Cell surface and extracellular glycoconjugates; structure and function

Cell surface and extracellular glycoconjugates; structure and function

Book Reviews In 1957 Vol. 12 of this series was a volume by Otto Schaumann on morphine and morphine derivatives. Since then there has been a tremendou...

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Book Reviews In 1957 Vol. 12 of this series was a volume by Otto Schaumann on morphine and morphine derivatives. Since then there has been a tremendous increase in number of research publications and also a great increase in our understanding of the pharmacology of the opioids, mainly due to the identification of the opioid (0) receptors (OR) and the detection of the endogenous ligands. Volume I deals with ORs; cloning of cDNA of OR; 0 binding proteins; 0 bioassay using organ systems; anatomical distribution of OR; OR regulation; multiple OR and presynaptic modulation of neurotransmitter release; ORCr protein interactions; OR coupled 2nd messenger systems; allosteric coupling of OR; chemistry of non-peptide 0; nonpeptide 0 antagonists; endogenous 0 alkaloids; 0 peptide gene expression; POMC gene expression; proenkephalin gene regulation; POMC biosynthesis; biosynthesis of enkephalins; anatomy and function of enkephalins; atypical 0 peptides; 0 peptide processing enzymes; peptidase inactivation of enkephalinsAesign of inhibitors; coexistance of 0 with other neurotransmitters; interrelation of 0, DA, ACh and GABA; ligands for OR; analogs of 0 peptides; ontogeny of 0 system; 0 in the CNS; action of 0 on membrane ion channels. Volume 11 deals with 0 and; brainstem modulation of pain; supraspinal OR in antinoception; spinal action of 0; peripheral mechanisms of 0 analgesia; acupunc-ture and stimulation produced analgesia; multiple OR and chronic pain; gastrointestinal effects of 0; role of endogenous 0 in central cardiovascular regulation; temperature regulation; control of food consumption and taste preference; respiration and vomiting; stress; CNS injury; epilepsy and neuroprotection; immunologic processes; spontaneous animal behavior; learning and memory; pharmacodynamic characteristics of 0 antagonists; neuroendocrine control of reproduction; neurohyophysial system; 0 expression in peripheral tissue; 0 tolerance; 0 tolerance/dependence in isolated organs; 0 abuse assessment in Rhesus monkeys; motivational effects of 0; CSF 0 in pathophysiology; circulating 0 in man; 0 analgesics in clinical pain management; 0 in operative anaesthesia; beta endorphin in human reproduction; 0 in psychiatric disorders; 0 addiction. These two volumes give an excellent account of the frontiers of present day research in opioids. Growth Factors; a Practical Approach-Edited by I. MCKAY and I. LEIGH. 251 pp. 1993. IRL/Oxford University Press. Hardback $48, Paperback $31. There are at least 20 different growth factor (GF) families with a total of as many as 130 individual factors. It is possible that there are a great many more to be discovered. This book gives practical details for: detection and characterization of new GF; detection of polpeptide GF, application of biassay and PCR technology; induction of DNA synthesis and cell division in quiescent cells in response to small peptide GF; gene isolation by differential plaque hydridization; embryological assays for GF; the rule of TGF in bone growth and bone repair; localization of GF mRNA by in situ hybridization; detection of epidermal inhibitory pentapeptide; expression of GF in microbial systems; immunoassay of GF; determination of GF receptor distribution by immunocytochemistry, autoradiography, ligand binding and fluorescence activated cell sorter. Vaccine Design--Edited by F. BROWN, G. DOUGAN, E. M. HOEY, S. J. MARTIN, B. K. TIMA and A. TRUDGETT. 130 pp. 1993. Wiley, Chichester, U.K. f19.50.

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This book is written for senior undergraduates and postgraduates. It deals with; the history of vaccination; sequence analysis-a starting point for vaccine design; requirements for induction of immunity; prediction of epitopes; peptides as vaccines; vaccines against virus diseases; bacterial vaccines; parasite vaccines; possibilities for future vaccines. A very useful and readable account of the subject.

Principles of Cellular and Molecular Immunology-J. M. AUSTYN and K. J. WOOD. 735 pp. 1993. Oxford University Press. Paperback f25. The literature on immunology increases at a frightening rate and it is very good to have this up to date book. It deals with: the immune system; immune responses; lymphoid tissue; the major histocompatability complex; antigen presenting cells; molecular basis of T cell responses; T cell repertoire; antigen receptors-structure and function; genes and immunoglobulin family; B cells and antibody responses; inflammatory mediators and soluble effector mechanisms; cellular cytotoxicity; idiotypc networks and suppressor pathways; cellular and molecular techniques in Immunology. The information is very clearly presented with good diagrams and tables. The reader will find this a very enjoyable, informative and interesting book.

Cell Surface and Extracellular Glycoconjugates; Structure and Function-Edited by D. R. ROBERTSand R. P. MECHAM. 314 pp. 1993. Academic Press, San Diego. Glycoconjugates (G) such as the selectins have an important role as mediators in lymphocyte recirculation, activation and inflammatory responses. Alterations of G can affect the malignant behaviour of tumor cells. Some hormones and growth factors react with the G on the cell surface receptor. The monosaccharide on the cell surface can be linked to a second sugar to form up to eight positional and anomeric isomers each having distinct chemical and biological properties. This book deals with: the function of N- and O-linked sugar chains of G; pericelluiar proteoglycans; glycosyl phosphatidylinositol linked membrane proteins; glysylation inhibitors; the use of mammalian cell mutants to study the functions of N- and O-linked glycolsylation; glycosphingolipid receptors in inflammation and cancer; G in human choriogonadotropin; G in adehsive cell function.

Bioinorganic Chemistry of Copper-Edited and Z. TYEKLAR. 506 pp. 1993. Chapman f65.

by K. D. KARLIN & Hall, London.

Copper plays a vital biochemical role as an essential metalloenzyme active-site cofactor involved in electron transfer, dioxygen transport, and the reduction of nitrogen oxides. This book deals with copper proteins; blue copper proteins and electron transfer; natural and synthetic regulation of gene expression; copper resistance; copper homeostasis; hemocyanin and copper monooxygenases; copper mediated redox/oxidative pathways; dioxygen binding and oxygenation reactions; copper-nitrogen oxide complexes; copper oxidase.

Protocols for Oligonucleotides and Analogos; Synthesis and PropertiesEdited by S. AGRAWAL. 502 pp. 1993. Humana Press, N. J. Paperback $59.50.