- Email: [email protected]
Advances in enzymology and related subjects of biochemistry. Vol. XXI
158 Press, $7.50.
BOOK
Chicago,
Illinois,
1959. viii
+ 348 pp.
l’rice
This book consists of papers I)resented at the University of Chicago between November 1956 and March 1957 by a number of leading molecular biologists and biophysicists. Many of the ideas which have since proved most’ fruitful in this rapidly expanding subject were being formulated at this time, and accordingly several of the eariicr chapters give accounts of fields which have since become very important: for example, the chapter on protein synthesis by Hoagland, Zamecnik. and Stephenson, and that; on enzymic synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by Kornberg. Topics of this kind permit direct correlation bct,ween biological function and molecular structure: in such connections the double-helix structure of DNA has, of course, been especially significant. On the other hand many of the later chapters deal with more complex systems in which it is still impossible to think in terms of precise and proven molecular models: for example, t,hat on the mit.otic spindle by Zirkle and that, cm nerve bJ- Tobias and Nelson. Between these extremes the 22 papers ~011. tnined in this volume form a wide spectrum, covering most branches of this rather ill-defined subject in a generally excellent manner. The book itself is attractively produced, but it must be admit,ted that its publication as late as mid-1959 renders many of the chapters of mainly hist,orical interest. As one of the contributors writ,es of his own paper in a note added in proof, “Knowledge . has advanced so rapidly that reading this paper is like visiting a museum.” This could serve as epitaph for the whole book: the delay of two and a half years between presentation and publicat.ion has inevitably removed some of the bloom from many of these fruits of a rapidly growing discipline. The number of conferences multiplies, and their organizers demand publication of the papers presented (which often amounts to re-publication of results already published elsewhere), absorbing the time of authors and readers alike to an extent which can appreciably reduce their output of original work. Such diversion of effort. loses all justification unless the material can reach the public quickly. J. C. KENDREW,
Cambridge,
England
Advances in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Biochemistry. Vol. XXI. Edit’ed by F. F. NORD, Fordham University, Sew York, X. Y. Interscience Publ., Inc., New York and London, 1959. vii + 521 pp. Price $12.50. This
is one of the best
volumes
in an out’stand-
REVIETT’B
irig series. The sul)jcct mnl,ter is somewhat varied, but more related than in many similar volllmes, and the competence of the contributors is excellent. The opening chapter by W. C. Schneider on mitochondrin metabolism gives pertinent facts about t.he morphology, composition, and properties of the mitochondria which deserve more consideration by the enzymologist. He ably diScusses in detail “t.he (1iversit.y and complexit,y of mitochondrial functions revealed by experiments of the past decade.” A valuable contribution by I). F:. Green brings together results of t.he exterlsivc studies of his group on particulatcs from mitochondria, their composition, interrelationship , and functions, t,ogether with a brief discussion of oxidative phosphorylation. 13. U. Maimstrijm :mtl A. Rosenberg critically review the present concepts of the role of metals in enzyme systems, with emphasis on kinetics, properties of complexes and specificity. The difficult,ies of offering rat.ional explanations for the catalytic role of metals arc st,ressed. V. 15. Barnann and H. ‘I’rapmann call at.tention to catalysis of various hydroyses, particularly of phosphate compounds, by rare-earth metals. At 1 his stage of development, the results contribute litt,le to the t~nderst:tnding of enzyme catalysis. The enzymic reactions in the synthesis of prlrines are lucidly and logically presented by J. RI. I3uchan:tn and S. C. Hartman. Emphasis is on the characterization of metabolic pathways, but the authors include some penetrating and provocative discussion of the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in enzymic syntheses. In a related companion article, I’. Reichard admirably prcsenfs present, informat,ion on the enzymic synthesis of pyrimidines, again, because of the nat,ure of our present knowledge, with principal emphasis upon metabolic pathways. In his comprehensive article on carotenoid pigments, T. W. Goodwin considers distribut,ion, patterns, and culture conditions for synthesis, genetics, product-precursor rclatiollships, and function. Little information is available :hout. the various enzymes involved. The volume is ~onclr~ded by an olltst):tnding contribution I)! F. M. Huennekens and Rr. .J. Osborn on folic acid. Their discussion of t,he chemistry and biochemistry of folic acid and related compounds, folic acid biosynthesis, aud of enzymes utilizing folic acid coenzymes is representative of modern enzymology at its best. These contributions will undoubtedly serve as scholarly reference works for research workers and st.udents concerned with the topics discussed.
