Serge Przedborski, Columbia University

Impaired function of the ubiquitin-proteosome system (UPS) has long been implicated as a contributing factor in various neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, the presence of various ubiquitin-decorated protein aggregates is pathonumonic for many such diseases. Unfortunately, this system was sorely neglected until the recent association between several genes, encoding UPS-related proteins, and Parkinson's disease placed UPS dysfunction center stage in the neurodegeneration field. With increasing interest in this fast growing area, this book represents a timely and critical effort summarizing the most exciting development to date by many renown experts in the field. With a thoughtful and useful structure, the book takes the reader from a detailed introduction of the UPS system, through an elegant discussion of the relationship between UPS and critical cellular functions to an outstanding summary of the UPS in various neurodegenerative diseases. As such, this book serves equally well to both those who are new and those who are knowledgeable to the field. There is nodoubt that this book will generate ever more interest in this fertile research area.

Mark A. Smith, Case Western Reserve University

This is excellent timing! The role of the ubiquitin proteasome system in neurodegeneration is a hot topic, and recent research has shown that this system plays a role in various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.

This book contains up-to-date reviews on different aspects of the ubiquitin proteasome system and its involvement in several neurodegenerative diseases. It is an indispensable source of information for scientists studying neurodegeneration. The book provides information on the basics of the ubiquitin proteasome system, but mainly describes a number of aspects of involvement of this system in neurodegeneration. All major hypotheses on the possible causes of neurodegeneration, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging, are discussed in view of their effect on the ubiquitin proteasome system.

The contributions and different views from leading authors in the field provide a balanced, comprehensive and up-to-date view of the possible role of the proteasome in neurodegeneration. The book is a unique reference work for all biological and medical researchers working in the field of neurodegeneration.

Elly M. Hol, Cellular Quality Control Netherlands Institute for Brain Research