A NATO Advanced Study Institute on "Molecular Mechanisms of Transcellular Signaling: from the Membrane to the Gene" was held on the Island of Spetsai, Greece, from August 15- 27, 1994. The aim of this Institute was to bring together researchers in the field of signal transduction mechanisms, transcription factors and gene regulation with those actively involved in studies on the implications of oxygen radicals and antioxidant defence mechanisms for cell function. As diverse as these fields may be, the emergence of their interconnection during the course of the Institute was an eye-opener for students and lecturers alike. 2 Presentations and discussions focussed on the role of Ca +, G-proteins, protein kinase C and phospholipases in signaling mechanisms. These broad principles were extended to transcription factors and gene regulation with an emphasis on the steroid hormone receptor superfamily and NFKB. Basic principles of free radical formation and antioxidant action (vitamin E and C) were presented and discussed in connection with effects on signaling pathways. This book present the content of the major lectures and a selection of the most relevant posters. These proceedings offer a comprehensive account of the most important topics discussed at the Institute. The book is intended to make the proceedings accessible to a large audience.

Components of Signal Transduction

The [Ca2+]i concept: from whole cell to microdomains
Versatile functions of Ca2+-binding proteins in signal transduction and Ca2+ homeostasis
Purification of a neurite growth inhibitor (NI-250) from bovine CNS myelin
Protein kinase C and lipid signalling for cellular regulation
Phospholipase D regulation in relationship with several protein kinases activation in human neutrophil
Phosphatide acid phosphohydrolase: its role in cell signalling
A novel form of type-IVA cAMP phosphodiesterase found in rat brain
Interaction of the retinal cyclic GMP-phosphodiesterase inhibitor with transducin (Gt) and with other G-proteins (Gi, GO and Gs)
Identification of stable opioid receptor Go-protein complexes using GTP-binding protein selective antisera
The use of stably transfected cell lines in the analysis of functional interactions between Go?1 & Gi?2 and the ?2C10 adrenoceptor
Modulation of the AMPA/kainate receptors by protein kinase C
Interaction of MARCKS, a major protein kinase C substrate, with the membrane
Phosphorylase kinase: a protein kinase for all seasons
Antioxidants, Oxidative Stress and Hypoxia
Signal, messenger and trigger molecules from free radical reactions and their control by antioxidants
Strategies of antioxidant defense: relations to oxidative stress
Antioxidants: molecular interactions between vitamins E and C, biothiols and carotenes
Biokinetics of vitamin E in lipoproteins and cells
Role of mitochondria in radical generation and toxicity of ?-buty Hydroperoxide towards cultured human endothelial cells
Hypoxia and endothelial cell adhesiveness
Hypoxia activates endothelial cells to release inflammatory mediators and growth factors
Oxidative stress induced by ?-interferon andlipopolysaccharide in rat hepatocyte cultures. Relationship with nitric oxide production
Effects of nitric oxide on Morris water maze performance in rats: correlation with cGMP levels
Transcription Factors and Gene Induction
Signal transduction from the cytoplasm to the cell nucleus by NF-kB/Rel transcription factors
Functional analysis of the glucocorticoid receptor
Adipocyte differentiation is dependent on the induction of the acyl-CoA binding protein
TNF-induced mechanisms for IL6 gene induction
Regulation of 14 kDa group II PLA2 in rat mesangial cells
Multifunctional growth factors in morphogenesis and tumor progression
Gene targeting of the receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase LAR by homologous recombination in mouse embryonic stem cells
Various Functions of Membrane Lipids
Lipid modifications of eukaryotic proteins: biochemistry and function
Intracellular synthesis, transport and sorting of glycosphingolipids
Addendum
Note to the addendum
Interleukin 1 ? and tumor necrosis factor-? modulate the nuclear phosphoinositide signaling system.