Inorganic polyphosphates - polymers of orthophosphate linked by high-energy phosphoanhydride bonds - have been found in apparently all forms of life, from bacteria, yeasts and fungi to higher plants and animals. These polymers, which had been neglected for a long time, have become a fascinating area of research in the last few years. This volume summarizes the present state of knowledge about the metabolism and function of inorganic polyphosphates. In addition, the methods to study these polymers as well as the biotechnological applications of inorganic polyphosphates are described. The 15 chapters of this volume, dealing with different aspects of polyphosphate research, are written by experts in the field. This book represents a valuable source of information not only for researchers working on this subject, but also for scientists interested in fundamental aspects of cell and energy metabolism.
Author(s): A. Kornberg (auth.), Professor Dr. Dr. Heinz C. Schröder, Professor Dr. Werner E. G. Müller (eds.)
Series: Progress in Molecular and Subcellular Biology 23
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
Year: 1999
Language: English
Pages: 317
Tags: Biochemistry, general; Cell Biology; Biotechnology
Front Matter....Pages I-XV
Inorganic Polyphosphate: A Molecule of Many Functions....Pages 1-18
Research on Inorganic Polyphosphates: The Beginning....Pages 19-26
Metabolism and Function of Polyphosphates in Bacteria and Yeast....Pages 27-43
Inorganic Polyphosphate in Eukaryotes: Enzymes, Metabolism and Function....Pages 45-81
Cyclic Condensed Metaphosphates in Plants and the Possible Correlations Between Inorganic Polyphosphates and Other Compounds....Pages 83-100
Polyphosphate Glucokinase....Pages 101-125
Cytoplasmic Inorganic Pyrophosphatase....Pages 127-150
Polyphosphate/Poly-(R)-3-Hydroxybutyrate) Ion Channels in Cell Membranes....Pages 151-182
Inorganic Polyphosphate Regulates Responses of Escherichia coli to Nutritional Stringencies, Environmental Stresses and Survival in the Stationary Phase....Pages 183-195
From Polyphosphates to Bisphosphonates and Their Role in Bone and Calcium Metabolism....Pages 197-216
Methods for Investigation of Inorganic Polyphosphates and Polyphosphate-Metabolizing Enzymes....Pages 217-239
Definitive Enzymatic Assays in Polyphosphate Analysis....Pages 241-252
Study of Polyphosphate Metabolism in Intact Cells by 31-P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy....Pages 253-273
Polyphosphate-Accumulating Bacteria and Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal....Pages 275-297
Genetic Improvement of Bacteria for Enhanced Biological Removal of Phosphate from Wastewater....Pages 299-311
Back Matter....Pages 313-317
