The Beta-3 Adrenoreceptor plays an important role in regulating human fat storage and variants of this receptor are thought to be relevant to diabetes. In addition to the major interest in obesity and diabetes expressed by the pharmaceutical industry, increasing numbers of academic groups are attracted by this general research area. This renewed interest is of course in part stimulated by available financing from industry. It also reflects the growing realisation that metabolism remains an open frontier: little is known about adipocyte sub-populations, specific markers, or endocrine functions. Research on the ss3 adrenoreceptor and discussion about the hypothetical ss4 adrenoreceptor is currently stimulating considerable interest which will certainly be satisfied by this volume. The Beta-3 Adrenoreceptor will appeal to readers at graduate and post-graduate levels of all major universities and other research and education institutes.
