- Email: [email protected]
Hormone receptors
GENERAL
AND
COMPARATIVE
ENDOCRINOLOGY
41, 139-140
11980)
BOOK REVIEWS sulin and other hormones). There are two excellent reviews of a more general type, Joanne Richards’ summary of hormonal control of the ovary, Philip Felig et d’s. analysis of blood glucose regulation in man. S. Ohno’s article on H-Y antigen and mammalian sex differentiation, while not really endocrine in nature, is a very useful and timely review. We may wonder when workers in this field will stop referring to this peptide (now characterized as to molecular weight) as “antigen.” The book curiously contains a 73-page article by Gospodarowicz et al. on atherogenesis and cornea1 transplantation. While it is a well-prepared and authoritative article, it is difficult to define its role in a book on recent progress in hormone research. Did the editor fail to notice this?
Recbnt Progress in Hormone Research, Vol. 35. Edited by ROY E. GREEP. Academic Press, New York. $41.00. ix + 537 pp., ill., subject index. 1979.
Volume 35 of the series “Recent Progress in IHormone Research,” edited by Roy 0. Grbep, continues a well-established sequence of reviews covering areas of endocrine research that are currently active. Of the twelve papers that are included a signif)icant proportion are concerned either wiih the molecular aspects of the action of hormones or with properties of the hormonal molecule. B. W. O’Malley opens this volume with a review of the work of his laboratory on the “ovalbumin gene.” Most en(locrinologists who a few years ago were quite satisfied to see proof that hormones are part of a mechanism that regulates activities of the genome through a form of AUBREY GORBMAN tr&scriptional control will be impressed by Department of Zoology the progress in this field. Questions now University of Washington, Seattle deal with the relationship of the hormonerec.eptor complex to the nonhistone and Hormone Receptors (Advances in Experimental histone protein coat of DNA, and with Medicine and Biology, Vol. 96) Edited by D. M. KLACHKO, L. R. FORTE, AND J. M. FRANZ. post-transcriptional RNA processing, as Plenum, New York/London. $27.50. x + 214 pp., well1 as with translational control. Similar ill. subject index. 1978. questions of steroid hormonal control of gene expression and cell differentiation are This volume contains the Proceedings of taMen up by J. R. Tata in an article on reg- the 11th Midwest Conference on Endocriulation of vitellogenesis. nology and Metabolism, held at the UniverColumbia, in 1975. Many of us are aware that “circular di- sity of Missouri, chroism” of protein hormones has some- Thereby, the greatest shortcoming of the thing to do with their molecular shape. If book is revealed: its late publication. Even our earlier training in physical chemistry so, the volume provides extremely instrucwas inadequate, or too long ago, we had no tive and for the most part enjoyable reading basis to appreciate the significance of cir- for the serious student of hormone receptors. Detailed accounts are given of (at that cular dichroism in the protein hormones. T. A. Bewley’s article on the subject is time) recent studies on receptors for postew&ten in a pedagogic manner and will be of rior pituitary peptides, thyroid hormones, progesterone, catevalue in enlightening and instructing many glucocorticoids, cholamines, acetylcholine, and insulin, of IUS in this respect. Two articles deal extensively with endo- all by leading experts in the field. Especrine target cells in vitro, separated gonadal cially valuable is the first chapter written by cell types and adipocytes (as targets of in- Oscar Hechter, with its combination of pre139
0016~6480/80/050139-02$01.00/O Copyright All rights
0 1980 by Academic Press, Inc. of reproduction in any form reserved.
140
BOOK REVIEWS
cise experimental analysis and broad philosophical outlook. The reader will find the latter relevant not only to the science of receptors but to almost any area of biological research. One of his models of scientific discovery and progress is very reminiscent of the cycle described by Thomas Kuhn (“The Structure of Scientific Revolutions”) and demonstrates the fertilizing effect of paradoxical experimental findings when our thinking is dominated by “dogma” or “prejudice.” It is intriguing, and shows how rapidly the field develops, that one recent and very popular “paradox,” ligand or receptor internalization, is not even mentioned in the book. However, “paradoxes” related to steroid hormone action, such as possible interaction with plasma membrane, or the existence of extranuclear target sites, are discussed briefly. The last chapter on insulin binding to cultured fibroblasts calls attention to the potential significance of so-called nonspecific binding sites as well as to age-dependent changes in receptor affinity. The book is a highly professional account of the front line of research in the hormone receptor field as it was in 1975. The chapters are well illustrated with tables and line drawings. The discussions following each paper reflect (to the credit of session chairmen and editors) a friendly but critical atmosphere, reveal a wealth of additional information, and help the reader to put individual presentations in perspective. The volume should be a valuable addition to the library of every investigator active in receptor research. P. PETRUSZ University
of North
Department Carolina,
of Anatomy Chapel Hill
Structure and Function of the Gonadotropins. Edited by KENNETH W. MCKERNS. Plenum, New York/London. subject
and author
$49.50. xviii + 628 pp., ill., indexes.
