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Advances in enzymology and related areas of molecular biology, Vol. 67
282
Book
Reviews
I J. Exp. Mar. Bid.
Ed.
19.3 (199.f) 277-29-T
field from simple probability and different types of distribution to multiple regression and non-parametric statistics. The summary of statistical formulae is also useful for those with statistical knowledge who need some information to decide what test to use and how to use it. I imagine that this book will continue to be recommended as the preferred text for courses on statistics throughout the country. It contains information which should be learnt by all biologists, however, I have my doubts as to whether it will even be read by many of the younger generation. Matthew Evans Department of Biological University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK
and Molecular
Sciences
Advances in Enzymology and Related Areas of Molecular Biology, Vol. 67, edited by Alton Meister; John Wiley and Sons, Chichester; 1993; 509 pp.; GBP 103.00; ISBN O-471-582794-4. There can be few biochemists who have not heard of and used this series. It sets out to invite distinguished workers in a given area to write a review on a topic with emphasis on their own work. The main value of such works is in providing authoritative reviews for the non-specialist. This volume contains six such reviews. Two possible strategies might be adopted by the editorial board in choosing the authors for such a volume, either to create a volume with related chapters so concentrating on one particular subject to the exclusion of all else, or to ensure that each chapter topic differs and to provide a general volume. The latter approach has been the hallmark of the Annual Reviews series. This Advances in Enzymology volume unfortunately falls into neither category having two chapter titles that are related, one on the “Post-translational Modification of Proteins” and the other on “MyristoylCoA: protein N-Myristoyl-transferase”. Both are important subjects in their own right but, because the latter carries out one form of post-translational modification, these titles are too alike to be in the same volume of a general book. It is also possible to be critical of the large differences in chapter length. About a third of the whole book is devoted to the “Phenylalanine Hydroxylating system” while less than 10% of the book is occupied by the chapter on post-translational modification of proteins. But these are editorial problems; what about the individual chapters. The book starts off well with an excellent review of the use of chemical and genetic probes of the active site of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/ Oxygenase (RUBISCO) by Hartman & Harpel. There are clear sections on the structure and mechanism of this, the most abundant protein in the world. I particularly liked the discussion of the value of individual attempts at generating mutant forms of the enzyme. The authors have a nice realistic approach when
Book
Reviews
I J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol.
193 (1995) 277-295
283
they point out that activity may be lost in a mutant, not because a particular residue is important in catalysis, but for such trivial reasons as a failure to fold or associate properly. While I enjoyed that chapter I found the one on phenylalanine hydroxylation by Kaufman far too long-winded and detailed for other than the few specialists. I was particularly disappointed in the contribution of Krishna & Wold on post-translational modification of proteins. This very important topic is dismissed in only 34 pages including the references. While the authors quite correctly avoided over-emphasis of phosphorylation, too little space was given to most topics. Only half a page on ubiquitin and only a little more text on membrane protein anchors suggests these are trivial items. The most substantial item in this contribution is a table of all the amino-acid derivatives known to occur in proteins. This chapter was an opportunity lost, but perhaps the subject is too big for any individual contribution. The section by Mortenson et al. on “The role of metal clusters and MgATP in nitrogenase catalysis” was more valuable. It discusses the historical development of our present knowledge of nitrogenase, the structures of the metal clusters, the recent advances produced by the application of molecular genetics and site directed mutagenesis, before considering the authors’ views on the most important mechanistic observations. Although the current models are well discussed, it is obvious that despite all the effort expended a detailed mechanism for the enzyme is still elusive, not least because the results of each hydride ion or proton transfer step do not provide readily isolatable intermediates. The contribution on MyristoylCoA:protein N-Myristoyltransferase (Rudnick et al.) will be useful to those with an interest in fatty-acid modifications of proteins. These important modifications are all too often ignored by biochemists. The final chapter in the book is a highly personal account by Wu of the contribution of enzymes, notably DNA polymerase, to the goal of sequencing the human and other genomes. Essentially this chapter is a description of the author’s life work and it will be useful to students wanting to view progress since the start of the field in 1967 through the eyes of one of the key players. A valuable insight is given into the reasoning behind the individual methodologies and the advances that resulted. The enthusiasm of Wu for his subject is evident, not least in his concluding prediction that 90% of the human genome (and several other major genomes) will be complete by 2005. I find it difficult to endorse this book for personal purchase and it is certainly not a book to read from cover to cover. Like the proverbial “curates egg” it is good in parts. This is a book for the library, to be consulted by people wishing to advance their knowledge in a given area. S. Brian Wilson Department of Molecular University of Aberdeen Marischal College Aberdeen AB9 1AS UK
and Cell Biology
Book
Reviews
I J. Exp. Mar. Bid.
