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Biochemistry and the central nervous system
Int. J. Biochem. Vol. 18, No. 6, pp. 573-574, 1986 Printed in Great Britain
0020-71 IX/86 $3.00 4-.0.00 1986 Pergamon Press Ltd
BOOK REVIEWS Molecular Basis of Insulin Action---Edited by M. P. CZECH. 473 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $59.50. Insulin was the first protein to be analysed and considerable progress has been made in elucidation of its mode of action and the nature of the insulin receptor. The insulin receptor is a heterotetrameric disulphide linked structure. The units seem to be a 90 K S-S linked to a 125 K, and this is linked by S-S to another such unit, i.e. 90-S-S- 125-S-S-125-S-S-90. The receptor associated tyrosine kinase activity is activated by tyrosine phosphorylation of its beta subunit, which may be an important regulatory mechanism in intact cells. After insulin binds to the receptor the whole complex is taken into the cell (internalized by endocytosis). Insulin increases the uptake of glucose into adipocytes by a factor of ten probably by increasing the recruitment of insulin receptors into the membrane. Insulin acts by stimulating exocytosis rather than inhibiting endocytosis. Insulin also stimulates a (Na÷-K ÷) ATPase, causes hyperpolarization of skeletal muscle, dissociates calmodulin from its association with (Ca 2÷, Mg 2+) ATPase/calcium transport complex, affects muscle glycogen synthase, and regulates acetyl CoA carboxylase. These and other functions of insulin are fully discussed in this interesting multi-authored volume.
chapter headings are; thyroid hormones; mechanisms of gonadal steroid actions on behavior; adrenocortical hormone action; neurotensin; CCK; Beta-lipotropin; prolactin; TRH; calmodulin; gastrointestinal peptides; peptidergic systems; neurosecretion; control of monoamine synthesis by precurser availability; cerebral subsystems and isolated tissues; memory; neurochemical correlates of learning impairment; behavioural and neurochemical effects of ACTH; pain transmission: neurochemistry of sleep; intraocular fluids and microenvironment of the retina; retina; vision; cell cultures.
Handbook of Neurochemistry, 2nd edn--Edited by ABEL LAJTHA. Vol. 9: Alterations of Metabolites in the Nervous System. 595 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $85.
Biochemistry and the Central Nervous System, 5th edn-HENRY MCILWAIN and HERMAN S. BACHELARD. 660 pp. 1985. Churchill Livingstone, London. $69.
The topics described in this volume are as follows: molecular aspects of nerve regeneration; biochemical mechanisms underlying primary degeneration of axons: pathology of axonal transport; adaptive properties of monoaminergic neurons; lithium; malnutrition and brain development; ageing; experimental aminoacidemias; alcohol; nicotine; opioids; neurone specific cytotoxins; neuroleptics; anticonvulsants; anaesthetics; hallucinogens; wallerian degeneration; experimental allergic neuritis and peripheral neuropathies; experimental allergic encephalitis; brain ischaemia. The articles are of a high standard and written in such a way that the less specialized reader can easily follow the evidence and the arguments and see the way that modern developments fit into the historic background. Though it is not indicated in the over all plan of the volumes, it would be of great assistance if there was a general index to all ten volumes to enable the reader to locate what is where in each volume.
The new edition of this well known textbook is nearly 50% larger than the 4th edition and provides an excellent account of neurochemistry at the undergraduate/ postgraduate level. The main chapters are biochemical studies of the brain; metabolism of the brain in situ; chemical composition of the brain; metabolic, ionic and electrical phenomena in separated cerebral tissues; cell free cerebral systems, glycolysis and the pentose pathway; pyruvate metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation; regulatory processes in carbohydrate metabolism in the brain; amino acids and peptides; metabolism of nucleic acids and proteins; nutritional factors; cerebral lipids; membrane structure and cytochemistry; chemical and enzymatic changes in development and ageing; neural transmission-acetylcholine, amines, amino acids and peptides; cyclic nucleotides, mediation and modulation of neurotransmission; drugs acting on the CNS; pituitary and hypothalamus: neurochemical interpretation of the brain. The book has two advantages: (1) many courses have been given on neurochemistry and the authors have been involved and/or been consulted about these courses; (2) the two authors have helped develop the subject and have a wide range of knowledge and experience of neurochemistry that they impart and integrate throughout the 20 chapters. It is the first text source that students should consult on neurochemistry.
