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Monoclonal antibodies to receptors: Probes for receptor structure
TIBS - April 1985
175
Book Reviews Marvellous Mab$
to receptors. Thirteen chapters, by the authors present the work performed well-known 'receptorologists', describe by other groups as well as their own, studies involving Mabs for neurotrans- though sometimes too briefly. Monoclonal A n t i b o d i e s to mitter receptors (cholinergic and This book will be particularly useful Receptors: Probes for Receptor adrenergic), immunological receptors to those who are involved in receptor Structure (complement receptors, T-cell antigens research and either already use Mabs or edited by M. F. Greaves, Chapman and and growth-factor receptor), receptors are considering their application. It Hall, 1984. £35.00 (xii + 324 pages) for TSH, transferrin, insulin and EGF demonstrates how Mabs are used in as well as intracellular steroid receptors, various systems, and shows those who ISBN 0 412 25330 5 Many examples are described in which are interested, ways to adapt these During the ten years since their dis- Mabs have been used to identify, local- approaches to their systems. Since covery, monoclonal antibodies have ize and purify receptors and to study receptors are mostly protein macroproved to be a superb tool for studying a their structure, function, biosynthesis molecules, the book should be equally great variety of macromolecules. They and metabolism. The use of Mabs as important for those studying other nonhave been used successfully to identify, model autoantibodies for receptors in receptor macromolecules (especially purify and study the biochemistry, autoimmune diseases is also presented, membrane-bound ones). However, it is physiology and pathology of numerous as well as a novel way to obtain anti- not a book of methods - rather it antigens. Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) receptor monoclonals using the ligands presents interesting information obare homogeneous immunoglobulins of the receptors as immunogens instead tained from studies with Mabs. This directed to a certain epitope of an of the receptors themselves. Only a few information, together with the introantigen; they can be obtained in un- of the receptors for which Mabs are duction on the corresponding receptor, limited amounts when needed. Unlike available are not presented in detail makes the book appropriate for those polyclonal antibodies, specific Mabs can (these include receptors for LDL, pro- who wish to get a general idea of the even be raised against crude and un- lactinandhepatocyteasialoglycoprotein), current status of receptor research. identified antigens. These antigens can In addition to an informative intro- Unfortunately, in a fast-growing field then be purified with the help of Mabs. duction by the Editor on the uses of like this some of the information preThe behaviour of polyclonal antibodies Mabs in various aspects of receptor sented is already out of date, as for is a function of the average effect of the research, two other chapters review the example that on the T-cell antigen numerous immunoglobulins they conliterature and analyse their use for receptor. Some of the 'notes added in tain. In contrast, some Mabs have the receptor purification and molecular proof' demonstrate this point. unique ability to recognize different cloning. The authors of most chapters In summary, Monoclonal Antibodies parts of an antigen, which allows a have themselves made important contri- to Receptors is a valuable book well thorough characterization of that antibutions to their respective fields and written by experts. It can be recomgen. In the last few years, Mabs have they present many interesting appli- mended to all those who have an also been used as tools in recombinant cations of Mabs in considerable detail, interest in this field. DNA technology. Recently, this techUnfortunately the detail is, in some SOCRATES J. T Z A R T O S nology returned the favour by making cases, overdone. For example, some possible the manufacture of artificial trivial details on the production of Mabs Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127, Ave Vas. Sofias, hybrid Mabs with distinct advantages. only serve to fatigue the reader. Most of Athens 11521, Greece. In addition to their extensive use in basic research, Mabs are used in diagnosis and are expected to play an Discussing d i c h o t o m i e s increasingly important role in the treatIndividuality and Determinism: ment of human disease. environment', 'mind/brain' and 'chance/ Receptor research came out of its Chemical and Biological Bases necessity'. Fox and his 'symposiasts' infancy only a few years before the edited by S.W. Fox, Plenum Press, 1984. approach these dichotomies in the light discovery of Mabs. Receptors, which $35.00 (ix + 225 pages) ISBN 0 of their own research, from cell division are usually plasma membrane proteins, during gastrulation to the synthesis of 30641621 2 mediate the transfer of information into prebiotic proteinoids. They are, howthe cell. Their study had been hampered The typescript product of a two-year-old ever relatively inexperienced in the because of various difficulties, including conference reproduced with unjustified issues or methods of more synthetic disthe minute quantities in which they right margins and painstakingly tran- course, and at their best when closest to usually exist. With the advent of new scribed discussion sessions doesn't nor- their own data. and more sensitive methods, such as mally enthuse a reviewer. But the goal A good example occurs in the very monoclonal antibody technology, pro- of this conference, sponsored by the first paper, by Koshland, on individugress in this field is growing fast. Liberty Foundation - not a well-known ality in bacteria and its relationship to This book, the latest of a series which name in scientific circles - was intriguing higher species. Koshland's research on has successfully covered many aspects of enough to urge me to read on. 'Freedom 'tumbling' behaviour in bacteria is beauthe research in the receptor field, or determinism' is a dichotomy as tifully described. The behaviour is partly contains a significant part of the work potent, and misleading, as those other under genetic control, partly modulated performed with monoclonal antibodies favourites 'nature/nurture', 'gene/ by environmental circumstances -
