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Blueprint for a Cell — The Nature and Origin of Life
159 pathophysiology to varying extents. Some provide information on pharmacological aspects of the topic. Interest and variety is added by the single topic essays interspersed between the main chapters. Overall, the writing, format and scope of the chapters and short essays is surprisingly uniform and clear. The format of the book is attractive and colorful, though the binding of my copy will not stand up to heavy use. Numerous illustrations (including many of amino acid sequences of appropriate proteins and peptides) enhance the text. They are well designed, clear, and in close proximity to where they are first cited in the text. Legends to figures 1.75 and 1.77 have become exchanged, Figures XIV.5 and XI5.6 are identical except for coloring, while the illustration that corresponds to Figure XIV.5 is missing. There are few spelling errors. References to cited material are given as footnotes, while some general references are usually included at chapter end where chapter summaries are also to be found. A Table, spread over two pages, showing the chromosomal localisation of genes of hormones, growth factors, receptors and of other genes related to the endocrine system completes the textual material, and reveals that only human chromosomes 13 and 21 appear to be devoid of such genes. The index is extensive and therefore useful. Various types of reader should find this book useful. Senior medical students will find a great deal of relevant material here, as will students majoring in biochemistry and physiology. Graduate students and scientists working in these disciplines, those in immunology, neuroscience, molecular and cell biology, and clinicians and endocrinology trainees will find the general approach and the emphasis on current molecular cell biology, a meaningful reflection on the basic paradigm of modern medical science. F Vella
Blueprint for a Cell - - The Nature and Origin of Life by C d e D u v e , p p 275. Neil Patterson Publishers, Burlington, N o r t h Carolina. 1991. $19.95 I S B N 0 - 8 8 2 7 8 - 4 1 0 - 5 This is a wise and lucid book which offers reflections on the origin and early evolution of life, the treatment originating in a clear presentation of contemporary cell biology. The first three chapters constitute a remarkably concise introduction to the cell, beginning with such topics as catalysis, self-assembly, and bioenergetics, followed by a description of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell design. The remainder of the book considers early life from the broadest possible standpoint, considering a wide variety of current approaches to possible prebiotic syntheses, catalysis before enzymes, information transfer before DNA, energy transduction before ATP, etc. Much of the discussion is centered on the author's view that thioesters may have played a central role in early life, serving as bioenergetic molecules, participating in peptide synthesis, and effecting metabolic catalysis. The view is attractive because it appears to explain the origin of the frequent role of such compounds in modern group transfer reactions, including synthesis of small peptides. Many books on the origin of life appear to suffer from being merely a vehicle for the author's own favorite speculation, whereas in this instance, the author's unique standpoint is a notable virtue. This is the case because of his inclusion of a wide collection of other views, which are treated with fairness, and because there is no question of a 'hidden agenda'. The agenda is clear from the outset, and the reader is invited to view it with a critical eye. Finally, the bibliography is long (29 pages), is helpfully annotated, and is organized according to type of publication and subject matter, which greatly enhances its utility. In summary, this book is undoubtedly controversial to some people in the field of early life, but it is immensely constructive and should enjoy a wide, enthusiastic readership.
HPLC in Clinical Chemistry
J L Howland
I N P a p a d o y a n n i s . pp 488. Marcel D e k k e r , N Y . 1990. $115 ISBN 0-8247-8139-2 In biochemistry and clinical chemistry laboratories 10 years ago, one would have found very few HPLC instruments: today they are ubiquitous. Such is the pace of development of new techniques. This book collects together information on a wide range of applications of HPLC in the clinical chemistry area and will be especially useful from the application point of view. Whether it can hope to keep up with developments and new applications is another matter. The book is in two unequal sections. The first (96 pages) deals with instrumentation, with some theory, but more at the practical level. A 'general guide' is a two-page table/flow chart, suggesting how to proceed providing you know at least something about the molecules you wish to separate. Part two deals with applications and these include separation of amino acids, alkaloids, antibiotics, aflatoxins, barbiturates, carbohydrate, catecholamines, drugs including street drugs, enzyme activity, lipids and lipoproteins, proteins, prostaglandins, steroids, tocopherols and finally vitamins. Just to write the list illustrates the versatility of HPLC. On the whole sufficient experimental detail is given so that a reasonably experienced practitioner could carry out a separation with a reasonable chance of success and each chapter is referenced. This is not a book to be read from cover to cover but it is certainly a comprehensive reference book. Although it is fairly expensive it would be useful to those teaching clinical biochemistry courses, at least as a rich source of examples. J P Poynter BIOCHEMICAL
EDUCATION
19(3) 1991