BOOK
Chicago,
Illinois,
1959. viii
+ 348 pp.
l’rice
This book consists of papers I)resented at the University of Chicago between November 1956 and March 1957 by a number of leading molecular biologists and biophysicists. Many of the ideas which have since proved most’ fruitful in this rapidly expanding subject were being formulated at this time, and accordingly several of the eariicr chapters give accounts of fields which have since become very important: for example, the chapter on protein synthesis by Hoagland, Zamecnik. and Stephenson, and that; on enzymic synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by Kornberg. Topics of this kind permit direct correlation bct,ween biological function and molecular structure: in such connections the double-helix structure of DNA has, of course, been especially significant. On the other hand many of the later chapters deal with more complex systems in which it is still impossible to think in terms of precise and proven molecular models: for example, t,hat on the mit.otic spindle by Zirkle and that, cm nerve bJ- Tobias and Nelson. Between these extremes the 22 papers ~011. tnined in this volume form a wide spectrum, covering most branches of this rather ill-defined subject in a generally excellent manner. The book itself is attractively produced, but it must be admit,ted that its publication as late as mid-1959 renders many of the chapters of mainly hist,orical interest. As one of the contributors writ,es of his own paper in a note added in proof, “Knowledge . has advanced so rapidly that reading this paper is like visiting a museum.” This could serve as epitaph for the whole book: the delay of two and a half years between presentation and publicat.ion has inevitably removed some of the bloom from many of these fruits of a rapidly growing discipline. The number of conferences multiplies, and their organizers demand publication of the papers presented (which often amounts to re-publication of results already published elsewhere), absorbing the time of authors and readers alike to an extent which can appreciably reduce their output of original work. Such diversion of effort. loses all justification unless the material can reach the public quickly. J. C. KENDREW,
Cambridge,
England
Advances in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Biochemistry. Vol. XXI. Edit’ed by F. F. NORD, Fordham University, Sew York, X. Y. Interscience Publ., Inc., New York and London, 1959. vii + 521 pp. Price $12.50. This
is one of the best
volumes
in an out’stand-
REVIETT’B
irig series. The sul)jcct mnl,ter is somewhat varied, but more related than in many similar volllmes, and the competence of the contributors is excellent. The opening chapter by W. C. Schneider on mitochondrin metabolism gives pertinent facts about t.he morphology, composition, and properties of the mitochondria which deserve more consideration by the enzymologist. He ably diScusses in detail “t.he (1iversit.y and complexit,y of mitochondrial functions revealed by experiments of the past decade.” A valuable contribution by I). F:. Green brings together results of t.he exterlsivc studies of his group on particulatcs from mitochondria, their composition, interrelationship , and functions, t,ogether with a brief discussion of oxidative phosphorylation. 13. U. Maimstrijm :mtl A. Rosenberg critically review the present concepts of the role of metals in enzyme systems, with emphasis on kinetics, properties of complexes and specificity. The difficult,ies of offering rat.ional explanations for the catalytic role of metals arc st,ressed. V. 15. Barnann and H. ‘I’rapmann call at.tention to catalysis of various hydroyses, particularly of phosphate compounds, by rare-earth metals. At 1 his stage of development, the results contribute litt,le to the t~nderst:tnding of enzyme catalysis. The enzymic reactions in the synthesis of prlrines are lucidly and logically presented by J. RI. I3uchan:tn and S. C. Hartman. Emphasis is on the characterization of metabolic pathways, but the authors include some penetrating and provocative discussion of the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in enzymic syntheses. In a related companion article, I’. Reichard admirably prcsenfs present, informat,ion on the enzymic synthesis of pyrimidines, again, because of the nat,ure of our present knowledge, with principal emphasis upon metabolic pathways. In his comprehensive article on carotenoid pigments, T. W. Goodwin considers distribut,ion, patterns, and culture conditions for synthesis, genetics, product-precursor rclatiollships, and function. Little information is available :hout. the various enzymes involved. The volume is ~onclr~ded by an olltst):tnding contribution I)! F. M. Huennekens and Rr. .J. Osborn on folic acid. Their discussion of t,he chemistry and biochemistry of folic acid and related compounds, folic acid biosynthesis, aud of enzymes utilizing folic acid coenzymes is representative of modern enzymology at its best. These contributions will undoubtedly serve as scholarly reference works for research workers and st.udents concerned with the topics discussed.