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Medicinal chemistry: a biochemical approach, 2nd edn
1~. J. Biochem. Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 233-234, Pergamon Press pk. Printed in Great Britain
1989
BOOK REVIEWS Cytochromes c; Biological Aspect-G. G. R. Moore. 282 pp. 1987. Springer,
W. Pettigrew and Berlin. DM198.
The ubiquitous and conservative cytochromes c have provided excellent material for biochemists and molecular biologists. This volume surveys: resolution, characterization and classification of c-type cytochromes; the role of mitochondrial cytochrome c in electron transport; the function of bacterial and photosynthetic cytochromes c; and the biosynthesis of cytochrome c. The text provides full methodological details and a critical analysis of the results in terms of electron transport and energetics. There is an appendix including the 1986 literature. Highly recommended.
Enzyme KineticsA. Cornish-Bowden and C. W. Wharton. 77 pp. 1988. IRL Press, Oxford. E5.95, $11.95 (paperback). This volume is one of an “in focus” series where rapidly developing subjects are reviewed at a student level. Other volumes in this series are on: regulation of enzyme activity; gene structure and transcription; immune recognition; and complement. The present readable volume covers the subject of enzyme kinetics at a basic level. It could be improved if there were a series of worked calculations and problems at the end of each chapter.
Enzyme Dynamics and Regulatio~Edited by P. Boon Chock, C. Y. Huang, C. L. Tsou and J. H. Wang. 421 pp. 1988. Springer, New York. DM175. This is the published proceedings of an international symposium. The main sections are on: enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; regulatory enzymes; enzyme mediated processes; membrane bound and immobilized enzymes; enzyme methodology; enzyme structure and functions; and site directed mutagenesis of enzymes. Forty-seven reviews are presented and they give a good summary of the present state of the subject.
Dynamics of Proteins and Nucleic Acids--J. A. McCammon and S. C. Harvey. 234 pp. 1987. Cambridge Univ. Press, New York. $19.95 (paperback). This book describes the theoretical methods for studying atomic motion in proteins and nucleic acids. It provides a dynamic picture that will be of use in understanding molecular interactions and will also be of use in the design of new drugs, enzymes or vaccines. The main chapters are: structure and dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids and their solvent surroundings; theoretical methods (potential energy, potential mean force, energy minimization, adiabetic mapping, normal mode analysis, free energy calculations, activated molecule dynamics, Brownian dynamics); short time dynamics; local structural transitions; global structural changes; dynamics of molecular associations; and recent developments and future directions.
Genetics of Translation; New Approaches. NATO AS1 Series H, CeU Biology, Vol. l&Edited by M. F. Tuite, M. Picard and M. Bolotin-Fukuhara. 524 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM248. B.C 21,2--H
233
The papers of this symposium are grouped into sections on: ribosomal RNA; ribosomal proteins; transfer RNA; translation factors; mechanism of translation; accuracy of translation; and translational control. The aim was to apply what is known about the classical genetic approaches of translation in prokaryotes to eukaryotes but many of the papers are concerned with E. coli and yeast, however, Drosophila and mammalian cells also appear.
Calcium and Calcium Binding ProteinsEdited by Ch. Gerday, L. Bolis and R. Gilles. 259 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM118. This multi-authored volume has an introductory review on inositol lipids, G proteins and signal transduction. The remaining papers are grouped into sections: calcium binding proteins in muscle tissue; calcium binding proteins in nonmuscle tissues; calmodulin in the regulation of cellular activity; and calcium in different biological systems.
Pheromone Biochemistry-Edited by G. D. Prestwich and G. J. Blomquist. 565 pp. 1987. Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. $85. This multi-authored volume contains two sections. (I) Pheromone [P] biosynthesis and its regulation: structurefunction relationships of P; biology and ultrastructure of sex P producing glands; P biosynthesis desaturation and chain shortening; endocrine regulation of P production in Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera; alkaloid derived P; and cantharidin biosynthesis and function. (2) Reception and catabolism of P: functional morphology of P sensitive sensilla; molecular basis of P reception; neurobiology of P reception; chemical studies of P reception and catabolism; and molecular mechanisms of vertebrate olfaction and its implications for P biochemistry. Insects grow rapidly and the appearance of new mRNA and new proteins for P biosynthesis, reception and catabolism can be accurately timed and studied. It is possible that the basic understanding of mechanisms of olfaction will come from P studies on insects. Pheromones also have important economic applications in the selective control of insect populations.
