Note: Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- PREFACE -- ABOUT THE EDITORS... -- ABOUT THE EDITORS... -- PARTICIPANTS -- Table of Contents -- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -- Chapter 1 Integrin Structure and Functional Relation with Ion Channels -- Introduction -- Fundamentals of Integrin Structure -- Extracellular Domains and ECM Ligand Binding -- Transmembrane and Intracellular Domains -- TM Domain Interaction -- Inside-Out Activation by Talin -- Binding to Other Membrane Proteins and Cytoskeleton -- Physiological and Pathological Implications: An Outline of Current Trends -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 2 Introduction to Ion Channels -- Introduction -- The Physiology of Ion Channels -- Biophysical Background -- Main Physiological Roles of Ion Channels -- Ion Channel Types Involved in Integrin-Mediated Signaling -- Voltage-Gated K+ Channels -- Inward Rectifying K+ Channels -- Ca2+ -Activated K+ Channels -- Voltage-Gated Ca2+ Channels -- Cl- Channels -- Neurotran smitter-Gated Channels -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 3 Biochemical Methods to Study the Interactions Between Integrins and Ion Channels -- Introduction -- Yeast Two-Hybrid Screening -- Affinity-Based Screening: IP Assays -- Pull-Down Assay -- Photoaffinity Labeling Techniques for Studying Transient Protein-Protein Interaction -- Far Western Blot Analysis (Far WB) -- High-Throughput Protein-Protein Interaction Analysis, Followed by Validation of Candidate Interactors through Different Experimental Approaches -- Conclusion: Past and Future Application of Biochemical Approaches to Characterize the Interactions between Integrins and Ion Channels -- References -- Chapter 4 Optical Methods in the Study of Protein-Protein Interactions -- Introduction -- Förster Resonance Energy Transfer: The "Molecular Ruler" -- Intensity Versus Lifetime: Two Ways to Measure FRET. , Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy (TIRFM) and Imaging of Membrane Proteins -- Antibody-Based Versus Fusion Protein-Based FRET: Principles -- Antibody-Based Versus Fusion Protein-Based FRET: Advantages and Disadvantages -- Application of Optical Methods to the Study of Integrins and Ion Channels -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 5 Integrins and Signal Transduction -- Overview of Integrin Structure -- Structural Features of the Integrin Family -- Connection between the ECM and the Actin Cytoskeleton -- Integrin Signaling -- The SFK-Fak-p130Cas Signaling -- The Focal Adhesion Kinase -- Src Family Kinases -- The p130Cas Adaptor Protein -- SFK-Fak-p130Cas as a Signaling Scaffold in Migration, Invasion and Survival -- Integrin Cross Talk with Growth Factor and Cytokine Receptors -- Cooperation between Integrins, Growth Factor/Cytokine Receptors and Their Ligands: Reciprocal Potentiation -- Integrin Signaling and Cancer -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 6 Physical and Functional Interaction between Integrins and hERG1 Channels in Cancer Cells -- Introduction -- hERG1 Channels in Cancer Cells -- Effects of Integrin Activation on hERG1 Channels -- Integrins and hERG1 Channels form a Macromolecular Complex -- Effects of hERG1 Activation on Integrin Function and Signaling -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 7 Coordinated Regulation of Vascular Ca2+ and K+ Channels by Integrin Signaling -- Introduction -- Regulation of L-Type Calcium Channels by Integrin Activation -- Regulation of Ca2+-Dependent Potassium Channels by Integrin Activation -- Conclusion: The Physiological Relevance of Coordinated Regulation of CaL and BK Channels by Integrins -- References -- Chapter 8 Adhesion-Dependent Modulation of Macrophage K+ Channels -- Introduction -- Inwardly Rectifying K+ (Kir) Currents. , Physiologic and Pathophysiologic Roles of Macrophage Kir Channels -- Delayed, Outwardly Rectifying K+ (Kdr) Currents -- Physiologic and Pathophysiologic Roles of Macrophage Kdr Channels -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 9 Integrin Receptors and Ligand-Gated Channels -- Introduction -- The Functional Significance of Integrins in the Adult Brain -- Integrin and Ion Channels in Remodeling Adult Circuits and Epileptogenesis -- Integrins and Synaptic Plasticity -- Integrins and NMDA Receptors -- Integrins and AMPA Receptors -- Integrins and GABA Receptors: Further Possibilities to Modulate Synaptic Plasticity? -- Integrins and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Not Only the Neuromuscular Junction -- Studies in Nonneural Tissue -- Studies in the Neuromuscular Junction and the Central Nervous System -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 10 Integrins and Ion Channels in Cell Migration: Implications for Neuronal Development, Wound Healing and Metastatic Spread -- Introduction -- Actin Cytoskeleton -- Cell Migration -- Growth Cone Motility -- The Role of Integrins in Cell Migration -- The Role of Ion Channels and Crosstalk with Integrins in Cell Migration -- K+ Channels -- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, Integrins and Epithelial Migration in Electric Fields, Implications for Wound Healing -- Ca2+ Signaling and the Axonal Growth Cone -- Ca2+ Signals: Fundamentals and Role in Chemotaxis -- Growth Cone Motility -- Ion Channels as Adhesion Molecules -- The Cellular Environment and the Metastatic Process -- Invasiveness of Glial Tumors and Ion Channels -- Conclusion -- References -- INDEX.