In September 1998 experts from 19 countries came together for an interdisciplinary discussion of the function of animal peroxidases, a family of enzymes embracing myeloperoxidase, eosinophil peroxidase, thyroid peroxidase and lactoperoxidase. Their papers have been updated for publication, yielding a wide-ranging overview of the state of the art. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including three-dimensional structure of representative family members, their biosynthesis and intracellular transport, mechanism of action as well as applications to clinical medicine. They are of clinical relevance in, for example, arteriosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, infections, tumorigenesis, rheumatic diseases and hypothyroidism. This book forms an excellent introduction for anyone interested in the peroxidase family of enzymes.

1 Peroxidases: A Historical Overview of Milestones in Research on Myeloperoxidase

2 Targeting of Proteins to Lysosomes and Granules
3 Sorting and Processing of Neutrophil Granule Proteins
4 X-Ray Crystallographic Studies of Human Myeloperoxidase
5 Structural and Biological Properties of Human Recombinant Myeloperoxidase
6 Recent Insights into the Biosynthesis and Processing of Human Myeloperoxidase
7 Targets for Myeloperoxidase-Dependent Bactericidal Activity
8 Reactions of Myeloperoxidase and Production of Hypochlorous Acid in Neutrophil Phagosomes
9 Acquisition and Use of Myeloperoxidase in the Microbicidal Activity of Macrophages
10 Cooperative Interactions of the Peroxidase and Nitric Oxide Pathways in Inflammatory Oxidant Production
11 The Role of the Monoclonal Antibody Anti-Myeloperoxidase (anti-MPO) in the Diagnosis and Classification of Acute Leukaemias
12 The Role of Myeloperoxidase in Myeloid Leukemia and Multiple Sclerosis
13 Pathways for Oxidative Tissue Injury by Myeloperoxidase
14 Myeloperoxidase Activity of Neutrophils in Cystic Fibrosis
15 Structure Function Relationships Amongst Members of the Animal Peroxidase Family of Proteins
16 Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and Eosinophil Peroxidase (EPO) Deficiency in the Region Friuli-Venezia Giulia of North-Eastern Italy
17 Biochemistry and Physiology of Thyroid Peroxidase
18 Severe Congenital Hypothyroidism Caused by Mutations in the Thyroid Peroxidase Gene
19 Screening for Leukocyte Peroxidase Deficiencies by Means of Flow Cytometry: Application to the Study of Prevalence, Pathology and Genetics
20 Prevalence of Inherited Myeloperoxidase Deficiency in Japan
21 Acquired and Inherited Forms of Myeloperoxidase Deficiency: Clinical and Hematological Features
22 Myeloperoxidase-Positive and Negative Granulocytes:Investigations by Flow Cytometry
23 Mutation Analysis for Genotype-Phenotype Relationships in Myeloperoxidase Deficiency
24 Diagnostic Significance of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) in Systemic Vasculitides
25 Immunodiagnostic Aspects of Autoantibodies Against Myeloperoxidase
26 Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Anti-Myeloperoxidase-Associated Vasculitis.