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Hormonal control of epithelial transport
BOOK REVIEWS
reaggregation experiments and on histochemical illustration of the H-Y antigen sites on the plasma membranes of primordial germ cells and Sertoli cells are also presented. The organogenetic role of the H-Y antigen in seminiferous tubule formation is believed to be related to the apparently bipolar distribution of H-Y antigen sites on the plasma membrane of Sertoli cells and that of some tibroblasts. Chapters 8 and 9 review the developmental strategy of competitive displacement in organogenesis and the role of A,-microglobulin-MHC antigen dimers as the plasma membrane anchorage sites for the organogenesis-directing antigens. It is suggested that since all other plasma membrane components involved in gonadal organogenesis are sex independent or bisexually expressed, the male-specific H-Y antigen hence becomes the major regulatory mechanism in sex determination. The question of whether the H-Y structural gene is X-linked or Y-linked is discussed in Chap. 10 together with the problem of other unlinked genes involved in the H-Y antigen expression. Although it is stated that both the Y-linkage of the H-Y gene in multiple copies and the X-linkage of the H-Y gene in single or multiple copies are equally attractive, the question remains open and awaits further experimental verification. The three chapters in Part III deal with the more certain area of extragonadal sex differentiation. Here the embryonic plan of body sex differentiation and the inductive mechanism of testicular androgen on the fetal development of male secondary sex are delineated in detail. In examining some major factors (including testosterone, 5aDHT, the anti-mullerian peptide hormone, and the androgen binding protein) that control body sex differentiation in normal and Tfm individuals, Ohno deliberates why the X-linked Tfm locus, which controls the synthesis of the cytosol androgen-receptor protein, is considered to be the master gene for the extragonadal sex-determining
423
mechanism in mammals, though the question of two Tfm gene loci on the mammalian X-chromosome remains to be elucidated. The book is replete with detail on H-Y antigen and with information on sex determination in mammals. Information concerning similar mechanisms in sub-mammalian vertebrates is thin, and this is understandable since such studies are not extensive. Apart from some typographical errors, the book is highly readable and well illustrated, and should form an invaluable and stimulating reference to scientists and doctors in the field of reproductive biology, genetics, sexual differentiation, and hermaphroditism. SAMUEL T. H. CHAN Department of Zoology University
of Hong
Kong.
Hong
Kong.
Hormonal Control of Epithelial Transport. INSERM Symposia Series, Vol. 85. International Symposium on Hormonal Control of Epithelial Transport, Paris, France, May 20-22, 1979. Edited by J. BOURGUET, J. CHEVALIER, M. PARIS, and P. RIPOCHE. Institut National de la Santt et de la Recherche Medicale, Paris, 1979. 404 pp., Figs., plates, $18.00.
This volume (No. 85 of 89 already published as INSERM Symposia) maintains the high scientific standard of presentation established by the organization. A surprising omission is a subject index which would have been most useful in a review volume such as this. There are two broad categories of individuals who will find this volume of especial use: the renal physiologist and the physiologist who is concerned with the fundamental biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of water and electrolyte flow at cellular and subcellular levels (the socalled “transport physiologist”). There is an astounding array of expertise among the contributors and the information contained within the various sections is an up-to-date (to May 1979) account of the state of the fields covered. The contents are arranged under seven major, very logical
424
BOOK REVIEWS
headings (culture techniques; modes of hormone action; mechanism of aldosterone action; morphological correlations of transport; ionic transport; water movement; a final section dealing with miscellaneous aspects mainly concerned with amphibian membranes and freeze-fracture techniques) . This reviewer read the volume in the sequence presented by the editors, and reading in this fashion, one gains an overall appreciation of the current concepts and approaches, the techniques that can be applied, and the many pitfalls that may be encountered by workers just entering the field of membrane transport. The text allows entry into any aspect of the literature in a most satisfactory manner. Thus J. S. Handler’s contribution (Hormone sensitive transport by epithelial cells in culture) begins with a brief historical introduction giving the necessary background and then embarks upon a detailed analysis of the many cell types and lines that may be used with regard to basic mechanisms of transport and the mode of action of hormones and diuretics from glucagon to aldosterone, from amiloride to ouabain. This chapter then forms the basis for two further considerations: aldosterone actions on cultured frog skin and a most elegant discussion of monolayers of thyroid cells with regard to the actions of hormones and drugs. In this latter chapter several electron micrographs are printed which are extremely clear, and this clarity applies to all micrographs in the volume. The editors and publishers are to be congratulated in this respect as so many similarly produced volumes currently being published fail to retain the quality and clarity of authors’ original photographs. The second section (Steps in Hormone Action) ranges over many areas (from insulin and fibroblasts to amphibian bladders and aldosterone to rat collecting duct and vasopressin), and in each, original findings are suitably melded within broad perspectives. The mechanisms of aldosterone ac-
