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The enzymes of biological membranes, second edition. Volume 4. Bioenergetics of electron and proton transport
Camp. Biochem. Physiol. Vol. 85A, No. I, pp. 197-198, 1986 Pergamon Journals Ltd. Printed in Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS Collier Biology. Readings from Scieut@c Americaa-Edited by E. C. FRIEDBERG.156 pp. 1985. W. H. Freeman, New York. $12.95 (Paper).
Toxic susceptibility. Male/female differences-EDwaRD J. CALABRESE. 336 pp. 1985. John Wiley, New York. E61.35.
This useful volume contains 13 reprints from Scientijic American on cancer: environmental effects: effects of low level radiation; inducabie repair of DNA; bacterial tests for potential carcinogens; RNA direeted DNA synthesis; oncogenes; moleeutar basis of cancer; teratomas and chimaeras; va~~a~~tion of tumors; cancer immuno~o~; cancer metastasis. They are grouped in four sections and there is an introduction to each section putting the material into perspective.
Hormones the mesaangers of Bfe-LAWRENCE CRAFQ. 194 pp. 1985. W. H. Freeman, New York. $19.95 (cloth), $11.95 (paper). This book gives an account of the endocrine systems of the body and includes recent work on peptides, releasing hormones, genetic engineering and opiates receptors. It is written in a lively entertaining style and gives anecdotes, historical background and good factual info~ation. It could be read with pleasure and would be inst~ctive to most students.
There are differences between males and females. There are over 200 toxic substances for which sex-related differences occur as shown by tests on laboratory rats, mice and cats. However there are species differences and the results cannot be extrapolated to be true in all cases for Homo sapiens. There are sex differences in ~strointestinai absorption, plasma protein binding, bihary excretion and enzymatic detoxification. There are enzyme differences in aryl hydrocarbon hydrolases, epoxide hydroxylases, ~ucuronidation, sulfation, giutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase. Male rats are at greater risk to cadmium, carbon tetrachloride, gentamicin, chloroform, mercury and petrocarbons. Female rats had greater liver toxicity to Ammanila phalloides, D-galactosamine, ethionine and erotic acid. The book also gives a list of some 50 widely used compounds that show male/female differential toxicity in rats.
Metabolites aad metabolism: a commentary on secoadary me~~~~EDwIN HASAM. I61 pp. 1985. Clarendon Press, Oxford. S22.95.
Many compounds such as alkaloids, terpenes, polyenes, polyacetylenes, pigments, phenols and mycotoxins appear in nature but often appear to piay no explicit role in the The hinchemistry of tbe polypeptide homtooes-M. WALLIS, welfare or economy of the producer. Many important S. L. HOWELLand K. W. TAYLOR.488 pp. 1985. John Wiley, compounds (i.e. actinomycin, aflatoxin, alizarin, bulChichester. E39.50 (cloth), El4.95 (paper). bocapnine, caffeine, chloramphenicol, codeine, cantharathine, mescalin, morphine, nictotine, penicillin, psiThem has been a tremendous increase in our knowledge of locybin, quinine and strychnine) are considered and this the structure and mode of action of polypeptide hormones book discusses their chemistry and some of the major and this book provides an excellent account, written by themes of secondary metabolism. Sometimes the substances experienced teachers so that undergraduates and postare produced at a specific stage in the life cycle i.e. antibiotic graduates in medicine and science will find it easy to read synthesis with sporulation in fungi. In most cases the and understand. It has a good biochemical endocrinology secondary metabolites are clearly under the control of the bias so that the facts fit into the wider fr~ework of genetic code and are activated by different levels of nutrient endocrine function and control. All the pol~ptide horsupply. Though it has been considered that many of the mones are considered and in addition there are chapters on metabolites are detoxification products, it is more likely that structurefunction relationship, hormone receptors, 2nd they can play a role in the life of the organism, i.e. messengers and the application of recombinant DNA production of unpleasant or toxic metabolites to