Frontiers in Smooth Muscle Research

This volume features up-to-date multidisciplinary material on the function and dysfunction of smooth muscles. Prepared by leading investigators, it covers all aspects of smooth muscle function, including mechanisms of contraction, energetics, biochemistry of contractile proteins, ion pumping, cell coupling and cable properties and electrophysiology. This volume assesses ion channels and their regulation, excitation-contraction coupling, phosphotidyl inositol metabolism and intestinal motility. It also includes coverage on both the ultrastructure and the mechanical properties of smooth muscle. Major smooth muscle tissue is also examined such as vascular, intestinal, uterine, airway and the urinary tract. In addition, articles present data on cardiac and skeletal muscle. There have been relatively few works in the past decade on smooth muscle and this contribution will serve as an excellent reference source on important current investigations on smooth muscle function and dysfunction.