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Introduction to Biological Membranes, 2nd edition
Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods, 18 (1989) 85-88 Elsevier
85
BBM 00741 B o o k Reviews
Neuropeptides and their Peptidases Turner, A.J. (ed.) VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, F.R.G.
Drawing on recent work in the neuropeptide field, this book provides a comprehensive survey of the molecular biology, biosynthesis, processing and metabolism of selected neuropeptide systems. It is divided into three sections, going from molecular biology through to the design of therapeutic agents. The first section investigates the gene structures of a number of neuropeptide gene families and considers the oxytocin and vasopressin genes in some detail. It also deals with critical steps in the neuropeptide processing. The second section reviews neurochemistry, pharmacology and physiology of selected neuropeptides, including tackykinins, gastric peptides and atrial natriuretic peptide; studies on neuropeptides and their peptidases in neurological diseases are also included. The final section covers the current knowledge about enzymes implicated in neuropeptide degradation, including data on endopeptidase - 24.11, angiotensin converting enzyme, and the calpains. Finally there is a review of the design and therapeutic applications of selective and potent inhibitors of zinc proteases. All contributors to this volume are internationally recognized and represent well established research groups in the area of neuropeptides. Together they offer an important overview which should attract the advanced student as well as the established workers in the field. Fred Nyberg
Introduction to Biological Membranes, 2nd Edition Mahendra Jain John Wiley & Sons, New York, U.S.A., 1988 (ISBN 0-471-84471-3) 423 pp.
The new edition of this monograph provides a broad overview of current knowledge of biological membranes. The author presents the recent advances made in the study of biological membranes during the last decade. The topics are collected into 15 chapters. In the introduction there is a short review of the terminology used for cell functions related to membranes. The next chapter gives a summary of the prepara0165-022X/89/$03.50 © 1989 ElsevierSciencePublishers B.V. (BiomedicalDivision)
86 tion, characterization and molecular composition of membranes. The hydrophobic effect on amphipathic molecules causes the self-association of phospholipids (Chapter 3) which is the principal method for investigating the properties of artificial structures (monolayers, micelles, bilayers) similar to real membranes. Three chapters deal with the properties of bitayers, giving a mathematical picture of the order and dynamics in biiayers, and describe the behaviour of solutes in bilayers. Chapters on lipid-protein interactions (~ncluding parts on conformation of membrane proteins) and on the structure and function of glycoproteins and gtycolipids show how the proteins and glycoconjugates increase the level of the specific biochemical functions associated with membranes. Four chapters give a large overview of the carrier and transport processes with and without gating mechanisms (such as chemical reactions and transmembrane potential) at cellular and macromolecular levels. The characterization of ionophores, transporters for glucose and ATP. cotransport, acetylcholine receptor, action potential, voltage gated channels and other topics are well treated in this part. The chapter on membrane-linked energy transducing systems in cells includes a small section on chemotactic response and flagellar motion of bacteria, although a separate chapter on cell motility in general can easily be justified. The last two chapters discuss the regulatory mechanisms in information transduction across membranes and the bulk transport by fusion and secretion (e.g., receptor mediated endocytosis). As the author says in the Preface: " n o attempt has been made to provide an extensive bibliography, although references as a general guide for the background material are also given". The book is well organized and reasonably free of topographic errors. On the other hand a little more attention should have been given to the figures. I highly recommend the book for researchers who are starting to work with biological membranes but have some biochemical background and who are also familiar with the terminology in organic chemistry. The monograph is also recommended to those who require a broad overview of the field of biomembranes. Ferenc Kil~r
Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Principles, Methodology, and Applications Edited by Felix W. Wehrli, Derek Shaw and I. Bruce Kneeland VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, F.R.G. This is a book designed to be a standard source about the use of magnetic resonance in medicine. It covers theoretical aspects by Dr. Shaw, Drs. Kanal and Wehrli, and Drs. Fullerton and Cameron. Technical and safety topics are spread over three chapters by Dr. Wesby, Drs. Hyde and Kneeland, and Dr. Schaefer. Four clinical topics covered are brain (Dr. Drayer), cardiovascular and pulmonary (Dr. Wesbey), abdomen and pelvis (Drs. Stark and Hahn), and musculoskeletal (Dr. Berquisti). Finally, three chapters cover the specialized topics of multinuctear magnetic reso-
85
BBM 00741 B o o k Reviews
Neuropeptides and their Peptidases Turner, A.J. (ed.) VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, F.R.G.