Ed.
19.3 (199.f) 277-29-T
field from simple probability and different types of distribution to multiple regression and non-parametric statistics. The summary of statistical formulae is also useful for those with statistical knowledge who need some information to decide what test to use and how to use it. I imagine that this book will continue to be recommended as the preferred text for courses on statistics throughout the country. It contains information which should be learnt by all biologists, however, I have my doubts as to whether it will even be read by many of the younger generation. Matthew Evans Department of Biological University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA UK
and Molecular
Sciences
Advances in Enzymology and Related Areas of Molecular Biology, Vol. 67, edited by Alton Meister; John Wiley and Sons, Chichester; 1993; 509 pp.; GBP 103.00; ISBN O-471-582794-4. There can be few biochemists who have not heard of and used this series. It sets out to invite distinguished workers in a given area to write a review on a topic with emphasis on their own work. The main value of such works is in providing authoritative reviews for the non-specialist. This volume contains six such reviews. Two possible strategies might be adopted by the editorial board in choosing the authors for such a volume, either to create a volume with related chapters so concentrating on one particular subject to the exclusion of all else, or to ensure that each chapter topic differs and to provide a general volume. The latter approach has been the hallmark of the Annual Reviews series. This Advances in Enzymology volume unfortunately falls into neither category having two chapter titles that are related, one on the “Post-translational Modification of Proteins” and the other on “MyristoylCoA: protein N-Myristoyl-transferase”. Both are important subjects in their own right but, because the latter carries out one form of post-translational modification, these titles are too alike to be in the same volume of a general book. It is also possible to be critical of the large differences in chapter length. About a third of the whole book is devoted to the “Phenylalanine Hydroxylating system” while less than 10% of the book is occupied by the chapter on post-translational modification of proteins. But these are editorial problems; what about the individual chapters. The book starts off well with an excellent review of the use of chemical and genetic probes of the active site of Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/ Oxygenase (RUBISCO) by Hartman & Harpel. There are clear sections on the structure and mechanism of this, the most abundant protein in the world. I particularly liked the discussion of the value of individual attempts at generating mutant forms of the enzyme. The authors have a nice realistic approach when
Book
Reviews
I J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol.
193 (1995) 277-295
283
they point out that activity may be lost in a mutant, not because a particular residue is important in catalysis, but for such trivial reasons as a failure to fold or associate properly. While I enjoyed that chapter I found the one on phenylalanine hydroxylation by Kaufman far too long-winded and detailed for other than the few specialists. I was particularly disappointed in the contribution of Krishna & Wold on post-translational modification of proteins. This very important topic is dismissed in only 34 pages including the references. While the authors quite correctly avoided over-emphasis of phosphorylation, too little space was given to most topics. Only half a page on ubiquitin and only a little more text on membrane protein anchors suggests these are trivial items. The most substantial item in this contribution is a table of all the amino-acid derivatives known to occur in proteins. This chapter was an opportunity lost, but perhaps the subject is too big for any individual contribution. The section by Mortenson et al. on “The role of metal clusters and MgATP in nitrogenase catalysis” was more valuable. It discusses the historical development of our present knowledge of nitrogenase, the structures of the metal clusters, the recent advances produced by the application of molecular genetics and site directed mutagenesis, before considering the authors’ views on the most important mechanistic observations. Although the current models are well discussed, it is obvious that despite all the effort expended a detailed mechanism for the enzyme is still elusive, not least because the results of each hydride ion or proton transfer step do not provide readily isolatable intermediates. The contribution on MyristoylCoA:protein N-Myristoyltransferase (Rudnick et al.) will be useful to those with an interest in fatty-acid modifications of proteins. These important modifications are all too often ignored by biochemists. The final chapter in the book is a highly personal account by Wu of the contribution of enzymes, notably DNA polymerase, to the goal of sequencing the human and other genomes. Essentially this chapter is a description of the author’s life work and it will be useful to students wanting to view progress since the start of the field in 1967 through the eyes of one of the key players. A valuable insight is given into the reasoning behind the individual methodologies and the advances that resulted. The enthusiasm of Wu for his subject is evident, not least in his concluding prediction that 90% of the human genome (and several other major genomes) will be complete by 2005. I find it difficult to endorse this book for personal purchase and it is certainly not a book to read from cover to cover. Like the proverbial “curates egg” it is good in parts. This is a book for the library, to be consulted by people wishing to advance their knowledge in a given area. S. Brian Wilson Department of Molecular University of Aberdeen Marischal College Aberdeen AB9 1AS UK
and Cell Biology