tion, which, over the years, has varied from being an area of general agreement to one of great controversy, is considered in detail in the third part of this volume. It is very appropriately introduced by J. Crabbe, who draws together the most pertinent past and contemporary views. The anuran epithelia are very aptly considered alongside other target tissues including the rat nephron and the chicken intestine. Finally, a mathematical model is presented to account for many aspects of aldosterone action on toad bladder. This is the one chapter that perhaps requires considerably greater background knowledge than most physiologists possess. The section with the curious title “Morphofunctional correlations” is largely devoted to ADH effects upon Ca2+, microtubule, and the other range of intracellular correlates that accompany induction of water flow. Two sections respectively deal with ionic and water movements across diverse membranes, although anuran epithelia are to the fore. The final area of consideration is rather cryptically headed “Other aspects of epithelial transport” and in some senses this section is somewhat of a rag-bag of items, which could have been incorporated into other sections. Chapters are concerned with subjects ranging from freeze-fracture analysis of the anuran epidermis to acid-base regulation of toads in high-sodium environments to the role of TRH in osmoregulation of amphibians and possibly even in gastropods (sic). These last observations are very mild criticisms and overall the volume is an excellent collection of articles giving a clear and up-to-date account of the general concepts and likely developments in membrane transport of water and electrolytes. I.W.
HENDERSON
Department of University of Western Bank, United
Zoology Sheffield Sheffield Kingdom
reaggregation experiments and on histochemical illustration of the H-Y antigen sites on the plasma membranes of primordial germ cells and Sertoli cells are also presented. The organogenetic role of the H-Y antigen in seminiferous tubule formation is believed to be related to the apparently bipolar distribution of H-Y antigen sites on the plasma membrane of Sertoli cells and that of some tibroblasts. Chapters 8 and 9 review the developmental strategy of competitive displacement in organogenesis and the role of A,-microglobulin-MHC antigen dimers as the plasma membrane anchorage sites for the organogenesis-directing antigens. It is suggested that since all other plasma membrane components involved in gonadal organogenesis are sex independent or bisexually expressed, the male-specific H-Y antigen hence becomes the major regulatory mechanism in sex determination. The question of whether the H-Y structural gene is X-linked or Y-linked is discussed in Chap. 10 together with the problem of other unlinked genes involved in the H-Y antigen expression. Although it is stated that both the Y-linkage of the H-Y gene in multiple copies and the X-linkage of the H-Y gene in single or multiple copies are equally attractive, the question remains open and awaits further experimental verification. The three chapters in Part III deal with the more certain area of extragonadal sex differentiation. Here the embryonic plan of body sex differentiation and the inductive mechanism of testicular androgen on the fetal development of male secondary sex are delineated in detail. In examining some major factors (including testosterone, 5aDHT, the anti-mullerian peptide hormone, and the androgen binding protein) that control body sex differentiation in normal and Tfm individuals, Ohno deliberates why the X-linked Tfm locus, which controls the synthesis of the cytosol androgen-receptor protein, is considered to be the master gene for the extragonadal sex-determining
423
mechanism in mammals, though the question of two Tfm gene loci on the mammalian X-chromosome remains to be elucidated. The book is replete with detail on H-Y antigen and with information on sex determination in mammals. Information concerning similar mechanisms in sub-mammalian vertebrates is thin, and this is understandable since such studies are not extensive. Apart from some typographical errors, the book is highly readable and well illustrated, and should form an invaluable and stimulating reference to scientists and doctors in the field of reproductive biology, genetics, sexual differentiation, and hermaphroditism. SAMUEL T. H. CHAN Department of Zoology University
of Hong
Kong.
