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Iron-sulphur protein research
Camp. Biochem. Printed in Great
Physiol. Britain
Vol. 9lA.
No. 2, pp. 403-404,
1988
0300-9629/88 $3.00 + 0.00 Pergamon Press plc
BOOK REVIEWS Harper’s Biochemistry-By R. K. MURRAY, D. K. GUNNER, P. A. MAYES and V. W. RODWELL. 21st edition. 700 pp. 1988. Prentice Hall, New York. f24.50 (paperback). This 21st edition has been reorganized to make the material more easily assimilated by the reader. There is a new introductory chapter on biochemistry and medicine, and another on biomolecules and biochemical methods. There are new chapters on: an overview of intermediary metabolism; recombinant DNA technology; and cancer, oncogenes and growth factor. There is an appendix summarizing biochemical laboratory procedures in clinical biochemistry. The book has been revised and brought up to date. There is a lot of information in this book, so that it can serve both as a text book and as a reference book. Possibly it would help the less dedicated time-pressed student if the important material (what he/she must know) was in large print and the reference material was in smaller print.
Gene Regulation by Steroid Hormones. III-Edited by A. K. ROY and J. H. CLARK. 302 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. DM 198. This contains the papers presented at the Third Meadow Brook Conference. Nucleotide sequences of hormonally regulated genes which show a specific binding of steroid receptors have been identified, as have the chromatin acceptor proteins which also show preferential binding for steroid receptor complexes. The steroid receptors are localized primarily in the nuclear compartment. These developments are discussed in terms of the estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, androgen receptors, glucocorticoid receptors, Vitamin D receptors, regulation of cytochrome P 450, and cDNA probes for CBG and ABP.
Biomembrenes and Receptor Mechanism-Edited by E. BERTOLI, D. CHAPMAN, A. CAMBR~A and U. SCAPAGNINI. 408 pp. 1987. Liviana Press; Springer, Berlin. The topics covered in this multi-authored book are: biomembrane dynamics as shown by spectroscopic studies; freeze-fracture; membrane protein and receptor structure and organization; mobility of phospholipids; lipid protein interaction; membrane fluidity and regulation of membrane linked enzymes; lipid regulation of receptor functions; fusionfission of membranes; metabolite transport; hormone receptors; molecular structure of nicotinic ACh-R and GABA-R. The volume provides a useful summary of membrane structure and function.
Natural Toxins: Animal, Plant and Microbial-Edited by J. B. HARRIS. 353 vv. 1986. Oxford Science Publications. Oxford. $72.50. -Study of the properties and mechanisms of actions of natural toxins have given considerable insight into physiological and biochemical mechanisms. It is interesting that tetrodotoxin, a blocker of sodium channels, has probably evolved independently in fish, amphibia and molluscs. The snake bungarotoxins have greatly helped in the elucidation of the nature of the acetylcholine receptor. This multiauthored volume reviews the snake venoms, poisoning by 403
tick bite, marine invertebrate toxins, plant and fungal toxins, bacterial toxins, and the use of monoclonal antibodies for the elucidation of antigenic structure of toxins. Further detailed study of the mechanisms of action of purified toxins will both increase our understanding of how the toxin acts as well as showing ways of counteracting their action.
Iron-Sulphur Protein ResearcLEdited by H. MATSUBARA, Y. KATSUBE and K. WADA. 329 pp. 1987. Japan Scientific Societies Press; Springer, Berlin. DM 128. The discovery of ferredoxin in 1962 sparked off intensive research into iron-sulphur proteins, a widely distributed group of compounds that function either with simple iron-sulphur clusters, [lFe], [2Fe_2S], [4Fe4S]. [3Fe_xS], involved in electron transfer (the redox potentials varied from - 700 to - 350 mV), or with conjugated forms of flavins, hemes and other metals. They are associated with nitrogenase, hydrogenase, mitochondrial NADHubiquinone reductase (Comvlex I). SDH. cvtochrome b6-f. and- photosynthesis. This ;olu& proiidks an excellen; review of the subject.
Phosphate Metabolism and Cellular Regulation in Microorganisms-Edited by A. TORRIANI-GORINI, F. G. ROTHMAN, S. SILVER, A. WRIGHT and E. YAGIL. 316 pp. 1987. American Society for Microbiology. $49. This multi-authored volume has papers grouped into sections: phosphate regulation in E. coli; phosphate regulation in diverse microorganisms; protein secretion and use of alkaline phosphatase; structure and function of alkaline phosphatase; transport of phosphate and phosphorylated compounds in E. co/i; mechanisms and energetics of phosphate transport in other organisms; phosphate reserves and energy storage-polyphosphates; phosphate reserves and energy storage-pyrophosphates; global regulatory systems in enteric bacteria (SOS, DNA repair, carbon circuits, nitrogen assimilation); and historical perspective.
Drugs and the Brair+by SOLOMONH. SNYDER.228 pp. 1986. Scientific American Library. New York. $32.95. This very well illustrated book provides a readable and scientific account of the history of drug usage; how neurotransmitters work on receptors; the role of opiates; drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia; antidepressants; tranquilizers and psychedelics. The material is developed from its historic background so giving the reader insight into the use and study of the drugs. Students and research workers will enjoy reading this book and gain much information from it.
Brain Systems, Disorders and Psychotropic Drugs-By HEATHER ASHTON. 547 pp. 1987. Oxford University Press, Oxford. $87. This book is based on lectures given to medical students on the principles of psychopharmacology. The main sections
Physiol. Britain
Vol. 9lA.