Calcium in Biological Systems---Edited by R. P. RUBtN, G. B. WEISSand J. W. PUTNEY. 737 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $89.50.
Handbook of Neurochemistry, 2nd edn--Edited by ABEL LAJTHA. Vol. 8: Neurochemical Systems. 671 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $89.50.
The 80 chapters of this multi-author book review the major roles that calcium plays in cells and tissues. The topics discussed include: general aspects of calcium and cell function; roles of phosphoinositides in calcium regulated systems; stimulus-secretion coupling; calcium regulation of hemopoetic cells; calcium as a regulator of membrane permeability; calcium as a regulator of neuronal function; calmodulin; calcium and skeletal muscle contractility; calcium and cardiac muscle contractility; calcium and calcium antagonists in smooth muscle; calcium entry blockers and disease; vitamin D and other calcemic agents; alterations in calcium metabolism and homeostasis; normal biological calcification; pathological calcification; crystal deposition. There are five or more articles under each of these headings. These well written articles provide an excellent detailed analysis of the multifarious roles of calcium and also provide an overall view of the calcium research frontiers. Strongly recommended.
Chemically Induced Birth Defects---JAMES L. SCHARDEIN. 879 pp. 1985. Marcel Dekker, N e w York. $150.
This volume illustrates the tremendous advances in knowledge that have taken place in neurochemistry since the first edition of the Handbook t~/'Neurochemistrv in 1969. The
About 7% of all live births show major defects. In addition a large number of defective embryos are miscarried 573
0020-71 IX/86 $3.00 4-.0.00 1986 Pergamon Press Ltd
BOOK REVIEWS Molecular Basis of Insulin Action---Edited by M. P. CZECH. 473 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $59.50. Insulin was the first protein to be analysed and considerable progress has been made in elucidation of its mode of action and the nature of the insulin receptor. The insulin receptor is a heterotetrameric disulphide linked structure. The units seem to be a 90 K S-S linked to a 125 K, and this is linked by S-S to another such unit, i.e. 90-S-S- 125-S-S-125-S-S-90. The receptor associated tyrosine kinase activity is activated by tyrosine phosphorylation of its beta subunit, which may be an important regulatory mechanism in intact cells. After insulin binds to the receptor the whole complex is taken into the cell (internalized by endocytosis). Insulin increases the uptake of glucose into adipocytes by a factor of ten probably by increasing the recruitment of insulin receptors into the membrane. Insulin acts by stimulating exocytosis rather than inhibiting endocytosis. Insulin also stimulates a (Na÷-K ÷) ATPase, causes hyperpolarization of skeletal muscle, dissociates calmodulin from its association with (Ca 2÷, Mg 2+) ATPase/calcium transport complex, affects muscle glycogen synthase, and regulates acetyl CoA carboxylase. These and other functions of insulin are fully discussed in this interesting multi-authored volume.
chapter headings are; thyroid hormones; mechanisms of gonadal steroid actions on behavior; adrenocortical hormone action; neurotensin; CCK; Beta-lipotropin; prolactin; TRH; calmodulin; gastrointestinal peptides; peptidergic systems; neurosecretion; control of monoamine synthesis by precurser availability; cerebral subsystems and isolated tissues; memory; neurochemical correlates of learning impairment; behavioural and neurochemical effects of ACTH; pain transmission: neurochemistry of sleep; intraocular fluids and microenvironment of the retina; retina; vision; cell cultures.