1978.
Remarkable progress has been made in the past fifteen years in our understanding of reproductive processes and the role that the pituitary gonadotropins play in the regula-
tion of ovarian and testicular function. This volume brings together in twenty-five papers an up-to-date perspective on the relationship of gonadotropin structure to function and the mechanism of action of these hormones. In addition to luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, studies are included on the role of prolactin in reproductive tissues. The individual reports cover a diversity of areas including biochemical and immmunological studies of the gonadotropins and their subunits, studies on the cellular localization and the cellular entry of these hormones, the action of gonadotropins in gene regulation, and the mechanism of action of the gonadotropins. Both ovarian and testicular systems are discussed. By and large, the work discussed deals mainly with mammalian hormones and mammalian reproductive tissues. An exception is the inclusion of a paper by Y. A. Fontaine and E. BurzawaGerard on the biochemistry and biological properties of fish gonadotropin as well as some work discussed by J. Garnier on the physical chemistry of fish gonadotropin subunit interactions. Nonetheless, this volume has great value for the comparative reproductive endocrinologist in not only providing a mammalian frame of reference but in also suggesting lines of study which could be profitably pursued with diverse species. While it is evident that meaningful studies on the actions of gonadotropins are highly dependent on the availability of purified hormones, it is apparent from the work of Burzawa-Gerard and Fontaine as well as others that non-mammalian hormones will become increasingly available for studies equal in significance to the mammalian studies reported in this book. The book itself is set in easy to read type with good figures and an excellent index. The individual articles while often overly reflecting the bibliography of the authors are also well referenced. HAROLD PAPKOFF University
of California School San Francisco,
of Medicine California
AND
COMPARATIVE
ENDOCRINOLOGY
41, 139-140
11980)
BOOK REVIEWS sulin and other hormones). There are two excellent reviews of a more general type, Joanne Richards’ summary of hormonal control of the ovary, Philip Felig et d’s. analysis of blood glucose regulation in man. S. Ohno’s article on H-Y antigen and mammalian sex differentiation, while not really endocrine in nature, is a very useful and timely review. We may wonder when workers in this field will stop referring to this peptide (now characterized as to molecular weight) as “antigen.” The book curiously contains a 73-page article by Gospodarowicz et al. on atherogenesis and cornea1 transplantation. While it is a well-prepared and authoritative article, it is difficult to define its role in a book on recent progress in hormone research. Did the editor fail to notice this?
Recbnt Progress in Hormone Research, Vol. 35. Edited by ROY E. GREEP. Academic Press, New York. $41.00. ix + 537 pp., ill., subject index. 1979.
