- Email: [email protected]
Channels, Carrier and Pumps. An Introduction to Membrane Transport
Tips-
42 Cuilian, D.. Woodward. 1.. Young, D. G., Krebs. J. F. and Lachman. L. B. (1988) J. Ncnmsri. 8, 2485-2489 43 Blume. A. I. and Vitak. M. P. (1989) Nrl&ial. A_qiq lb, 406-406
Pumped-up c5arges Channels, Carriers and Pumps. An Introduction to blembrane Transport by Wi/fredD. Sflb, ArndrrrricPress.
1990.$59.95(xiv t 326 yngesl lSBiV 0 12 66SO451 The ability to move molecules selectively across the lipid membranes that surround all cells is central to almost all aspects of cell biology. Increasingly (and often unintentionally or unexpectedly), cell and molecular biologists are having to consider transport phenomena. Cystic fibrosis and multidrug resistance in cancer are just two of the many serious clinical problems associated with alterations in cellular transport properties. A book that provides a solid foundation for those entering the field at the research level, as well as for more advanced students, is timely. This book fulfils such a role admirably. Even though it addresses a rapidly moving field, this book is not simply a progress report but is complete in itself. It provides, in a clear and comprehensive fashion, the background and framework essential for putting into perspective a rapidly expanding body of information on the molecular basis of channels, carriers and pumps. As the author notes in his preface ‘. . . we do not have, even in one instance, a clear understanding of how these molecules (carrlen, channels, pumps) function.’ Nevertheless, in the past few years the application of molecular biological techniques has begun to fill in the ‘black boxes’ whose outlines have been inferred from extensive studies on the kinetics and regulation of transport processes.The intriguing in-
sights that are emerging
from
such studies, and the development of many of the tools needed to probe the molecular mechanisms of transport, provide hints on where the field is going and the exciting possibilities that are opening up. One of the most attractive and important aspects of the book is that it places kinetic and regulatory studies, which often seem boring, irrelevant or incomprehensible, into context, making them readily accessible and emphasizing their importance. It is unusual, at least in my experience, to find a book or article addressing ‘pre-molecular biology’ aspects of research that is both enjoyable to read and so admirably places such research in the context of current molecular thinking. As with all books addressing suojects that are developing rapidly, some aspects are out of date almost before they are written. For example, our under-
Gee whizz Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 195: Adenylyl Cyclase, G Proteins and Guanylyl Cyclase edited by Roger A. johnson and jackie D. Corbb, Academic Press, 1991.$69.00(XXX + 512 pages) ISBN 0 12 182 096 3 Volume 195 of Mefhods in Eltzymology is undoubtedly very good and eminently ‘buyable’. This is despite the rather uneasy juxtaposition of contents. Certainly, nearly a decade ago, wherl C proteins were thought only to regulate adenylyl cyclasc, one could understand why two such topics should be dealt with in a single volume. However, now-
November
1992IVoJ.121
44
Allsop, D., Haga, S., Bruton, C. J., Ishini, T. and Roberts, G. W. (1990) Affl. /. Pfltbol.136, 2!%-260 45 Hallenbeck, J. M. ct nl. (1988) St& 19. 863-869
standing of the molecular aspects of the shaker K+ channel has advanced enormously in the past year or so. More seriously, the subsection on channels and cystic fibrosis is actually incorrect although the description accurately reflects the prevailing view at the time the book was written, subsequent characterization of the cystic fibrosis gene and its product have led to a complete reassessment of the earlier data. A personal prejudice: I would like to have seen more consideration given to studies on bacterial transporters, from which many of the general concepts in the transport field originated. Of course, the sort of deficiencies mentioned above can never be complete!y avoided. They certainly do not detract fmm the usefulness of this hook and, in general, coverage of the field at the level atternwas comlttc. anyon; Interested in, or needing to gain an understanding of, the basis of membrane transport. C. F. HIGGINS
ICRf lnbomtorics. Institute of Molecular Mcdiritrr, J&n Radrfiffr Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU. UK.
adays there seems little logic in placing two large topics together, especially as each one is quite capable of generating a major text in its own right. As presented here, then, considerable compromises in coverage have been made. Certainly one could have imagined a full volume on C proteins that not only discussed their purification, immunological analysis, labelling and toxin modification, as in this book, but also included chapters on strategies used for the molecular cloning of G proteins and the specific mutagenesis of domains, methods for using GTP and GDP anakoguesto
gauge whether processes are G protein-controlled and the reconstitution of G proteins with
42 Cuilian, D.. Woodward. 1.. Young, D. G., Krebs. J. F. and Lachman. L. B. (1988) J. Ncnmsri. 8, 2485-2489 43 Blume. A. I. and Vitak. M. P. (1989) Nrl&ial. A_qiq lb, 406-406
Pumped-up c5arges Channels, Carriers and Pumps. An Introduction to blembrane Transport by Wi/fredD. Sflb, ArndrrrricPress.
