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Amino-acids, peptides and proteins, vol. 9
Journal of Molecular Structure, 52 (1979) 309 © Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam -- Printed in The Netherlands Book reviews
Amino-Acids, Peptides and Proteins, Vol. 9, edited by R. C. Sheppard, Specialist Periodical Report, The Chemical Society, London, 1978, pp. xxi + 560, price £31.00. This Specialist Periodical Report covers the chemistry of amino-acids, peptides and proteins published during 1976. As in previous volumes, the coverage of this wide-ranging area is very comprehensive, providing a vital and unique source of reference for those working in this field. The chapters again include the following subjects: (1) Amino-acids; (2) Structural Investigation of Peptides and Proteins; (3) Peptide Synthesis; (4) Peptides with Structural Features not found in Proteins; (5) Chemical Structure and Biological Activity of Hormones and Related Compounds; (6) Metal Complexes of Amino-acids, Peptides and Proteins. The growth of Chapter 2 has unbalanced the format somewhat, resulting in this chapter occupying half the book, whereas Chapters 1, 4 and 6 combined occupy only 15% of the total pages. In using 32 Reporters there is inevitably some overlap between chapters, but this in no way detracts from the general usefulness of this Volume. From the point of view of molecular structure and conformation, amino-acids are dealt with briefly and relatively uncritically in Chapter 1, covering X-ray diffraction, n.m.r, and c.d./o.r.d, studies. In the mammoth Chapter 2, an impressive survey of the isolation, general properties and sequence of proteins is followed by an excellent review of the crystal structures of peptides and proteins, including a useful summary Table. This is followed by solution studies of conformation by theoretical, immunological, c.d., magnetic c.d., fluorescence, i.r., n.m.r, and M~issbauer spectroscopy, and completed by articles on protein association and the use of spin labels. Further interesting conformational studies on cyclic peptides are reported in Chapter 4. In the growth area devoted to peptide hormones (Chapter 5), the lack of success in relating structure/conformation to activity is indicative of the general flexibility of small linear peptides in solution. More success has been achieved with the more rigid metal complexes of amino-acids, peptides and proteins (Chapter 6), particularly in studies of the metal binding sites in the active sites of enzymes. In conclusion, this Volume, with some 3,700 references, is highly recommended to all those interested in this wide field, which encompasses multidisciplinary research from theoretical physics through chemistry, biochemistry and biology to pharmacology. The Editor and Reporters are to be congratulated on continuing to provide an excellent review series. Unfortunately, the cost of this Volume appears to be out of the range of most individual purchasers, and if'this trend continues, future volumes may well be purchased only by libraries. W. A. T.
Amino-Acids, Peptides and Proteins, Vol. 9, edited by R. C. Sheppard, Specialist Periodical Report, The Chemical Society, London, 1978, pp. xxi + 560, price £31.00. This Specialist Periodical Report covers the chemistry of amino-acids, peptides and proteins published during 1976. As in previous volumes, the coverage of this wide-ranging area is very comprehensive, providing a vital and unique source of reference for those working in this field. The chapters again include the following subjects: (1) Amino-acids; (2) Structural Investigation of Peptides and Proteins; (3) Peptide Synthesis; (4) Peptides with Structural Features not found in Proteins; (5) Chemical Structure and Biological Activity of Hormones and Related Compounds; (6) Metal Complexes of Amino-acids, Peptides and Proteins. The growth of Chapter 2 has unbalanced the format somewhat, resulting in this chapter occupying half the book, whereas Chapters 1, 4 and 6 combined occupy only 15% of the total pages. In using 32 Reporters there is inevitably some overlap between chapters, but this in no way detracts from the general usefulness of this Volume. From the point of view of molecular structure and conformation, amino-acids are dealt with briefly and relatively uncritically in Chapter 1, covering X-ray diffraction, n.m.r, and c.d./o.r.d, studies. In the mammoth Chapter 2, an impressive survey of the isolation, general properties and sequence of proteins is followed by an excellent review of the crystal structures of peptides and proteins, including a useful summary Table. This is followed by solution studies of conformation by theoretical, immunological, c.d., magnetic c.d., fluorescence, i.r., n.m.r, and M~issbauer spectroscopy, and completed by articles on protein association and the use of spin labels. Further interesting conformational studies on cyclic peptides are reported in Chapter 4. In the growth area devoted to peptide hormones (Chapter 5), the lack of success in relating structure/conformation to activity is indicative of the general flexibility of small linear peptides in solution. More success has been achieved with the more rigid metal complexes of amino-acids, peptides and proteins (Chapter 6), particularly in studies of the metal binding sites in the active sites of enzymes. In conclusion, this Volume, with some 3,700 references, is highly recommended to all those interested in this wide field, which encompasses multidisciplinary research from theoretical physics through chemistry, biochemistry and biology to pharmacology. The Editor and Reporters are to be congratulated on continuing to provide an excellent review series. Unfortunately, the cost of this Volume appears to be out of the range of most individual purchasers, and if'this trend continues, future volumes may well be purchased only by libraries. W. A. T.