques for the characterization of synthetic or natural peptides, methods for immunocytochemical sample preparation and visualization at both light and electron levels, and techniques for neuropeptide-receptor interaction. Chapters on molecular modeling, radioisotopic labeling, production of antisera, the measurement of efflux from brain to blood, and the assay and inhibition of neuropeptidases complete this indispensable collection of readily reproducible protocols.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xiii
Back Matter....Pages 1-8
....Pages 9-16