make them techniques. immune to attack by predators, as the products of overflow metabolism, or have an as yet undetermined role in the biochemistry of the organism. As a result of secondary SeI&ed topica from netsroehamistry-Edited by NEVILLE metabolism we have many natural products of value in pharmacology, enzymology, nutrition and medicine. This C)sBORNE.534 pp. 1985. Pergamon Press, Oxford. $85, f65. interesting book will stimulate the reader to consider the biochemical wealth of products in the living world and The journal Neurochemisrry International publishes minireviews and commentaries. Twenty-eight of these are re- appreciate new pathways and roles yet to be discovered. printed in this volume and the editor had the good idea of getting the author to write a post-script bringing the material up to date, and of getting another expert to evaluate and The enzymes of hioiogkal membranes,tmmd edWon.Volome criticise the review. In this way you get up to date reviews 1. Membrane stractare aod dyoamka. 451 pp. 1985. Plenum and also two points of view. The topics covered range from Press, New York. $59.50. Volome 2. Biiynthesis and metabneurotransmission, neural control of muscle, polyamine okn. 449 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $59.50. Volume 3. Membrane tramport. 676 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, metabolism, biogeneic amine theory of depression, function of GABA, adenosine receptors, benzodiazepine receptors, New York. $89.50. Volmn~ 4. iRoe&rgetks of electron aod monoamine synthesizing monoxygenases, pyridoxal phos- proton transport. 586 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $79.5~Edited by ANTHONY N. MAR’IY)NOSI. phate, thiamine deficiency encephalopathy, gangliosides, tubulin, calmodulin, B vitamins in the nervous system and many other topics of interest to pharmacologists, neuro- The first edition of this work appeared in 1976 and quickly chemists and physiologists. established itself as an important first source to provide 197
198
Book Reviews
orientation and data from the literature. The second edition has maintained this high standard by providing a series of new multi-authored integrative reviews on the major topics of membrane structure and function. The main title of the series is a little too restrictive since many of the topics covered (cytoskeletal proteins, gramicidin transmembrane channel, control of ionic channels, calcium induced potassium transport, sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane, cell coupling, membrane fluidity, the acetylcholine receptor and the beta adrenergic receptor) are concerned with the present knowledge of the structures and functions of membranes, external membranes, rnitochondrial membranes, chloroplast membranes and their enzyme activities (mitochrondrial oxidative phosphorylation, cytochrome oxidase, the cytochromes, ubiquinol, ADP/ATP carrier, the transferases, etc.) This second edition is strongly recommended as the best available synoptic review of what is known about membranes.
Receptor mediated targeting of drags. NATO AS1 series A. Life Sciences. Volume IQ-Edited by G. GREOORIALXS, G. POSTE,J. SENIOR and A. TROUET.491 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $79.50. If a drug can be bound to a ligand that recognizes and binds to the receptor surface on the target organ i.e. cancer cells, the drug can be given in lower effective concentrations and the side effects may be reduced. This volume contains the papers presented at a symposium held in Greece and discusses the use of monoclonal antibodies and liposomes as the targeting systems. Problems such as the delivery and release of the drug from the conjugate, the non toxicity of the conjugate and tissue barriers are discussed. Some success has been obtained with the linking of daunorubicin (DNR) to serum albumin through a tetrapeptide arm. This conjugated molecule was more effective than DNR alone in the treatment of murine leukemia. Similar success was obtained by linking the antimalarial drug primaquine to asialofetuin, a glycoprotein selectively taken up by hepatocytes. The conjugate was significantly more effective against the hepatic stage of malaria. This book provides a valuable guide to this important new stage in the biochemistry of drug design.