1990.$59.95(xiv t 326 yngesl lSBiV 0 12 66SO451 The ability to move molecules selectively across the lipid membranes that surround all cells is central to almost all aspects of cell biology. Increasingly (and often unintentionally or unexpectedly), cell and molecular biologists are having to consider transport phenomena. Cystic fibrosis and multidrug resistance in cancer are just two of the many serious clinical problems associated with alterations in cellular transport properties. A book that provides a solid foundation for those entering the field at the research level, as well as for more advanced students, is timely. This book fulfils such a role admirably. Even though it addresses a rapidly moving field, this book is not simply a progress report but is complete in itself. It provides, in a clear and comprehensive fashion, the background and framework essential for putting into perspective a rapidly expanding body of information on the molecular basis of channels, carriers and pumps. As the author notes in his preface ‘. . . we do not have, even in one instance, a clear understanding of how these molecules (carrlen, channels, pumps) function.’ Nevertheless, in the past few years the application of molecular biological techniques has begun to fill in the ‘black boxes’ whose outlines have been inferred from extensive studies on the kinetics and regulation of transport processes.The intriguing in-
sights that are emerging
from
such studies, and the development of many of the tools needed to probe the molecular mechanisms of transport, provide hints on where the field is going and the exciting possibilities that are opening up. One of the most attractive and important aspects of the book is that it places kinetic and regulatory studies, which often seem boring, irrelevant or incomprehensible, into context, making them readily accessible and emphasizing their importance. It is unusual, at least in my experience, to find a book or article addressing ‘pre-molecular biology’ aspects of research that is both enjoyable to read and so admirably places such research in the context of current molecular thinking. As with all books addressing suojects that are developing rapidly, some aspects are out of date almost before they are written. For example, our under-
Gee whizz Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 195: Adenylyl Cyclase, G Proteins and Guanylyl Cyclase edited by Roger A. johnson and jackie D. Corbb, Academic Press, 1991.$69.00(XXX + 512 pages) ISBN 0 12 182 096 3 Volume 195 of Mefhods in Eltzymology is undoubtedly very good and eminently ‘buyable’. This is despite the rather uneasy juxtaposition of contents. Certainly, nearly a decade ago, wherl C proteins were thought only to regulate adenylyl cyclasc, one could understand why two such topics should be dealt with in a single volume. However, now-
November
1992IVoJ.121
44
Allsop, D., Haga, S., Bruton, C. J., Ishini, T. and Roberts, G. W. (1990) Affl. /. Pfltbol.136, 2!%-260 45 Hallenbeck, J. M. ct nl. (1988) St& 19. 863-869
standing of the molecular aspects of the shaker K+ channel has advanced enormously in the past year or so. More seriously, the subsection on channels and cystic fibrosis is actually incorrect although the description accurately reflects the prevailing view at the time the book was written, subsequent characterization of the cystic fibrosis gene and its product have led to a complete reassessment of the earlier data. A personal prejudice: I would like to have seen more consideration given to studies on bacterial transporters, from which many of the general concepts in the transport field originated. Of course, the sort of deficiencies mentioned above can never be complete!y avoided. They certainly do not detract fmm the usefulness of this hook and, in general, coverage of the field at the level atternwas comlttc. anyon; Interested in, or needing to gain an understanding of, the basis of membrane transport. C. F. HIGGINS
ICRf lnbomtorics. Institute of Molecular Mcdiritrr, J&n Radrfiffr Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU. UK.
adays there seems little logic in placing two large topics together, especially as each one is quite capable of generating a major text in its own right. As presented here, then, considerable compromises in coverage have been made. Certainly one could have imagined a full volume on C proteins that not only discussed their purification, immunological analysis, labelling and toxin modification, as in this book, but also included chapters on strategies used for the molecular cloning of G proteins and the specific mutagenesis of domains, methods for using GTP and GDP anakoguesto
gauge whether processes are G protein-controlled and the reconstitution of G proteins with