175
Book Reviews Marvellous Mab$
to receptors. Thirteen chapters, by the authors present the work performed well-known 'receptorologists', describe by other groups as well as their own, studies involving Mabs for neurotrans- though sometimes too briefly. Monoclonal A n t i b o d i e s to mitter receptors (cholinergic and This book will be particularly useful Receptors: Probes for Receptor adrenergic), immunological receptors to those who are involved in receptor Structure (complement receptors, T-cell antigens research and either already use Mabs or edited by M. F. Greaves, Chapman and and growth-factor receptor), receptors are considering their application. It Hall, 1984. £35.00 (xii + 324 pages) for TSH, transferrin, insulin and EGF demonstrates how Mabs are used in as well as intracellular steroid receptors, various systems, and shows those who ISBN 0 412 25330 5 Many examples are described in which are interested, ways to adapt these During the ten years since their dis- Mabs have been used to identify, local- approaches to their systems. Since covery, monoclonal antibodies have ize and purify receptors and to study receptors are mostly protein macroproved to be a superb tool for studying a their structure, function, biosynthesis molecules, the book should be equally great variety of macromolecules. They and metabolism. The use of Mabs as important for those studying other nonhave been used successfully to identify, model autoantibodies for receptors in receptor macromolecules (especially purify and study the biochemistry, autoimmune diseases is also presented, membrane-bound ones). However, it is physiology and pathology of numerous as well as a novel way to obtain anti- not a book of methods - rather it antigens. Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) receptor monoclonals using the ligands presents interesting information obare homogeneous immunoglobulins of the receptors as immunogens instead tained from studies with Mabs. This directed to a certain epitope of an of the receptors themselves. Only a few information, together with the introantigen; they can be obtained in un- of the receptors for which Mabs are duction on the corresponding receptor, limited amounts when needed. Unlike available are not presented in detail makes the book appropriate for those polyclonal antibodies, specific Mabs can (these include receptors for LDL, pro- who wish to get a general idea of the even be raised against crude and un- lactinandhepatocyteasialoglycoprotein), current status of receptor research. identified antigens. These antigens can In addition to an informative intro- Unfortunately, in a fast-growing field then be purified with the help of Mabs. duction by the Editor on the uses of like this some of the information preThe behaviour of polyclonal antibodies Mabs in various aspects of receptor sented is already out of date, as for is a function of the average effect of the research, two other chapters review the example that on the T-cell antigen numerous immunoglobulins they conliterature and analyse their use for receptor. Some of the 'notes added in tain. In contrast, some Mabs have the receptor purification and molecular proof' demonstrate this point. unique ability to recognize different cloning. The authors of most chapters In summary, Monoclonal Antibodies parts of an antigen, which allows a have themselves made important contri- to Receptors is a valuable book well thorough characterization of that antibutions to their respective fields and written by experts. It can be recomgen. In the last few years, Mabs have they present many interesting appli- mended to all those who have an also been used as tools in recombinant cations of Mabs in considerable detail, interest in this field. DNA technology. Recently, this techUnfortunately the detail is, in some SOCRATES J. T Z A R T O S nology returned the favour by making cases, overdone. For example, some possible the manufacture of artificial trivial details on the production of Mabs Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127, Ave Vas. Sofias, hybrid Mabs with distinct advantages. only serve to fatigue the reader. Most of Athens 11521, Greece. In addition to their extensive use in basic research, Mabs are used in diagnosis and are expected to play an Discussing d i c h o t o m i e s increasingly important role in the treatIndividuality and Determinism: ment of human disease. environment', 'mind/brain' and 'chance/ Receptor research came out of its Chemical and Biological Bases necessity'. Fox and his 'symposiasts' infancy only a few years before the edited by S.W. Fox, Plenum Press, 1984. approach these dichotomies in the light discovery of Mabs. Receptors, which $35.00 (ix + 225 pages) ISBN 0 of their own research, from cell division are usually plasma membrane proteins, during gastrulation to the synthesis of 30641621 2 mediate the transfer of information into prebiotic proteinoids. They are, howthe cell. Their study had been hampered The typescript product of a two-year-old ever relatively inexperienced in the because of various difficulties, including conference reproduced with unjustified issues or methods of more synthetic disthe minute quantities in which they right margins and painstakingly tran- course, and at their best when closest to usually exist. With the advent of new scribed discussion sessions doesn't nor- their own data. and more sensitive methods, such as mally enthuse a reviewer. But the goal A good example occurs in the very monoclonal antibody technology, pro- of this conference, sponsored by the first paper, by Koshland, on individugress in this field is growing fast. Liberty Foundation - not a well-known ality in bacteria and its relationship to This book, the latest of a series which name in scientific circles - was intriguing higher species. Koshland's research on has successfully covered many aspects of enough to urge me to read on. 'Freedom 'tumbling' behaviour in bacteria is beauthe research in the receptor field, or determinism' is a dichotomy as tifully described. The behaviour is partly contains a significant part of the work potent, and misleading, as those other under genetic control, partly modulated performed with monoclonal antibodies favourites 'nature/nurture', 'gene/ by environmental circumstances -