Advaaces in myocardiology. Volume &-Edited by N. S. DHALLAand D. J. HEARSE.669 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. 579.50. This symposium volume covers all the basic aspects of cardiac physiology, i.e. the role of calcium and calcium antagonists, phospholipids, nucleotides, beta adrenergic blocking agents, ischaemic-reperfusion injury, NMR studies and the role of the Na-K ATPase. The papers are grouped in four main sections: physiological aspects of heart function; metabolic aspects of heart function; pathophysiological aspects of heart dysfunction; and pharmacological aspects of heart disfunction. Each paper is preceded by a short abstract and has a reference list with full titles of quoted papers. The volume is well produced and, in addition to giving a clear picture of the research front
on myocardiology, shows the methodology and present thinking about the function and dysfunction of muscle. Biochemistry of lipids and membranes- Edited by D. E. VANCEand J. E. VANCE.593 pp. 198.5.Benjamin/Cummings, Menlo Park; Addison-Wesley, Wokingham. E34.95. This multi-authored volume has two objectives: to provide an advanced textbook in lipid and membrane biochemistry; and to provide a clear summary for research workers in these fields. It does both of these well. The chapters deal with: cholesterol, evolution of structure and function; physical properties and functional roles of lipids in membranes; lipid metabolism; oxidation of fatty acids; fatty acid synthesis; fatty acid desaturation and chain elongation; metabolism of triglycerides; phospholipid metabolism; either-linked glycerolipids; phospholipase; eicosanoids; sphingolipids; metabolism of cholesterol and lipoproteins; lipid assembly into cell membranes; and assembly of proteins into membranes. The chapters are well written, clearly illustrated, with a selected bibliography, and four to five problems per chapter (answers given at the back). This book is recommended reading for those who wish to go beyond the basic biochemistry textbooks and wish to have further insight into the dynamic role of lipids in the cell. Drags a&Hog lipid metabolism (VIII). Advances ia experimental medicine sod biology. Volume ltI3-Edited by D. KRITCHEVSKY, W. L. HOLMES and R. PAOL~X. 502 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $72.50. This volume contains papers presented at the 8th international symposium on drugs affecting lipid metabolism. New developments are presented on: receptors for lipoproteins; measurement, structure and genetics of hpoproteins; cellular biology of atherosclerosis, non-invasive assessment of atherosclerosis; hypolipidemic drugs (aryloxyacetic acid derivatives); and dietary factors affecting lipoproteins. The information presented shows our increased understanding of the molecular biology of Iipidemia and the resulting atherosclerosis and cardiac failure. Glycosylated hemoglobins. Methods of aaalysis sod clinical applications. Clinical and biochemical analysis series, Volume W-E. C. ABRAHAM.238 pp. 1985. Dekker, New York. $59.75 (USA), S71.50 (elsewhere). In diabetics, where the serum glucose level is relatively high, there is a tendency for the hemoglobin to be nonenzymatically glycosylated. The hexose can be linked to the amino terminal groups of the beta chains, the alpha chain amino terminus and the eta amino groups of the lysyl residues. Ten different glycosylated Hb have been identified. The glycosylated Hb levels reflect the average glucose concentration in the serum for the past 2-3 months. This book describes: the structure and function of the glycosylated Hb; the isolation and determination of their concentration; their presence in diabetes and hemolytic disease; and the glycosylation of other body proteins (albumin, lipoproteins. RBC, nerve proteins, collagen, lens crystallins, insulin and osteocalcin).
BOOK REVIEWS Collier Biology. Readings from Scieut@c Americaa-Edited by E. C. FRIEDBERG.156 pp. 1985. W. H. Freeman, New York. $12.95 (Paper).
Toxic susceptibility. Male/female differences-EDwaRD J. CALABRESE. 336 pp. 1985. John Wiley, New York. E61.35.
This useful volume contains 13 reprints from Scientijic American on cancer: environmental effects: effects of low level radiation; inducabie repair of DNA; bacterial tests for potential carcinogens; RNA direeted DNA synthesis; oncogenes; moleeutar basis of cancer; teratomas and chimaeras; va~~a~~tion of tumors; cancer immuno~o~; cancer metastasis. They are grouped in four sections and there is an introduction to each section putting the material into perspective.
Hormones the mesaangers of Bfe-LAWRENCE CRAFQ. 194 pp. 1985. W. H. Freeman, New York. $19.95 (cloth), $11.95 (paper). This book gives an account of the endocrine systems of the body and includes recent work on peptides, releasing hormones, genetic engineering and opiates receptors. It is written in a lively entertaining style and gives anecdotes, historical background and good factual info~ation. It could be read with pleasure and would be inst~ctive to most students.
There are differences between males and females. There are over 200 toxic substances for which sex-related differences occur as shown by tests on laboratory rats, mice and cats. However there are species differences and the results cannot be extrapolated to be true in all cases for Homo sapiens. There are sex differences in ~strointestinai absorption, plasma protein binding, bihary excretion and enzymatic detoxification. There are enzyme differences in aryl hydrocarbon hydrolases, epoxide hydroxylases, ~ucuronidation, sulfation, giutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase. Male rats are at greater risk to cadmium, carbon tetrachloride, gentamicin, chloroform, mercury and petrocarbons. Female rats had greater liver toxicity to Ammanila phalloides, D-galactosamine, ethionine and erotic acid. The book also gives a list of some 50 widely used compounds that show male/female differential toxicity in rats.
Metabolites aad metabolism: a commentary on secoadary me~~~~EDwIN HASAM. I61 pp. 1985. Clarendon Press, Oxford. S22.95.