Handbook of Neurochemistry, 2nd edn--Edited by ABEL LAJTHA. Vol. 9: Alterations of Metabolites in the Nervous System. 595 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $85.
Biochemistry and the Central Nervous System, 5th edn-HENRY MCILWAIN and HERMAN S. BACHELARD. 660 pp. 1985. Churchill Livingstone, London. $69.
The topics described in this volume are as follows: molecular aspects of nerve regeneration; biochemical mechanisms underlying primary degeneration of axons: pathology of axonal transport; adaptive properties of monoaminergic neurons; lithium; malnutrition and brain development; ageing; experimental aminoacidemias; alcohol; nicotine; opioids; neurone specific cytotoxins; neuroleptics; anticonvulsants; anaesthetics; hallucinogens; wallerian degeneration; experimental allergic neuritis and peripheral neuropathies; experimental allergic encephalitis; brain ischaemia. The articles are of a high standard and written in such a way that the less specialized reader can easily follow the evidence and the arguments and see the way that modern developments fit into the historic background. Though it is not indicated in the over all plan of the volumes, it would be of great assistance if there was a general index to all ten volumes to enable the reader to locate what is where in each volume.
The new edition of this well known textbook is nearly 50% larger than the 4th edition and provides an excellent account of neurochemistry at the undergraduate/ postgraduate level. The main chapters are biochemical studies of the brain; metabolism of the brain in situ; chemical composition of the brain; metabolic, ionic and electrical phenomena in separated cerebral tissues; cell free cerebral systems, glycolysis and the pentose pathway; pyruvate metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation; regulatory processes in carbohydrate metabolism in the brain; amino acids and peptides; metabolism of nucleic acids and proteins; nutritional factors; cerebral lipids; membrane structure and cytochemistry; chemical and enzymatic changes in development and ageing; neural transmission-acetylcholine, amines, amino acids and peptides; cyclic nucleotides, mediation and modulation of neurotransmission; drugs acting on the CNS; pituitary and hypothalamus: neurochemical interpretation of the brain. The book has two advantages: (1) many courses have been given on neurochemistry and the authors have been involved and/or been consulted about these courses; (2) the two authors have helped develop the subject and have a wide range of knowledge and experience of neurochemistry that they impart and integrate throughout the 20 chapters. It is the first text source that students should consult on neurochemistry.
Calcium in Biological Systems---Edited by R. P. RUBtN, G. B. WEISSand J. W. PUTNEY. 737 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $89.50.
Handbook of Neurochemistry, 2nd edn--Edited by ABEL LAJTHA. Vol. 8: Neurochemical Systems. 671 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $89.50.
The 80 chapters of this multi-author book review the major roles that calcium plays in cells and tissues. The topics discussed include: general aspects of calcium and cell function; roles of phosphoinositides in calcium regulated systems; stimulus-secretion coupling; calcium regulation of hemopoetic cells; calcium as a regulator of membrane permeability; calcium as a regulator of neuronal function; calmodulin; calcium and skeletal muscle contractility; calcium and cardiac muscle contractility; calcium and calcium antagonists in smooth muscle; calcium entry blockers and disease; vitamin D and other calcemic agents; alterations in calcium metabolism and homeostasis; normal biological calcification; pathological calcification; crystal deposition. There are five or more articles under each of these headings. These well written articles provide an excellent detailed analysis of the multifarious roles of calcium and also provide an overall view of the calcium research frontiers. Strongly recommended.
Chemically Induced Birth Defects---JAMES L. SCHARDEIN. 879 pp. 1985. Marcel Dekker, N e w York. $150.
This volume illustrates the tremendous advances in knowledge that have taken place in neurochemistry since the first edition of the Handbook t~/'Neurochemistrv in 1969. The
About 7% of all live births show major defects. In addition a large number of defective embryos are miscarried 573