- Email: [email protected]
Advances in enzymology and related subjects of biochemistry. Volume XXV
ARCHIVES
OF BIOCHEMISTRY
AND
BIOPHYSICS
(1964)
106,645
Book
Reviews
AdVaoCes in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Biochemistry. Volume XXV. Edited by F. F. NORD, Fordham University, New York. Wiley (Interscience), ?;ew York, 1963. v, 5G5 pp. Price $15.00. For those who have followed the development of this remarkable series of publications since its beginning in 1941, “Advances in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Biochemistry” has become a dear old friend. Ss such, this collection of independent monographs has proved to be extremely helpful and virtually indispensable in the difficult task of keeping abreast with the rapid progress in the field of biochemistry. Volume XXV in this series is no exception. This informative publication represents a typical example of a collection of “critical reports abut’ting on the borderland between physiology, chemistry, microbiology and physical chemistry,” as promised by F. F. Nord in an editorial preface to Volume VI of the series, 18 years ago. Of the ten chapters in the volume, two are COIIcerned with enzyme kinetics. “Elementary Steps in Enzyme Reactions (as Studied by Relaxation Spectrometry)” are treated by Manfred Eigen and Gordon (+. Hammes. Four types of st,eps are included, namely, enzyme-substrate complex ligand substitut,ion (metal complex formation, formation), structural conformation changes and isomerizations. and proton and/or electron transfer. Charles \t-alter and Earl Frieden give a thorough survey of the dependencies of kinet,ic parameters of 15-20 different types of enzymic reactions on product inhibition and discuss the significance of product inhibition of enzymes cjn biological regulation in general. In a luc’d review entitled “Photosynthesis: Energetics and Related Topics,” J. A. Bassham presents this subject as a two-component and two-stage system, the two components being the photoelectr<)n transport syst,em and the reduction of CO? via a ryclic series of reactions. The op-
posite of photosynthesis, i.e., the sequence of chemical reactions leading to light emission, has been ma,sterfullp reviewed by W. D. McElroy and H. H. Seliger. These authors emphasize the chemistry and biochemistry of bioluminescent reactions in the firefly, bacteria, Cypridina, the sea pansy, and in a number of other systems. The transmethylating reactions and their enzymes, as well as the de no~io methyl group synthesis, in particular in thymidylate and methionine-methyl biosyntheses, are discussed by David M. Greenberg in an interest.ing review entitled “Biological Methylation.” Jacob A. Stekol’s contribution on t.he “Biochemical Basis for Ethionine Effects on Tissues” surveys the metabolism of ethionine both in the intact aninlal and in studies with tissue preparations and individual enzymes. Pnder the heading “Multiple Forms of Enzymes ,” Theodor Wieland and Gerhard Pflriderer offer an up-to-date account (in German) on this most recent subject. In addition to discussing isoenzymes, the actual representatives of this class, the authors include also a discussion on heteroenzymes and isoalloenzymes. The occurrence, isolation, measurement, chemistry, biosynthesis, and biochemical function of Coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) and of related compounds are reviewed b) Youssef Hatefi. Roger W. Jeanloz presents an excellent chapter entitled “Recent Developments in the Biochemistry of Amino Sugars, ” in which he describes the chemistry and biochemistry of acidic mucopolysaccharides and the linkage of amino sugars in glycoproteins. The volwm concludes with a chapter on “The Mechanism of Cacao (>uring” by W. G. C. E‘orsyt,h and V. C. Quesnel. Each chapt.er in this volume is expertly written and represents an original and valuable contribution from which the reader will greatly benefit. PETER
645
BERNFELI).
('crvlb~idge,
Massachusetts
OF BIOCHEMISTRY
AND
BIOPHYSICS
(1964)
106,645
Book
Reviews
AdVaoCes in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Biochemistry. Volume XXV. Edited by F. F. NORD, Fordham University, New York. Wiley (Interscience), ?;ew York, 1963. v, 5G5 pp. Price $15.00. For those who have followed the development of this remarkable series of publications since its beginning in 1941, “Advances in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Biochemistry” has become a dear old friend. Ss such, this collection of independent monographs has proved to be extremely helpful and virtually indispensable in the difficult task of keeping abreast with the rapid progress in the field of biochemistry. Volume XXV in this series is no exception. This informative publication represents a typical example of a collection of “critical reports abut’ting on the borderland between physiology, chemistry, microbiology and physical chemistry,” as promised by F. F. Nord in an editorial preface to Volume VI of the series, 18 years ago. Of the ten chapters in the volume, two are COIIcerned with enzyme kinetics. “Elementary Steps in Enzyme Reactions (as Studied by Relaxation Spectrometry)” are treated by Manfred Eigen and Gordon (+. Hammes. Four types of st,eps are included, namely, enzyme-substrate complex ligand substitut,ion (metal complex formation, formation), structural conformation changes and isomerizations. and proton and/or electron transfer. Charles \t-alter and Earl Frieden give a thorough survey of the dependencies of kinet,ic parameters of 15-20 different types of enzymic reactions on product inhibition and discuss the significance of product inhibition of enzymes cjn biological regulation in general. In a luc’d review entitled “Photosynthesis: Energetics and Related Topics,” J. A. Bassham presents this subject as a two-component and two-stage system, the two components being the photoelectr<)n transport syst,em and the reduction of CO? via a ryclic series of reactions. The op-
posite of photosynthesis, i.e., the sequence of chemical reactions leading to light emission, has been ma,sterfullp reviewed by W. D. McElroy and H. H. Seliger. These authors emphasize the chemistry and biochemistry of bioluminescent reactions in the firefly, bacteria, Cypridina, the sea pansy, and in a number of other systems. The transmethylating reactions and their enzymes, as well as the de no~io methyl group synthesis, in particular in thymidylate and methionine-methyl biosyntheses, are discussed by David M. Greenberg in an interest.ing review entitled “Biological Methylation.” Jacob A. Stekol’s contribution on t.he “Biochemical Basis for Ethionine Effects on Tissues” surveys the metabolism of ethionine both in the intact aninlal and in studies with tissue preparations and individual enzymes. Pnder the heading “Multiple Forms of Enzymes ,” Theodor Wieland and Gerhard Pflriderer offer an up-to-date account (in German) on this most recent subject. In addition to discussing isoenzymes, the actual representatives of this class, the authors include also a discussion on heteroenzymes and isoalloenzymes. The occurrence, isolation, measurement, chemistry, biosynthesis, and biochemical function of Coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) and of related compounds are reviewed b) Youssef Hatefi. Roger W. Jeanloz presents an excellent chapter entitled “Recent Developments in the Biochemistry of Amino Sugars, ” in which he describes the chemistry and biochemistry of acidic mucopolysaccharides and the linkage of amino sugars in glycoproteins. The volwm concludes with a chapter on “The Mechanism of Cacao (>uring” by W. G. C. E‘orsyt,h and V. C. Quesnel. Each chapt.er in this volume is expertly written and represents an original and valuable contribution from which the reader will greatly benefit. PETER
645
BERNFELI).
('crvlb~idge,
Massachusetts