Many compounds such as alkaloids, terpenes, polyenes, polyacetylenes, pigments, phenols and mycotoxins appear in nature but often appear to piay no explicit role in the The hinchemistry of tbe polypeptide homtooes-M. WALLIS, welfare or economy of the producer. Many important S. L. HOWELLand K. W. TAYLOR.488 pp. 1985. John Wiley, compounds (i.e. actinomycin, aflatoxin, alizarin, bulChichester. E39.50 (cloth), El4.95 (paper). bocapnine, caffeine, chloramphenicol, codeine, cantharathine, mescalin, morphine, nictotine, penicillin, psiThem has been a tremendous increase in our knowledge of locybin, quinine and strychnine) are considered and this the structure and mode of action of polypeptide hormones book discusses their chemistry and some of the major and this book provides an excellent account, written by themes of secondary metabolism. Sometimes the substances experienced teachers so that undergraduates and postare produced at a specific stage in the life cycle i.e. antibiotic graduates in medicine and science will find it easy to read synthesis with sporulation in fungi. In most cases the and understand. It has a good biochemical endocrinology secondary metabolites are clearly under the control of the bias so that the facts fit into the wider fr~ework of genetic code and are activated by different levels of nutrient endocrine function and control. All the pol~ptide horsupply. Though it has been considered that many of the mones are considered and in addition there are chapters on metabolites are detoxification products, it is more likely that structurefunction relationship, hormone receptors, 2nd they can play a role in the life of the organism, i.e. messengers and the application of recombinant DNA production of unpleasant or toxic metabolites to make them techniques. immune to attack by predators, as the products of overflow metabolism, or have an as yet undetermined role in the biochemistry of the organism. As a result of secondary SeI&ed topica from netsroehamistry-Edited by NEVILLE metabolism we have many natural products of value in pharmacology, enzymology, nutrition and medicine. This C)sBORNE.534 pp. 1985. Pergamon Press, Oxford. $85, f65. interesting book will stimulate the reader to consider the biochemical wealth of products in the living world and The journal Neurochemisrry International publishes minireviews and commentaries. Twenty-eight of these are re- appreciate new pathways and roles yet to be discovered. printed in this volume and the editor had the good idea of getting the author to write a post-script bringing the material up to date, and of getting another expert to evaluate and The enzymes of hioiogkal membranes,tmmd edWon.Volome criticise the review. In this way you get up to date reviews 1. Membrane stractare aod dyoamka. 451 pp. 1985. Plenum and also two points of view. The topics covered range from Press, New York. $59.50. Volome 2. Biiynthesis and metabneurotransmission, neural control of muscle, polyamine okn. 449 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $59.50. Volume 3. Membrane tramport. 676 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, metabolism, biogeneic amine theory of depression, function of GABA, adenosine receptors, benzodiazepine receptors, New York. $89.50. Volmn~ 4. iRoe&rgetks of electron aod monoamine synthesizing monoxygenases, pyridoxal phos- proton transport. 586 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $79.5~Edited by ANTHONY N. MAR’IY)NOSI. phate, thiamine deficiency encephalopathy, gangliosides, tubulin, calmodulin, B vitamins in the nervous system and many other topics of interest to pharmacologists, neuro- The first edition of this work appeared in 1976 and quickly chemists and physiologists. established itself as an important first source to provide 197
198
Book Reviews
orientation and data from the literature. The second edition has maintained this high standard by providing a series of new multi-authored integrative reviews on the major topics of membrane structure and function. The main title of the series is a little too restrictive since many of the topics covered (cytoskeletal proteins, gramicidin transmembrane channel, control of ionic channels, calcium induced potassium transport, sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane, cell coupling, membrane fluidity, the acetylcholine receptor and the beta adrenergic receptor) are concerned with the present knowledge of the structures and functions of membranes, external membranes, rnitochondrial membranes, chloroplast membranes and their enzyme activities (mitochrondrial oxidative phosphorylation, cytochrome oxidase, the cytochromes, ubiquinol, ADP/ATP carrier, the transferases, etc.) This second edition is strongly recommended as the best available synoptic review of what is known about membranes.
