Analytical Biochemistry 270, 341–342 (1999) All articles available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
BOOK REVIEWS Methods in Enzymology, Volumes 293 and 294, Ion Channels, Part B and Part C. Edited by P. Michael Conn. Academic Press, New York, 1998, 759 and 731 pp. The first volume in this series on ion channels brought together two distinct disciplines, electrophysiology and molecular biology. Parts B and C continue the editor’s intent to include material that covers standard biochemical and molecular biology techniques applied to the study of ion channels, and to provide information on recent applications and modifications of standard electrophysiological methods. This reviewer concludes that the editor sought the experts in the field and collected and bound the resulting material as chapters bound between green covers. This lack of presentation of an organized story, rather than stray topics, is regrettable. It detracts from the potential usefulness of the thoughtful, detailed, and expert information usually provided by the individual authors throughout both books. Volume 293 has 36 chapters, each about 15–20 pages in length, separated into 5 sections: assembly, genetics, electrophysiology, expression systems, and model simulations. Volume 294 is composed of 37 chapters grouped in 6 sections: physical methods, purification and reconstitution, second messenger and biochemical approaches, special channels, toxins and other membrane active compounds, and reagent and information sources. The content of one of these sections, “Genetics,” is summarized to show how the subject of a section does not allow the reader to anticipate the material that will or will not be covered. The section begins with protocols for preparing site-directed mutated DNA, followed by human cardiac ion channels with brief descriptions of methods for obtaining cardiac tissue, culturing cardiac cells, electrophysiology, heterologous expression, immunofluorescence, and RT–PCR. The next chapters describe methods for expressing heterologous K 1 channels in yeast and the use of the yeast two-hybrid system for the identification of proteins associated with ion channels. Two chapters describe the substitutedcysteine accessibility method including procedures for synthesizing thiosulfonate derivatives and the application of this method to study voltage-dependent conformation. The section ends with two protocols for in situ hybridization of cloned ion channels in brain slices. Similar unexpected combinations of topics are encountered in other sections, in particular the ones on physical methods and electrophysiology. The individual chapters in each of the sections are excellent, containing effective and worthwhile information on recent advances in electrophysiological measurements and techniques such as the measurement of calcium signals. Many chapters cover a particular method: for example, (1) patch
clamping C. elegans, (2) incorporating unnatural amino acids in ion channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, (3) measuring ligand binding to the AChR, and (4) immunoprecipitation of 32P-labeled glutamate receptors expressed in HEK293 cells. Other chapters are primarily theoretical discussions or kinetic analyses requiring an appreciation of complex formula. Examples are chapters on (1) data analysis of voltage-dependent ion channels, (2) spin label ESR and FTIR spectroscopy, (3) model simulations, and (4) molecular modeling of ligand-gated ion channels and homology modeling. An exception to the random inclusion of topics that characterize other sections, the section on “Purification and Reconstitution” brings together methods on this procedure with chapters on CFTR, GlyR, cyclic nucleotide-gated, maxi-K and iodide channels, and on techniques for using native tissues and the nystatin/ergostrol method to reconstitute ion channels into planar lipid bilayers. There is a noteworthy chapter on expressing ligand-gated ion channels using Semliki forest virus and baculovirus, and one on using recombinant adenovirus to introduce genes into postmitotic neurons. Methods for high-level expression and detection of ion channels in Xenopus oocytes, measurement of unidirectional K 1 fluxes in Xenopus oocytes, and the expression of heteromeric ion channel proteins form part of the same section. Most chapters consider one type of the more-familiar ion channels, while ATP-sensitive K 1 channels, mechanosensitive channels of bacteria, virus ion channels, gramicidin channels, and aquaporins are grouped together under “Special Channels.” There are chapters on toxins (conotoxin, scorpion toxin, snake dendrotoxins) and ones on synthetic peptides and on using planar lipid bilayer membranes to screen membrane-active compounds. Part C ends with a chapter on antibodies and one discussing Internet information on ion channels. The chapter on antibodies to ion channels contains tables listing numerous antibodies with their characteristics, reactivity and source. The books provide an archive for a large amount of information collected on ion channels. Unfortunately the topics covered and the type of discussion each presents are too random to form a reliable source book for methods required in the study of ion channels. Those looking for comprehensive coverage of techniques in the field may not find it, although if a topic of interest is included in these two volumes, they will be rewarded with the views and useful protocols provided by expert contributors. Evelyn F. Grollman NIDDK, NIH Article ID abio.1999.4075
Approaches to Gene Mapping in Complex Human Diseases. Edited by Jonathan L. Haines and Margaret A. Pericak Vance. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1998. p. xxii 1 434 pp., $69.95. “This book has grown out of a 4-day course on mapping genetically complex diseases that we have been teaching since 1994. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive review of common and genetically complex disease gene mapping, as well as a guide to the often difficult 0003-2697/99 $30.00 Copyright © 1999 by Academic Press All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
design aspects, to allow interested readers (physician-scientists, students and other researchers) to understand the entire mapping process without getting too heavily into the statistical and laboratory details” (from the editors’ preface). Indeed, this book comprises 18 chapters, written by a total of 17 authors, all experts in their respective fields, a glossary, and index, covering everything from basic concepts in genetics, linkage, segregation, and association analysis, defining disease phenotypes, study design (recruiting subjects, sam341