Drawing on recent work in the neuropeptide field, this book provides a comprehensive survey of the molecular biology, biosynthesis, processing and metabolism of selected neuropeptide systems. It is divided into three sections, going from molecular biology through to the design of therapeutic agents. The first section investigates the gene structures of a number of neuropeptide gene families and considers the oxytocin and vasopressin genes in some detail. It also deals with critical steps in the neuropeptide processing. The second section reviews neurochemistry, pharmacology and physiology of selected neuropeptides, including tackykinins, gastric peptides and atrial natriuretic peptide; studies on neuropeptides and their peptidases in neurological diseases are also included. The final section covers the current knowledge about enzymes implicated in neuropeptide degradation, including data on endopeptidase - 24.11, angiotensin converting enzyme, and the calpains. Finally there is a review of the design and therapeutic applications of selective and potent inhibitors of zinc proteases. All contributors to this volume are internationally recognized and represent well established research groups in the area of neuropeptides. Together they offer an important overview which should attract the advanced student as well as the established workers in the field. Fred Nyberg
Introduction to Biological Membranes, 2nd Edition Mahendra Jain John Wiley & Sons, New York, U.S.A., 1988 (ISBN 0-471-84471-3) 423 pp.
The new edition of this monograph provides a broad overview of current knowledge of biological membranes. The author presents the recent advances made in the study of biological membranes during the last decade. The topics are collected into 15 chapters. In the introduction there is a short review of the terminology used for cell functions related to membranes. The next chapter gives a summary of the prepara0165-022X/89/$03.50 © 1989 ElsevierSciencePublishers B.V. (BiomedicalDivision)
86 tion, characterization and molecular composition of membranes. The hydrophobic effect on amphipathic molecules causes the self-association of phospholipids (Chapter 3) which is the principal method for investigating the properties of artificial structures (monolayers, micelles, bilayers) similar to real membranes. Three chapters deal with the properties of bitayers, giving a mathematical picture of the order and dynamics in biiayers, and describe the behaviour of solutes in bilayers. Chapters on lipid-protein interactions (~ncluding parts on conformation of membrane proteins) and on the structure and function of glycoproteins and gtycolipids show how the proteins and glycoconjugates increase the level of the specific biochemical functions associated with membranes. Four chapters give a large overview of the carrier and transport processes with and without gating mechanisms (such as chemical reactions and transmembrane potential) at cellular and macromolecular levels. The characterization of ionophores, transporters for glucose and ATP. cotransport, acetylcholine receptor, action potential, voltage gated channels and other topics are well treated in this part. The chapter on membrane-linked energy transducing systems in cells includes a small section on chemotactic response and flagellar motion of bacteria, although a separate chapter on cell motility in general can easily be justified. The last two chapters discuss the regulatory mechanisms in information transduction across membranes and the bulk transport by fusion and secretion (e.g., receptor mediated endocytosis). As the author says in the Preface: " n o attempt has been made to provide an extensive bibliography, although references as a general guide for the background material are also given". The book is well organized and reasonably free of topographic errors. On the other hand a little more attention should have been given to the figures. I highly recommend the book for researchers who are starting to work with biological membranes but have some biochemical background and who are also familiar with the terminology in organic chemistry. The monograph is also recommended to those who require a broad overview of the field of biomembranes. Ferenc Kil~r
Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Principles, Methodology, and Applications Edited by Felix W. Wehrli, Derek Shaw and I. Bruce Kneeland VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, F.R.G. This is a book designed to be a standard source about the use of magnetic resonance in medicine. It covers theoretical aspects by Dr. Shaw, Drs. Kanal and Wehrli, and Drs. Fullerton and Cameron. Technical and safety topics are spread over three chapters by Dr. Wesby, Drs. Hyde and Kneeland, and Dr. Schaefer. Four clinical topics covered are brain (Dr. Drayer), cardiovascular and pulmonary (Dr. Wesbey), abdomen and pelvis (Drs. Stark and Hahn), and musculoskeletal (Dr. Berquisti). Finally, three chapters cover the specialized topics of multinuctear magnetic reso-