Hong
Kong.
Hormonal Control of Epithelial Transport. INSERM Symposia Series, Vol. 85. International Symposium on Hormonal Control of Epithelial Transport, Paris, France, May 20-22, 1979. Edited by J. BOURGUET, J. CHEVALIER, M. PARIS, and P. RIPOCHE. Institut National de la Santt et de la Recherche Medicale, Paris, 1979. 404 pp., Figs., plates, $18.00.
This volume (No. 85 of 89 already published as INSERM Symposia) maintains the high scientific standard of presentation established by the organization. A surprising omission is a subject index which would have been most useful in a review volume such as this. There are two broad categories of individuals who will find this volume of especial use: the renal physiologist and the physiologist who is concerned with the fundamental biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of water and electrolyte flow at cellular and subcellular levels (the socalled “transport physiologist”). There is an astounding array of expertise among the contributors and the information contained within the various sections is an up-to-date (to May 1979) account of the state of the fields covered. The contents are arranged under seven major, very logical
424
BOOK REVIEWS
headings (culture techniques; modes of hormone action; mechanism of aldosterone action; morphological correlations of transport; ionic transport; water movement; a final section dealing with miscellaneous aspects mainly concerned with amphibian membranes and freeze-fracture techniques) . This reviewer read the volume in the sequence presented by the editors, and reading in this fashion, one gains an overall appreciation of the current concepts and approaches, the techniques that can be applied, and the many pitfalls that may be encountered by workers just entering the field of membrane transport. The text allows entry into any aspect of the literature in a most satisfactory manner. Thus J. S. Handler’s contribution (Hormone sensitive transport by epithelial cells in culture) begins with a brief historical introduction giving the necessary background and then embarks upon a detailed analysis of the many cell types and lines that may be used with regard to basic mechanisms of transport and the mode of action of hormones and diuretics from glucagon to aldosterone, from amiloride to ouabain. This chapter then forms the basis for two further considerations: aldosterone actions on cultured frog skin and a most elegant discussion of monolayers of thyroid cells with regard to the actions of hormones and drugs. In this latter chapter several electron micrographs are printed which are extremely clear, and this clarity applies to all micrographs in the volume. The editors and publishers are to be congratulated in this respect as so many similarly produced volumes currently being published fail to retain the quality and clarity of authors’ original photographs. The second section (Steps in Hormone Action) ranges over many areas (from insulin and fibroblasts to amphibian bladders and aldosterone to rat collecting duct and vasopressin), and in each, original findings are suitably melded within broad perspectives. The mechanisms of aldosterone ac-
tion, which, over the years, has varied from being an area of general agreement to one of great controversy, is considered in detail in the third part of this volume. It is very appropriately introduced by J. Crabbe, who draws together the most pertinent past and contemporary views. The anuran epithelia are very aptly considered alongside other target tissues including the rat nephron and the chicken intestine. Finally, a mathematical model is presented to account for many aspects of aldosterone action on toad bladder. This is the one chapter that perhaps requires considerably greater background knowledge than most physiologists possess. The section with the curious title “Morphofunctional correlations” is largely devoted to ADH effects upon Ca2+, microtubule, and the other range of intracellular correlates that accompany induction of water flow. Two sections respectively deal with ionic and water movements across diverse membranes, although anuran epithelia are to the fore. The final area of consideration is rather cryptically headed “Other aspects of epithelial transport” and in some senses this section is somewhat of a rag-bag of items, which could have been incorporated into other sections. Chapters are concerned with subjects ranging from freeze-fracture analysis of the anuran epidermis to acid-base regulation of toads in high-sodium environments to the role of TRH in osmoregulation of amphibians and possibly even in gastropods (sic). These last observations are very mild criticisms and overall the volume is an excellent collection of articles giving a clear and up-to-date account of the general concepts and likely developments in membrane transport of water and electrolytes. I.W.
HENDERSON
Department of University of Western Bank, United
Zoology Sheffield Sheffield Kingdom