Volume 35 of the series “Recent Progress in IHormone Research,” edited by Roy 0. Grbep, continues a well-established sequence of reviews covering areas of endocrine research that are currently active. Of the twelve papers that are included a signif)icant proportion are concerned either wiih the molecular aspects of the action of hormones or with properties of the hormonal molecule. B. W. O’Malley opens this volume with a review of the work of his laboratory on the “ovalbumin gene.” Most en(locrinologists who a few years ago were quite satisfied to see proof that hormones are part of a mechanism that regulates activities of the genome through a form of AUBREY GORBMAN tr&scriptional control will be impressed by Department of Zoology the progress in this field. Questions now University of Washington, Seattle deal with the relationship of the hormonerec.eptor complex to the nonhistone and Hormone Receptors (Advances in Experimental histone protein coat of DNA, and with Medicine and Biology, Vol. 96) Edited by D. M. KLACHKO, L. R. FORTE, AND J. M. FRANZ. post-transcriptional RNA processing, as Plenum, New York/London. $27.50. x + 214 pp., well1 as with translational control. Similar ill. subject index. 1978. questions of steroid hormonal control of gene expression and cell differentiation are This volume contains the Proceedings of taMen up by J. R. Tata in an article on reg- the 11th Midwest Conference on Endocriulation of vitellogenesis. nology and Metabolism, held at the UniverColumbia, in 1975. Many of us are aware that “circular di- sity of Missouri, chroism” of protein hormones has some- Thereby, the greatest shortcoming of the thing to do with their molecular shape. If book is revealed: its late publication. Even our earlier training in physical chemistry so, the volume provides extremely instrucwas inadequate, or too long ago, we had no tive and for the most part enjoyable reading basis to appreciate the significance of cir- for the serious student of hormone receptors. Detailed accounts are given of (at that cular dichroism in the protein hormones. T. A. Bewley’s article on the subject is time) recent studies on receptors for postew&ten in a pedagogic manner and will be of rior pituitary peptides, thyroid hormones, progesterone, catevalue in enlightening and instructing many glucocorticoids, cholamines, acetylcholine, and insulin, of IUS in this respect. Two articles deal extensively with endo- all by leading experts in the field. Especrine target cells in vitro, separated gonadal cially valuable is the first chapter written by cell types and adipocytes (as targets of in- Oscar Hechter, with its combination of pre139
0016~6480/80/050139-02$01.00/O Copyright All rights
0 1980 by Academic Press, Inc. of reproduction in any form reserved.
140
BOOK REVIEWS
cise experimental analysis and broad philosophical outlook. The reader will find the latter relevant not only to the science of receptors but to almost any area of biological research. One of his models of scientific discovery and progress is very reminiscent of the cycle described by Thomas Kuhn (“The Structure of Scientific Revolutions”) and demonstrates the fertilizing effect of paradoxical experimental findings when our thinking is dominated by “dogma” or “prejudice.” It is intriguing, and shows how rapidly the field develops, that one recent and very popular “paradox,” ligand or receptor internalization, is not even mentioned in the book. However, “paradoxes” related to steroid hormone action, such as possible interaction with plasma membrane, or the existence of extranuclear target sites, are discussed briefly. The last chapter on insulin binding to cultured fibroblasts calls attention to the potential significance of so-called nonspecific binding sites as well as to age-dependent changes in receptor affinity. The book is a highly professional account of the front line of research in the hormone receptor field as it was in 1975. The chapters are well illustrated with tables and line drawings. The discussions following each paper reflect (to the credit of session chairmen and editors) a friendly but critical atmosphere, reveal a wealth of additional information, and help the reader to put individual presentations in perspective. The volume should be a valuable addition to the library of every investigator active in receptor research. P. PETRUSZ University
of North
Department Carolina,
of Anatomy Chapel Hill
Structure and Function of the Gonadotropins. Edited by KENNETH W. MCKERNS. Plenum, New York/London. subject
and author
$49.50. xviii + 628 pp., ill., indexes.
1978.
Remarkable progress has been made in the past fifteen years in our understanding of reproductive processes and the role that the pituitary gonadotropins play in the regula-
tion of ovarian and testicular function. This volume brings together in twenty-five papers an up-to-date perspective on the relationship of gonadotropin structure to function and the mechanism of action of these hormones. In addition to luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, studies are included on the role of prolactin in reproductive tissues. The individual reports cover a diversity of areas including biochemical and immmunological studies of the gonadotropins and their subunits, studies on the cellular localization and the cellular entry of these hormones, the action of gonadotropins in gene regulation, and the mechanism of action of the gonadotropins. Both ovarian and testicular systems are discussed. By and large, the work discussed deals mainly with mammalian hormones and mammalian reproductive tissues. An exception is the inclusion of a paper by Y. A. Fontaine and E. BurzawaGerard on the biochemistry and biological properties of fish gonadotropin as well as some work discussed by J. Garnier on the physical chemistry of fish gonadotropin subunit interactions. Nonetheless, this volume has great value for the comparative reproductive endocrinologist in not only providing a mammalian frame of reference but in also suggesting lines of study which could be profitably pursued with diverse species. While it is evident that meaningful studies on the actions of gonadotropins are highly dependent on the availability of purified hormones, it is apparent from the work of Burzawa-Gerard and Fontaine as well as others that non-mammalian hormones will become increasingly available for studies equal in significance to the mammalian studies reported in this book. The book itself is set in easy to read type with good figures and an excellent index. The individual articles while often overly reflecting the bibliography of the authors are also well referenced. HAROLD PAPKOFF University
of California School San Francisco,
of Medicine California