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Advances in enzymology and related subjects of biochemistry. Vol. XIX
552
BOOK
REVIEWS
Advances in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Biochemistry. Vol. XIX. Edited by F. F. NORD, Fordham University, New York. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, N. Y., 1957. 389 pp. Price $9.85. The current volume of Advances in Enzymology is noteworthy for the breadth and depth of its coverage. Rapid developments in many areas continue to supply the justification for review articles that have become the means by which workers and students can maintain a useful contact with biochemistry. In the 19th volume, the editor has included the following topics: photosynthesis, previously reviewed in Vols. 1 and 11; oxygen metabolism, a new area of biochemical research; amino acid activation, also a new area; papain, a thorough study of one enzyme; and the routes of assimilation and dissimilation of nitrogen in animals, an evaluation of the physiological significance of some enzyme reactions. These five articles illustrate the dramatic changes that occur in certain areas within a few years, the revelation of new horizons on the frontiers of biochemistry, the insight that new techniques have given into the structure and function of enzymes, and the evolution of enzymology into a basic tool for the understanding of pbysiology. But in spite of the impressive progress reported, each of the articles emphasizes the unanswered questions to which future reviews must be directed. The article by Vishniac, Horecker, and Ochoa entitled “Enzymatic Aspects of Photosynthesis” deserves a more inclusive designation, for it surveys all aspects of carbohydrate metabolism of plants. In addition to a detailed summary of carbohydrate metabolism, which can be explained by known enzymes, the light reaction, hydrogen transfer, phosphorylation, and oxygen evolution are discussed. Many aspects of this field remain controversial, and the authors are to be commended for their objectivity in reporting conflicting points of view. For example, the hypothesis of Warburg on the mechanism of CO* fixation is presented in detail, although it is difficult to reconcile his proposals with the photosynthetic cycle elaborated through the work of others, including the authors of the article. Reactions of molecular oxygen are appropriately reviewed by Mason, who first demonstrated the enzymic addition of atoms from molecular oxygen to substrates. In an unusually exhaustive review (842 references), he has described the many reactions now known to utilize molecular oxygen and others which might. He has also speculated in detail about the mechanisms that may be involved. The description of phenylalanine hydroxylation has been in part modified by the work of Kaufman, reported since the review was written, and recent work by Hayaishi has shown extensive incorporation of molecular oxygen into certain organisms. Such items indicate the continued activity and expanded scope that may be anticipated in this field. Wieland and Pfleiderer have summarized the chemistry of acyl activation of amino acids in an unusually terse review (in German). They have included a number of chemical processes which may theoretically be applied to biological polypeptide formation, and have surveyed the known biochemical activations from the point of view of reaction mechanism and model reactions. Studies on papain since 1880, but largely during the last several years in Smith’s laboratory, are described in great detail by Kimmel and Smith. The large number of ap-
BOOK
REVIEWS
553
proaches employed have produced a wealth of information of interest to all concerned about the structure and biological functions of proteins, but the major problem of the nature of the catalytic reaction remains unsolved. Braunstein has emphasized the major metabolic role of transaminases in both the synthesis and degradation of amino acids. Using extensively results from his own laboratory, he demonstrates the primary role of glutamic dehydrogenase in formation and utilization of ammonia and the obligatory participation of aspartate as the donor of the second nitrogen of urea, in the reaction described by Ratner. This article summarizes in French much material previously published only in Russian. ALAN H. MEHLER, Bethesda, Maryland
Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry. Vol. 12. Edited by MELVILLE L. WOLFROM, Department of Chemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and R. STUART TIPSON, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Academic Press Inc., New York, N. Y., 1957. xi + 356 pp. Price $10.00. Volume 12 of Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry follows the pattern of previous volumes in that the articles are of exceptionally high caliber. As is the policy of Advances, the book reviews many facets of carbohydrate chemistry. These include structural analyses by physical methods, the fundamental organic chemistry of sugars, and topics of biochemical interest. Again, a large portion of the subject matter has been contributed by eminent English scientists. The excellent biography of Phoebus A. Levene, which was written by R. Stuart Tipson, a long-time associate of Levene’s at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, was of particular interest to the reviewer as it must be to numerous others who have had the opportunity to collaborate with this outstanding carbohydrate chemist. W. Brock Neely’s compilation of information on the application of infrared spectroscopy to varied carbohydrate substances is timely. The utilization of solid samples pressed with potassium bromide together withnew information on assignment of observed bands to specific functional groups in the carbohydrate structure should greatly facilitate the use of infrared absorption as an auxiliary tool in structural investigations. In the contribution on the saccharinic acids, J. C. Sowden has comprehensively surveyed a subject as old as carbohydrate chemistry, which is presently being investigated using the modern techniques of chromatography, ion exchange, and radioactive labeling. Details on preparation, structure, and configuration of the saccharinic acids are given. Also reviewed are mechanisms of formation postulated for these acids. A table of properties of selected derivatives is included. To bring the chromatography of carbohydrates up to date, A. B. Foster has described the most recent developments in zone electrophoresis for the separation of carbohydrate entities. The advantage of this technique over paper chromatography is that of improved separation in a short time. However, these methods generally are capable of complementing each other. Zone electrophoresis has been used mostly with carbohydrates in the presence of borate and with meth-
