Many organisms have evolved the ability to enter into and revive from a dormant state. They can survive for long periods in this state (often even months to years), yet can become responsive again within minutes or hours. This is often, but not necessarily, associated with desiccation. Preserving one’s body and reviving it in future generations is a dream of mankind. To date, however, we have failed to learn how cells, tissues or entire organisms can be made dormant or be effectively revived at ambient temperatures. In this book studies on organisms, ranging from aquatic cyanobacteria that produce akinetes to hibernating mammals, are presented, and reveal common but also divergent physiological and molecular pathways for surviving in a dormant form or for tolerating harsh environments. Attempting to learn the functions associated with dormancy and how they are regulated is one of the great future challenges. Its relevance to the preservation of cells and tissues is one of the key concerns of this book.
Author(s): Esther Lubzens, Joan Cerdà (auth.), Esther Lubzens, Joan Cerda, Melody Clark (eds.)
Series: Topics in Current Genetics 21
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Year: 2010
Language: English
Pages: 284
Tags: Cell Physiology; Animal Physiology; Plant Physiology; Biochemistry, general
Front Matter....Pages i-xii
Introduction....Pages 1-4
Akinetes: Dormant Cells of Cyanobacteria....Pages 5-27
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Spore Germination....Pages 29-41
Dormancy in Plant Seeds....Pages 43-67
Bud Dormancy in Perennial Plants: A Mechanism for Survival....Pages 69-90
LEA Proteins: Versatility of Form and Function....Pages 91-108
A Role for Molecular Studies in Unveiling the Pathways for Formation of Rotifer Resting Eggs and Their Survival During Dormancy....Pages 109-132
Anhydrobiotic Abilities of Tardigrades....Pages 133-146
Cryoprotective Dehydration: Clues from an Insect....Pages 147-163
A Molecular Overview of Diapause in Embryos of the Crustacean, Artemia franciscana ....Pages 165-187
An Exploratory Review on the Molecular Mechanisms of Diapause Termination in the Waterflea, Daphnia ....Pages 189-202
Metabolic Dormancy and Responses to Environmental Desiccation in Fish Embryos....Pages 203-226
Mammalian Hibernation: Physiology, Cell Signaling, and Gene Controls on Metabolic Rate Depression....Pages 227-252
Lessons from Natural Cold-Induced Dormancy to Organ Preservation in Medicine and Biotechnology: From the “Backwoods to the Bedside”....Pages 253-278
Back Matter....Pages 279-283