Protein Engineering E d i t e d by P C E M o o d y and A J Wilkinson. pp 85. In F o c u s Series, I R L Press, Oxford. 1990. £6.50 ISBN 0-19-963194-8 This book is a useful introduction to the rapidly expanding field of protein engineering, particularly for students and research workers just starting to work in this area. Aspects of the study of protein structure, from the properties of amino acid side-chains, to elements of secondary structure, Xray crystallography and computer modelling of tertiary structure, are discussed in the first part of the book. A chapter on the preparation and analysis of mutant proteins follows, briefly discussing expression systems, recombinant D N A methods and site-directed mutagenesis (readers are directed to a sister volume in this series - - Genetic Engineering by J G Williams and R K Patient - - for more detailed information), before going on to consider the detailed study of protein-ligand (enzyme-substrate) interactions from an energetics viewpoint. The use of site-directed mutagenesis as a probe of protein function, detailing kinetic studies on a number of systems (eg serine proteases) is then discussed, demonstrating the importance of comparative studies of wild-type and mutant proteins. The final chapter surveys a few examples of the use of protein engineering, such as the production of an improved human insulin and the tailoring of antibodies to target cancer cells. The book displays a certain bias towards the study of enzymes whose 3-D structures are known. There is no discussion of the
Blueprint for a Cell - - The Nature and Origin of Life by C d e D u v e , p p 275. Neil Patterson Publishers, Burlington, N o r t h Carolina. 1991. $19.95 I S B N 0 - 8 8 2 7 8 - 4 1 0 - 5 This is a wise and lucid book which offers reflections on the origin and early evolution of life, the treatment originating in a clear presentation of contemporary cell biology. The first three chapters constitute a remarkably concise introduction to the cell, beginning with such topics as catalysis, self-assembly, and bioenergetics, followed by a description of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell design. The remainder of the book considers early life from the broadest possible standpoint, considering a wide variety of current approaches to possible prebiotic syntheses, catalysis before enzymes, information transfer before DNA, energy transduction before ATP, etc. Much of the discussion is centered on the author's view that thioesters may have played a central role in early life, serving as bioenergetic molecules, participating in peptide synthesis, and effecting metabolic catalysis. The view is attractive because it appears to explain the origin of the frequent role of such compounds in modern group transfer reactions, including synthesis of small peptides. Many books on the origin of life appear to suffer from being merely a vehicle for the author's own favorite speculation, whereas in this instance, the author's unique standpoint is a notable virtue. This is the case because of his inclusion of a wide collection of other views, which are treated with fairness, and because there is no question of a 'hidden agenda'. The agenda is clear from the outset, and the reader is invited to view it with a critical eye. Finally, the bibliography is long (29 pages), is helpfully annotated, and is organized according to type of publication and subject matter, which greatly enhances its utility. In summary, this book is undoubtedly controversial to some people in the field of early life, but it is immensely constructive and should enjoy a wide, enthusiastic readership.
HPLC in Clinical Chemistry
J L Howland
I N P a p a d o y a n n i s . pp 488. Marcel D e k k e r , N Y . 1990. $115 ISBN 0-8247-8139-2 In biochemistry and clinical chemistry laboratories 10 years ago, one would have found very few HPLC instruments: today they are ubiquitous. Such is the pace of development of new techniques. This book collects together information on a wide range of applications of HPLC in the clinical chemistry area and will be especially useful from the application point of view. Whether it can hope to keep up with developments and new applications is another matter. The book is in two unequal sections. The first (96 pages) deals with instrumentation, with some theory, but more at the practical level. A 'general guide' is a two-page table/flow chart, suggesting how to proceed providing you know at least something about the molecules you wish to separate. Part two deals with applications and these include separation of amino acids, alkaloids, antibiotics, aflatoxins, barbiturates, carbohydrate, catecholamines, drugs including street drugs, enzyme activity, lipids and lipoproteins, proteins, prostaglandins, steroids, tocopherols and finally vitamins. Just to write the list illustrates the versatility of HPLC. On the whole sufficient experimental detail is given so that a reasonably experienced practitioner could carry out a separation with a reasonable chance of success and each chapter is referenced. This is not a book to be read from cover to cover but it is certainly a comprehensive reference book. Although it is fairly expensive it would be useful to those teaching clinical biochemistry courses, at least as a rich source of examples. J P Poynter BIOCHEMICAL
EDUCATION
19(3) 1991
Protein Engineering E d i t e d by P C E M o o d y and A J Wilkinson. pp 85. In F o c u s Series, I R L Press, Oxford. 1990. £6.50 ISBN 0-19-963194-8 This book is a useful introduction to the rapidly expanding field of protein engineering, particularly for students and research workers just starting to work in this area. Aspects of the study of protein structure, from the properties of amino acid side-chains, to elements of secondary structure, Xray crystallography and computer modelling of tertiary structure, are discussed in the first part of the book. A chapter on the preparation and analysis of mutant proteins follows, briefly discussing expression systems, recombinant D N A methods and site-directed mutagenesis (readers are directed to a sister volume in this series - - Genetic Engineering by J G Williams and R K Patient - - for more detailed information), before going on to consider the detailed study of protein-ligand (enzyme-substrate) interactions from an energetics viewpoint. The use of site-directed mutagenesis as a probe of protein function, detailing kinetic studies on a number of systems (eg serine proteases) is then discussed, demonstrating the importance of comparative studies of wild-type and mutant proteins. The final chapter surveys a few examples of the use of protein engineering, such as the production of an improved human insulin and the tailoring of antibodies to target cancer cells. The book displays a certain bias towards the study of enzymes whose 3-D structures are known. There is no discussion of the