New approaches in cancer pharmacology; Drug design and development

New approaches in cancer pharmacology; Drug design and development

Inr.J. Biochem.Vol. 25. No. II, pp. 1697-1698, 1993 PergamonPressLtd. Printedin Great Britain BOOK REVIEWS Chemistry of Proteolysis. V. K. ANTONOV. ...

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Inr.J. Biochem.Vol. 25. No. II, pp. 1697-1698, 1993 PergamonPressLtd. Printedin Great Britain

BOOK REVIEWS

Chemistry of Proteolysis. V. K. ANTONOV. 494~~. Springer Verlag, Berlin. DM 498.

cultures of bone marrow have allowed progenitor and precursor cells to proliferate and differentiate; immunoglobulin genes in germ line configuration can rearrange. These progenitor and precursor cells can be injected in SCID mice resulting in repopulation of the pre-B and B-cell compartments. c-myc is a transcription factor that regulates the ornithine decarboxylase gene. Ornithine decarboxylase is a rate limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis that is required in the progression from Gl to the S phase in cell division. B-cells provide an excellent model system for understanding immunochemistry and neoplasia.

1993.

Proteolysis is the enzymatic hydrolysis of the amide bond in peptides and proteins. At least 597 proteases are known and this book deals with: their substrates; the properties of the enzymes (primary structure, spatial structure, active sites, conformational mobility); non-enzymatic models; enzyme hydrolysis-phenomenology (kinetics, specificity, efficiency); regulation and the effect of external factors; enzyme substrate complexes; chemical transformation of the substrate; specificity and efficiency-concepts and hypotheses. The treatment is rigorous, clear, and at an advanced level.

New Approaches in Cancer Pharmacology; Drug Design and Development. Edited by P. WORKMAN. 103 pp. 1992. Springer Verlag, Berlin. DM 102.

The Biology of Neuropeptide Y and Related Peptides. Edited by W. F. COLMERS and C. WAHLESTEDT. 564~~. 1993. Human Press, New Jersey. U.S.A. $99.50, Elsewhere $119.50.

With the increase in understanding the basic biology of cell reproduction, has come a greater understanding of the control methods. This is reflected in the present volume which deals with; sequence and gene specific drugs; antisense and antigene oligonucleotides targeted to oncogenes; biological and gene therapies; membrane and signal transduction targets; novel anti-endocrine agents; bioreductive drugs (hypoxia); therapeutic drug monitoring and dose optimization in oncology; current strategies of anticancer drug discovery, i.e. targeting onto cell membrane; growth factors and receptors; signal transduction proteins; oncogenes; cell cycle regulators; extrachromasomal DNA; hypoxia; tumor cell differentiation; tumor vasculature; topiosomerase I; mitochondria; microtubules.

The neuropeptide Y (NPY) family consists of NPY, peptide YY (PYY), pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and fish pancreatic peptide (PY). All members of the family have 36 amino acids and have a carboxyterminal amide. NPY is found in the nervous system; PYY in the intestine and PP in the pancreas. NPY is also found in megakaryocytes, the adrenal medulla and can be released from platelets. NPY has been analysed from hagfish, Torpedo, goldfish, frog, chicken, alligators and a range of mammals. Its structure is highly conserved. NPY of mammals is identical to that of Torpedo in 33 positions out of the 36 (92% similarity over 500 million years). A substance similar to PP is also found in invertebrates (Lumbricus, Lymnaea, Calliphora). This book deals with the evolution of the NPY family; structure and expression of the NPY gene; NPY neurons; NPY in peripheral nervous system; receptor types; NPY a neurotransmitter; NPY and control of GI function; effect on the cardiovascular system; effect on endocrine and reproductive systems; NPY in multiple hypothalamic sites controls eating behaviour; NPY in relation to behaviour and psychiatric disorders.

Antibiotic and Chemotherapy. 6th Edition. Edited by H. P. LAMBERT and F. W. O’GRADY. 561 pp. 1992. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh. $149.95.

Mechanisms in B-cell Neoplasia 1992. Edited by M. POTTER and F. MELCHERS.499 pp. 1992. Springer Verlag, Berlin. DM 205. This book contains the proceedings of the 1992 Workshop held in Bethesda. The papers are grouped into sections on; B-cell development; immunoglobulin gene rearrangement; multiple myeloma, plasmacytomas; lymphomas, BCLL, follicular lymphomas BCL-2, BCL-1; Lymphomas, EBV, Aids associated lymphomas; oncogenes and transcriptional factors. Specific B-cell growth factors can now be produced in large quantities. Model systems for each of the major B-cell tumors have been constructed. Tissue

This major text has been completely revised and brought up to date. The chapters deal with (I) Agents; aminoglycosides and aminocyclitols; antifungals; antimycobacteria; antivirals; beta lactams; cephalosporins; chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol; coumarins; cycloserine; diamidines; diaminopyridines; fosfomycin and fosmidomycin; fusidanes; hexamine; lincosamides; macrolides; mupirocin; nitrofurans; nitroimidazoles; penicillins; peptides; quinolones; rifamycins; sulponamides; tetracyclines; mode of action; bacterial resistance. (2) Treatment; general principles; immunocompromised host; infective endocarditis; septicaemia; respiratory tract; meningitis; alimentary tract; bacterial skin; urinary tract; obstetrics; sexually transmitted diseases; eye; tuberculosis and leprosy; renal failure; chemoprophylaxis. In dealing with each drug the chapter gives its structure; antimicrobial activity; acquired resistance; pharmacokinetics; toxicity and side effects; clinical use; preparations and dosage; references. A very useful book.

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