Gastrointestinal Regulatory Peptides

This volume focuses on the biology of peptides acting as regulatory molecules within the digestive system.

It provides a broad yet comprehensive approach to this rapidly advancing field, emphasizing general concepts that have emerged from research on gut peptide expression and function at the cellular and molecular levels.

Authored by an array of internationally distinguished scientists, it deals with issues of peptide localization and biosynthesis in gastrointestinal cells, mechanisms of peptide release, inactivation and the nature of peptide receptors.

It further discusses the interaction of peptides with gastrointestinal cells and their ability to modulate such diverse functions as gastric acid secretion, hormone release, smooth muscle contractility, and intestinal neural activity, growth, immunity, electrolyte transport and blood flow.

Its concluding chapters address the role of gut peptides in the etiology and diagnosis of disease states and their use as drugs.