Methods in enzymology

Methods in enzymology

ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 168,476 (1988) BOOK REVIEW Advanced Methods in Protein Microsequence Analysis. Edited by BRIGITTE WITTMANN-LIEBOLD, JOHANN SA...

93KB Sizes 4 Downloads 80 Views

ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 168,476 (1988)

BOOK REVIEW Advanced Methods in Protein Microsequence Analysis. Edited by BRIGITTE WITTMANN-LIEBOLD, JOHANN SALNIKOW, AND VOLKER A. ERDMANN, SpringerVerlag, New York, 1986.423 pp. $79.00

sequencing RNA and genetic engineering for sequence analysis. A chapter on fast atom bombardment mass spectral analysis of peptides describes this newly introduced tool for sequence analysis. Each author responsible for writing a chapter provides a brief introduction to the experimental procedure, a list of suppliers when appropriate, stepby-step details given in outline form on how to execute the procedure, summary tables, abundant illustrations, and sufficient examples and results to assist the reader in appreciating the value of the method. Many chapters contain a critical analysis of the method which will help a new user to gain insight to problems that may be associated with the execution of a technique. The book is helpful in many ways: providing a table of contents for each chapter, extensive use of tables to give brief experimental procedures, inclusion of details on the preparation of reagents, and illustration of typical results. Advanced Methods in Microsequence Analysis will be an excellent source of useful information and procedures for many years to come.

We see the introduction of still another new book describing the latest techniques in the amino acid sequencing of proteins. The subject should interest investigators in a number of research areas in biochemistry, biotechnology, and biomedicine because the determination of the amino acid sequence increases our understanding and appreciation of the structure, function, and evolution of proteins, in their relevance to biomedical problems associated with altered genes, and in providing partial peptide sequences for probes in site-specific mutagenesis. Advanced Methods in Protein Microsequence Analysis differs from other recent arrivals in giving the essential experimental details needed for the most frequently used procedures. The book covers the separation of peptides and proteins, amino acid analysis, the Edman degradation, radiosequence analysis, computer control and data analysis, a limited coverage of protein conformation, strategies and specific examples of sequencing peptides and proteins, and finally a short but effective treatment of

ALBERT LIGHT Department of Chemistry Purdue University

Briefly Noted tors to the field who here contributed a chapter on the history of these compounds. The first volume (Part A) deals with the more chemical and physical aspects of the pyridine nucleotides, and the second (Part B) deals with their metabolic aspects. Author and subject indexes span 120 and 140 pages, respectively, for the two volumes. The coverage appears to be authoritative and thorough.

Handbook of Separation Process Technology. Edited by RONALD W. ROUSSEAU. Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1987. 1010 pp, $69.95. This is a handbook of data and correlations applicable to the unit processes that comprise separation technology. As such, it is intended for the chemical engineer. Although tbe operations are for large-scale use in industrial applications, chapters on extraction, adsorption, ion exchange, large-scale chromatography, and dialysis present information for the biochemist.

Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 138, Complex Carbohydrates, Part E. Edited by VICTOR GINSBURG, Academic Press, Orlando, 1987. 899 pp.

Pyridine Nuckwtide Coenzymes. Chemical, Biochemical and Medical Aspects. Edited by DAVID DOLPHIN, OLGA AVRAMOVIC, AND ROZANNE PAULSON, WileyInterscience, New York, 1987. Vol. I, 759 pp. $99.95; Vol. II, 776 pp, $99.95.

This contribution to methods dealing with complex carbohydrates is divided into sections on analysis, preparations, carbohydrate binding proteins, biosynthesis, and degradation. It is a collection of selected topics in each of these areas rather than an integrated presentation of any one. Some topics are of broad interest, as is an article on the analysis of sialic acids, whereas others are of largely archival value.

The second in the series Coenzymes and Cofactors, the two volumes on the pyridine coenzymes are dedicated to the late Nathan 0. Kaplan, one of the major contribuooO3-2697/88 $3.00 Copyri%t0 1988 by Academic All rights of repmduction

F’ms, Inc. in any fom reserved.

476