No. 2, pp. 403-404,
1988
0300-9629/88 $3.00 + 0.00 Pergamon Press plc
BOOK REVIEWS Harper’s Biochemistry-By R. K. MURRAY, D. K. GUNNER, P. A. MAYES and V. W. RODWELL. 21st edition. 700 pp. 1988. Prentice Hall, New York. f24.50 (paperback). This 21st edition has been reorganized to make the material more easily assimilated by the reader. There is a new introductory chapter on biochemistry and medicine, and another on biomolecules and biochemical methods. There are new chapters on: an overview of intermediary metabolism; recombinant DNA technology; and cancer, oncogenes and growth factor. There is an appendix summarizing biochemical laboratory procedures in clinical biochemistry. The book has been revised and brought up to date. There is a lot of information in this book, so that it can serve both as a text book and as a reference book. Possibly it would help the less dedicated time-pressed student if the important material (what he/she must know) was in large print and the reference material was in smaller print.
Gene Regulation by Steroid Hormones. III-Edited by A. K. ROY and J. H. CLARK. 302 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. DM 198. This contains the papers presented at the Third Meadow Brook Conference. Nucleotide sequences of hormonally regulated genes which show a specific binding of steroid receptors have been identified, as have the chromatin acceptor proteins which also show preferential binding for steroid receptor complexes. The steroid receptors are localized primarily in the nuclear compartment. These developments are discussed in terms of the estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, androgen receptors, glucocorticoid receptors, Vitamin D receptors, regulation of cytochrome P 450, and cDNA probes for CBG and ABP.
Biomembrenes and Receptor Mechanism-Edited by E. BERTOLI, D. CHAPMAN, A. CAMBR~A and U. SCAPAGNINI. 408 pp. 1987. Liviana Press; Springer, Berlin. The topics covered in this multi-authored book are: biomembrane dynamics as shown by spectroscopic studies; freeze-fracture; membrane protein and receptor structure and organization; mobility of phospholipids; lipid protein interaction; membrane fluidity and regulation of membrane linked enzymes; lipid regulation of receptor functions; fusionfission of membranes; metabolite transport; hormone receptors; molecular structure of nicotinic ACh-R and GABA-R. The volume provides a useful summary of membrane structure and function.
Natural Toxins: Animal, Plant and Microbial-Edited by J. B. HARRIS. 353 vv. 1986. Oxford Science Publications. Oxford. $72.50. -Study of the properties and mechanisms of actions of natural toxins have given considerable insight into physiological and biochemical mechanisms. It is interesting that tetrodotoxin, a blocker of sodium channels, has probably evolved independently in fish, amphibia and molluscs. The snake bungarotoxins have greatly helped in the elucidation of the nature of the acetylcholine receptor. This multiauthored volume reviews the snake venoms, poisoning by 403
tick bite, marine invertebrate toxins, plant and fungal toxins, bacterial toxins, and the use of monoclonal antibodies for the elucidation of antigenic structure of toxins. Further detailed study of the mechanisms of action of purified toxins will both increase our understanding of how the toxin acts as well as showing ways of counteracting their action.
Iron-Sulphur Protein ResearcLEdited by H. MATSUBARA, Y. KATSUBE and K. WADA. 329 pp. 1987. Japan Scientific Societies Press; Springer, Berlin. DM 128. The discovery of ferredoxin in 1962 sparked off intensive research into iron-sulphur proteins, a widely distributed group of compounds that function either with simple iron-sulphur clusters, [lFe], [2Fe_2S], [4Fe4S]. [3Fe_xS], involved in electron transfer (the redox potentials varied from - 700 to - 350 mV), or with conjugated forms of flavins, hemes and other metals. They are associated with nitrogenase, hydrogenase, mitochondrial NADHubiquinone reductase (Comvlex I). SDH. cvtochrome b6-f. and- photosynthesis. This ;olu& proiidks an excellen; review of the subject.
Phosphate Metabolism and Cellular Regulation in Microorganisms-Edited by A. TORRIANI-GORINI, F. G. ROTHMAN, S. SILVER, A. WRIGHT and E. YAGIL. 316 pp. 1987. American Society for Microbiology. $49. This multi-authored volume has papers grouped into sections: phosphate regulation in E. coli; phosphate regulation in diverse microorganisms; protein secretion and use of alkaline phosphatase; structure and function of alkaline phosphatase; transport of phosphate and phosphorylated compounds in E. co/i; mechanisms and energetics of phosphate transport in other organisms; phosphate reserves and energy storage-polyphosphates; phosphate reserves and energy storage-pyrophosphates; global regulatory systems in enteric bacteria (SOS, DNA repair, carbon circuits, nitrogen assimilation); and historical perspective.
Drugs and the Brair+by SOLOMONH. SNYDER.228 pp. 1986. Scientific American Library. New York. $32.95. This very well illustrated book provides a readable and scientific account of the history of drug usage; how neurotransmitters work on receptors; the role of opiates; drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia; antidepressants; tranquilizers and psychedelics. The material is developed from its historic background so giving the reader insight into the use and study of the drugs. Students and research workers will enjoy reading this book and gain much information from it.
Brain Systems, Disorders and Psychotropic Drugs-By HEATHER ASHTON. 547 pp. 1987. Oxford University Press, Oxford. $87. This book is based on lectures given to medical students on the principles of psychopharmacology. The main sections