Myofibrillogenesis has been studied extensively over the last 100years. Until recently, we have not had a comprehensive understandingof this fundamental process. The emergence of new technologies inmolecular and cellular biology, combined with classical embryologyhave started to unravel some of the complexities of myofibril assemblyin striated muscles.In striated muscles, the contractile proteins are arranged in a highlyordered three dimensional lattice known as the sarcomere. The assemblyof a myofibril involves the precise ordering of several proteins intoa linear array of sarcomeres. Multiple isoforms in many of theseproteins further complicate the process, making it difficult to definethe precise role of each component. This volume has been compiled as acomprehensive reference on myofibrillogenesis.In addition, the book includes reviews on myofibrillar disarray undervarious pathological conditions, such as familial hypertrophiccardiomyopathy (FHC), and incorporates a section on the conductionsystem in the heart. Much of the information in this volume has notbeen described elsewhere. Presented in a manner to be of value tostudents and teachers alike, "Myofibrillogenesis" will be aninvaluable reference source for all in the fields of muscle biologyand heart development.

I: Assembly of Myofibrillar Proteins in Striated Muscle.- 1. Myofibrillogenesis in Cardiac Muscle.- 2. Dynamics of Contractile Proteins Constituting Myofibrils in Living Muscle Cells.- 3. Emergence of the First Myofibrils and Targeting Mechanisms Directing Sarcomere Assembly in Developing Cardiomyocytes.- 4. Tropomodulin: An Important Player in Cardiac Myofibrillogenesis.- II: Maintenance and Manipulation of Myofibrillar Organization.- 5. Maintaining the Fully Differentiated Cardiac Sarcomere.- 6. Manipulation of Myofibrillogenesis in Whole Hearts.- III: Regulation of Expression of Myofibrillar Proteins.- 7. Molecular Regulation of Cardiac Myofibrillogenesis: Roles of Serum Response Factor Nkx2-5, and GATA-4.- 8. Regulation and Organization of Human Troponin Genes.- 9. Signal Transduction in Myofibrillogenesis Cell Growth, and Hypertrophy.- 10. Cytoskeletal Gene Expression in the Developing Cardiac Conduction System.- IV: Heart Development and Myofibrillar Organization.- 11. Onset of a Cardiac Phenotype in the Early Embryo.- 12. Cellular Molecular, and Developmental Studies on Heart Development in Normal and Cardiac Mutant AxolotlsAmbystoma mexicanum.- V: Cardiomyopathy and Myofibrillar Organization.- 13. The Function of Normal and Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy-Associated Tropomyosin.- 14. Cardiomyopathies and Myofibril Abnormalities.