Medicinal Chemistry: a Biochemical Approach, 2nd ednThomas Nogrady. 514 pp. 1988. Oxford Univ. Press, New York $49.95 (cloth), S32.50 (paperback). The chapter headings are: physicochemical properties of drug action; receptorreffector theories; methods of receptor classification; drugs acting on neurotransmitters and their receptors; drugs acting on hormones, neurohormones and their receptors; non-messenger targets for drug action; drug distribution and metabolism; principles of drug design; and drugs arranged by their pharmacological activity. This second edition has more on: P13; tyrosine-phosphorylase; the role of oncogene products on transmembrane signalling; co-transmitters; adenosine receptors; calcium channel blockers; atria1 natriuretic factors; antiarrhthmic drugs; DNA topoisomerase inhibitory mechanism of antitumor and antibacterial agents; and drug design using numerical techniques and computer graphics. The text is very readable and each chapter has a bibliography for further reading. The
234
Book Reviews
book will be very useful for those wishing to understand the mechanisms of drug action and how to design new drugs. of Neuroedocrinology, Vol. lo-Edited by L. Martini and W. F. Ganong. 357 pp. 1988. Raven Press, New York. $120.
Frontiers
This multi-authored volume has reviews on: the neuropeptides in the brain; atria1 natriuretic factor; atriopeptide; renin-angiotensin system; propiomelanocortin; arginine
vasopressin and oxytocin in organs outside the CNS; gonadotropin releasing hormone; inhibins and activins: hormone organization of neural circuits; GnRH and its analogs; and clinical consideration of growth hormone and GHRH. Whilst physicists try to develop a unified field theory, it is clear that endocrinologists have developed a unified peptide theory; most peptides are not restricted to one single body tissue but can be synthesised in many different organs of the body. This volume summarizes much of the data and gives insight into the mechanisms of action and integration.
1989
BOOK REVIEWS Cytochromes c; Biological Aspect-G. G. R. Moore. 282 pp. 1987. Springer,
W. Pettigrew and Berlin. DM198.
The ubiquitous and conservative cytochromes c have provided excellent material for biochemists and molecular biologists. This volume surveys: resolution, characterization and classification of c-type cytochromes; the role of mitochondrial cytochrome c in electron transport; the function of bacterial and photosynthetic cytochromes c; and the biosynthesis of cytochrome c. The text provides full methodological details and a critical analysis of the results in terms of electron transport and energetics. There is an appendix including the 1986 literature. Highly recommended.
Enzyme KineticsA. Cornish-Bowden and C. W. Wharton. 77 pp. 1988. IRL Press, Oxford. E5.95, $11.95 (paperback). This volume is one of an “in focus” series where rapidly developing subjects are reviewed at a student level. Other volumes in this series are on: regulation of enzyme activity; gene structure and transcription; immune recognition; and complement. The present readable volume covers the subject of enzyme kinetics at a basic level. It could be improved if there were a series of worked calculations and problems at the end of each chapter.
Enzyme Dynamics and Regulatio~Edited by P. Boon Chock, C. Y. Huang, C. L. Tsou and J. H. Wang. 421 pp. 1988. Springer, New York. DM175. This is the published proceedings of an international symposium. The main sections are on: enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; regulatory enzymes; enzyme mediated processes; membrane bound and immobilized enzymes; enzyme methodology; enzyme structure and functions; and site directed mutagenesis of enzymes. Forty-seven reviews are presented and they give a good summary of the present state of the subject.
Dynamics of Proteins and Nucleic Acids--J. A. McCammon and S. C. Harvey. 234 pp. 1987. Cambridge Univ. Press, New York. $19.95 (paperback). This book describes the theoretical methods for studying atomic motion in proteins and nucleic acids. It provides a dynamic picture that will be of use in understanding molecular interactions and will also be of use in the design of new drugs, enzymes or vaccines. The main chapters are: structure and dynamics of proteins and nucleic acids and their solvent surroundings; theoretical methods (potential energy, potential mean force, energy minimization, adiabetic mapping, normal mode analysis, free energy calculations, activated molecule dynamics, Brownian dynamics); short time dynamics; local structural transitions; global structural changes; dynamics of molecular associations; and recent developments and future directions.
