In this book, renowned scientists describe the role of steroid chirality and modification of lipid membrane physical properties in the modulation of G protein-coupled receptors and ion channels. The application of commonly-used technical approaches such as mass spectrometry and nucleic magnetic resonance transfer spectroscopy for studies on cholesterol distribution and alteration of lipid bilayer characteristics is also discussed.

The book will be of interest to undergraduate and graduate students as well as basic science and medical researchers with a keen interest in the biophysical properties of cholesterol and physiological consequences of cholesterol presence in biological systems.

Part 1. Sterol specificity in modulating protein function: 1. Chirality effect on cholesterol modulation of protein function.- 2. A critical analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying membrane cholesterol sensitivity of GPCRs.- 3. Regulation of BK channel activity by cholesterol and its derivatives.- 4. Chiral specificity of cholesterol orientation within cholesterol binding sites in inwardly rectifying potassium channels.- Part 2. Indirect modulation of protein function by cholesterol: 5. Cholesterol effect on the physical properties of lipid membranes.- 6. Effect of cholesterol on the dipole potential of lipid membranes.- 7. Mass spectroscopy imaging of cholesterol.- 8. Cholesterol-dependent gating effects on ion channels.