BOOK
REVIEWS
Advances in Enzymology and Related Subjects of Biochemistry. Vol. XIX. Edited by F. F. NORD, Fordham University, New York. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, N. Y., 1957. 389 pp. Price $9.85. The current volume of Advances in Enzymology is noteworthy for the breadth and depth of its coverage. Rapid developments in many areas continue to supply the justification for review articles that have become the means by which workers and students can maintain a useful contact with biochemistry. In the 19th volume, the editor has included the following topics: photosynthesis, previously reviewed in Vols. 1 and 11; oxygen metabolism, a new area of biochemical research; amino acid activation, also a new area; papain, a thorough study of one enzyme; and the routes of assimilation and dissimilation of nitrogen in animals, an evaluation of the physiological significance of some enzyme reactions. These five articles illustrate the dramatic changes that occur in certain areas within a few years, the revelation of new horizons on the frontiers of biochemistry, the insight that new techniques have given into the structure and function of enzymes, and the evolution of enzymology into a basic tool for the understanding of pbysiology. But in spite of the impressive progress reported, each of the articles emphasizes the unanswered questions to which future reviews must be directed. The article by Vishniac, Horecker, and Ochoa entitled “Enzymatic Aspects of Photosynthesis” deserves a more inclusive designation, for it surveys all aspects of carbohydrate metabolism of plants. In addition to a detailed summary of carbohydrate metabolism, which can be explained by known enzymes, the light reaction, hydrogen transfer, phosphorylation, and oxygen evolution are discussed. Many aspects of this field remain controversial, and the authors are to be commended for their objectivity in reporting conflicting points of view. For example, the hypothesis of Warburg on the mechanism of CO* fixation is presented in detail, although it is difficult to reconcile his proposals with the photosynthetic cycle elaborated through the work of others, including the authors of the article. Reactions of molecular oxygen are appropriately reviewed by Mason, who first demonstrated the enzymic addition of atoms from molecular oxygen to substrates. In an unusually exhaustive review (842 references), he has described the many reactions now known to utilize molecular oxygen and others which might. He has also speculated in detail about the mechanisms that may be involved. The description of phenylalanine hydroxylation has been in part modified by the work of Kaufman, reported since the review was written, and recent work by Hayaishi has shown extensive incorporation of molecular oxygen into certain organisms. Such items indicate the continued activity and expanded scope that may be anticipated in this field. Wieland and Pfleiderer have summarized the chemistry of acyl activation of amino acids in an unusually terse review (in German). They have included a number of chemical processes which may theoretically be applied to biological polypeptide formation, and have surveyed the known biochemical activations from the point of view of reaction mechanism and model reactions. Studies on papain since 1880, but largely during the last several years in Smith’s laboratory, are described in great detail by Kimmel and Smith. The large number of ap-
BOOK
REVIEWS
553
proaches employed have produced a wealth of information of interest to all concerned about the structure and biological functions of proteins, but the major problem of the nature of the catalytic reaction remains unsolved. Braunstein has emphasized the major metabolic role of transaminases in both the synthesis and degradation of amino acids. Using extensively results from his own laboratory, he demonstrates the primary role of glutamic dehydrogenase in formation and utilization of ammonia and the obligatory participation of aspartate as the donor of the second nitrogen of urea, in the reaction described by Ratner. This article summarizes in French much material previously published only in Russian. ALAN H. MEHLER, Bethesda, Maryland
Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry. Vol. 12. Edited by MELVILLE L. WOLFROM, Department of Chemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and R. STUART TIPSON, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. Academic Press Inc., New York, N. Y., 1957. xi + 356 pp. Price $10.00. Volume 12 of Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry follows the pattern of previous volumes in that the articles are of exceptionally high caliber. As is the policy of Advances, the book reviews many facets of carbohydrate chemistry. These include structural analyses by physical methods, the fundamental organic chemistry of sugars, and topics of biochemical interest. Again, a large portion of the subject matter has been contributed by eminent English scientists. The excellent biography of Phoebus A. Levene, which was written by R. Stuart Tipson, a long-time associate of Levene’s at the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, was of particular interest to the reviewer as it must be to numerous others who have had the opportunity to collaborate with this outstanding carbohydrate chemist. W. Brock Neely’s compilation of information on the application of infrared spectroscopy to varied carbohydrate substances is timely. The utilization of solid samples pressed with potassium bromide together withnew information on assignment of observed bands to specific functional groups in the carbohydrate structure should greatly facilitate the use of infrared absorption as an auxiliary tool in structural investigations. In the contribution on the saccharinic acids, J. C. Sowden has comprehensively surveyed a subject as old as carbohydrate chemistry, which is presently being investigated using the modern techniques of chromatography, ion exchange, and radioactive labeling. Details on preparation, structure, and configuration of the saccharinic acids are given. Also reviewed are mechanisms of formation postulated for these acids. A table of properties of selected derivatives is included. To bring the chromatography of carbohydrates up to date, A. B. Foster has described the most recent developments in zone electrophoresis for the separation of carbohydrate entities. The advantage of this technique over paper chromatography is that of improved separation in a short time. However, these methods generally are capable of complementing each other. Zone electrophoresis has been used mostly with carbohydrates in the presence of borate and with meth-