Genetics of Translation; New Approaches. NATO AS1 Series H, CeU Biology, Vol. l&Edited by M. F. Tuite, M. Picard and M. Bolotin-Fukuhara. 524 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM248. B.C 21,2--H
233
The papers of this symposium are grouped into sections on: ribosomal RNA; ribosomal proteins; transfer RNA; translation factors; mechanism of translation; accuracy of translation; and translational control. The aim was to apply what is known about the classical genetic approaches of translation in prokaryotes to eukaryotes but many of the papers are concerned with E. coli and yeast, however, Drosophila and mammalian cells also appear.
Calcium and Calcium Binding ProteinsEdited by Ch. Gerday, L. Bolis and R. Gilles. 259 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM118. This multi-authored volume has an introductory review on inositol lipids, G proteins and signal transduction. The remaining papers are grouped into sections: calcium binding proteins in muscle tissue; calcium binding proteins in nonmuscle tissues; calmodulin in the regulation of cellular activity; and calcium in different biological systems.
Pheromone Biochemistry-Edited by G. D. Prestwich and G. J. Blomquist. 565 pp. 1987. Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. $85. This multi-authored volume contains two sections. (I) Pheromone [P] biosynthesis and its regulation: structurefunction relationships of P; biology and ultrastructure of sex P producing glands; P biosynthesis desaturation and chain shortening; endocrine regulation of P production in Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera; alkaloid derived P; and cantharidin biosynthesis and function. (2) Reception and catabolism of P: functional morphology of P sensitive sensilla; molecular basis of P reception; neurobiology of P reception; chemical studies of P reception and catabolism; and molecular mechanisms of vertebrate olfaction and its implications for P biochemistry. Insects grow rapidly and the appearance of new mRNA and new proteins for P biosynthesis, reception and catabolism can be accurately timed and studied. It is possible that the basic understanding of mechanisms of olfaction will come from P studies on insects. Pheromones also have important economic applications in the selective control of insect populations.
Medicinal Chemistry: a Biochemical Approach, 2nd ednThomas Nogrady. 514 pp. 1988. Oxford Univ. Press, New York $49.95 (cloth), S32.50 (paperback). The chapter headings are: physicochemical properties of drug action; receptorreffector theories; methods of receptor classification; drugs acting on neurotransmitters and their receptors; drugs acting on hormones, neurohormones and their receptors; non-messenger targets for drug action; drug distribution and metabolism; principles of drug design; and drugs arranged by their pharmacological activity. This second edition has more on: P13; tyrosine-phosphorylase; the role of oncogene products on transmembrane signalling; co-transmitters; adenosine receptors; calcium channel blockers; atria1 natriuretic factors; antiarrhthmic drugs; DNA topoisomerase inhibitory mechanism of antitumor and antibacterial agents; and drug design using numerical techniques and computer graphics. The text is very readable and each chapter has a bibliography for further reading. The
234
Book Reviews
book will be very useful for those wishing to understand the mechanisms of drug action and how to design new drugs. of Neuroedocrinology, Vol. lo-Edited by L. Martini and W. F. Ganong. 357 pp. 1988. Raven Press, New York. $120.
Frontiers
This multi-authored volume has reviews on: the neuropeptides in the brain; atria1 natriuretic factor; atriopeptide; renin-angiotensin system; propiomelanocortin; arginine
vasopressin and oxytocin in organs outside the CNS; gonadotropin releasing hormone; inhibins and activins: hormone organization of neural circuits; GnRH and its analogs; and clinical consideration of growth hormone and GHRH. Whilst physicists try to develop a unified field theory, it is clear that endocrinologists have developed a unified peptide theory; most peptides are not restricted to one single body tissue but can be synthesised in many different organs of the body. This volume summarizes much of the data and gives insight into the mechanisms of action and integration.