Cellular Model systems

The book is divided into 3 sections. Section I.Cellular Model Systems, includes 3 chapters (Allelopathy and plant cell diagnostics, Cellular models as biosensors and microalgae for determining the effects of allelochemicals). Section II. New Methods of Microscopy has 5 chapters (Microscopic methods to study morpho-cytological events during the seed germination,... 

A property of the protein kinase C enzyme family that is highly valuable for their identification and characterization is their activation by tumor promoters such as phorbol esters (Fig. 7.7). Protein kinase C binds to the tumor promoter, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), with high affinity and is activated by this binding. The specific activation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters is an important tool to demonstrate their involvement in signal transduction pathways. By external addition of TPA, it is possible to use cellular model systems to test which biological responses of a signal transduction pathway involve, and are controlled by, protein kinase C. 

The transformation of a normal cell into a tumor cell is marked by the appearance of certain characteristics in the cellular model system, which depend on the cell type and may appear alone or in combination. 

Complex proteome analysis was evaluated for the total cell lysate of human monocyte U937 cells which provide a convenient cellular model system for differentiation studies.38 The U937 cells were established from a diffuse histiocytic lymphoma displaying monocyte characteristics which upon chemical stimulation with agents such as PMA can initiate cellular differentiation into macrophage-like cells. 

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