Receptor mediated targeting of drags. NATO AS1 series A. Life Sciences. Volume IQ-Edited by G. GREOORIALXS, G. POSTE,J. SENIOR and A. TROUET.491 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $79.50. If a drug can be bound to a ligand that recognizes and binds to the receptor surface on the target organ i.e. cancer cells, the drug can be given in lower effective concentrations and the side effects may be reduced. This volume contains the papers presented at a symposium held in Greece and discusses the use of monoclonal antibodies and liposomes as the targeting systems. Problems such as the delivery and release of the drug from the conjugate, the non toxicity of the conjugate and tissue barriers are discussed. Some success has been obtained with the linking of daunorubicin (DNR) to serum albumin through a tetrapeptide arm. This conjugated molecule was more effective than DNR alone in the treatment of murine leukemia. Similar success was obtained by linking the antimalarial drug primaquine to asialofetuin, a glycoprotein selectively taken up by hepatocytes. The conjugate was significantly more effective against the hepatic stage of malaria. This book provides a valuable guide to this important new stage in the biochemistry of drug design.
Advaaces in myocardiology. Volume &-Edited by N. S. DHALLAand D. J. HEARSE.669 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. 579.50. This symposium volume covers all the basic aspects of cardiac physiology, i.e. the role of calcium and calcium antagonists, phospholipids, nucleotides, beta adrenergic blocking agents, ischaemic-reperfusion injury, NMR studies and the role of the Na-K ATPase. The papers are grouped in four main sections: physiological aspects of heart function; metabolic aspects of heart function; pathophysiological aspects of heart dysfunction; and pharmacological aspects of heart disfunction. Each paper is preceded by a short abstract and has a reference list with full titles of quoted papers. The volume is well produced and, in addition to giving a clear picture of the research front
on myocardiology, shows the methodology and present thinking about the function and dysfunction of muscle. Biochemistry of lipids and membranes- Edited by D. E. VANCEand J. E. VANCE.593 pp. 198.5.Benjamin/Cummings, Menlo Park; Addison-Wesley, Wokingham. E34.95. This multi-authored volume has two objectives: to provide an advanced textbook in lipid and membrane biochemistry; and to provide a clear summary for research workers in these fields. It does both of these well. The chapters deal with: cholesterol, evolution of structure and function; physical properties and functional roles of lipids in membranes; lipid metabolism; oxidation of fatty acids; fatty acid synthesis; fatty acid desaturation and chain elongation; metabolism of triglycerides; phospholipid metabolism; either-linked glycerolipids; phospholipase; eicosanoids; sphingolipids; metabolism of cholesterol and lipoproteins; lipid assembly into cell membranes; and assembly of proteins into membranes. The chapters are well written, clearly illustrated, with a selected bibliography, and four to five problems per chapter (answers given at the back). This book is recommended reading for those who wish to go beyond the basic biochemistry textbooks and wish to have further insight into the dynamic role of lipids in the cell. Drags a&Hog lipid metabolism (VIII). Advances ia experimental medicine sod biology. Volume ltI3-Edited by D. KRITCHEVSKY, W. L. HOLMES and R. PAOL~X. 502 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $72.50. This volume contains papers presented at the 8th international symposium on drugs affecting lipid metabolism. New developments are presented on: receptors for lipoproteins; measurement, structure and genetics of hpoproteins; cellular biology of atherosclerosis, non-invasive assessment of atherosclerosis; hypolipidemic drugs (aryloxyacetic acid derivatives); and dietary factors affecting lipoproteins. The information presented shows our increased understanding of the molecular biology of Iipidemia and the resulting atherosclerosis and cardiac failure. Glycosylated hemoglobins. Methods of aaalysis sod clinical applications. Clinical and biochemical analysis series, Volume W-E. C. ABRAHAM.238 pp. 1985. Dekker, New York. $59.75 (USA), S71.50 (elsewhere). In diabetics, where the serum glucose level is relatively high, there is a tendency for the hemoglobin to be nonenzymatically glycosylated. The hexose can be linked to the amino terminal groups of the beta chains, the alpha chain amino terminus and the eta amino groups of the lysyl residues. Ten different glycosylated Hb have been identified. The glycosylated Hb levels reflect the average glucose concentration in the serum for the past 2-3 months. This book describes: the structure and function of the glycosylated Hb; the isolation and determination of their concentration; their presence in diabetes and hemolytic disease; and the glycosylation of other body proteins (albumin, lipoproteins. RBC, nerve proteins, collagen, lens crystallins, insulin and osteocalcin).