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Techniques in immunocytochemistry
ANALYTICALBIOCHEMISTRY
156,521-523(1986)
BOOK
REVIEWS
Modern Methods of Plant Analysis. New Series, Vol. 1, Cell Components. Edited by H. F. LINSKENS AND J. F. JACKSON, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York/Tokyo, 1985. 399 pp., 96 figures. $69.50. This new series is replacing one of seven volumes that were issued between 1956 and 1964. There is no fully comparable volume in the old series. This book deals largely with methods for isolation and characterization of most of the structural elements of plant cells. It contains chapters by different authors on the following: cell walls (one on isolation and one on chemistry): protoplasts: use of markers; plasma membranes; vacuoles: protein bodies: lipid bodies: plastids (five articles on chloroplasts as a whole, inner and outer envelope membranes. ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase, isolation and subfractionation of thylakoids. nongreen plastids); mitochondria; endoplasmic reticulum; polyribosomes: nucleus: and microtubles. A notable omission is the lack of a chapter on microbodies. The volume emphasizes structures (e.g.. cell walls and plastids. representing 7 of I8 chapters). and problems (e.g., cell wails and phenols) peculiar to plants, as it should. Most chapters give information on function and structure of the component treated: a detailed description and thorough review of isolation procedures; evaluation of the various methodologies that have been used: discussion of specific problems involved in isolation of the structure: and a discussion of markers and criteria of purity. The
Techniques in Immunocytochemistry, G.R. BULLOCKANDP.PETRUSZ, lando. Fla.. 1985. $46.00.
Vol. 3. Edited by Academic Press,Or-
chapters are excellently referenced, providing the investigator with a good lead to the literature. The illustrations are numerous, clear, and helpful, and the quality of the halftones is superb. However, the volume is poorly indexed. Although most chapters are excellent, the one on plasma membranes is particularly noteworthy because of its clear presentation to the general reader of the use of aqueous phase partitioning for the purification of a subcellular structure, a powerful technique that is experiencing increasing application. Generally, each chapter is broadly applicable. One exception is that on mitochondria which is too narrowly oriented toward isolation for the preparation of mitochondrial DNA. The chapter on purification of inner and outer chloroplast envelope membranes. although excellent, should have covered the isolation of the envelope ill loto as well. The chapter on polyribosomes is also excellent. but too narrow; it should have dealt with ribosomes more broadly or, if necessary, another chapter should have been added to accomplish this. In spite of the noted deficiencies. the chapters are generally excellent, and the volume as a whole is very good. This volume should be on the shelves of all libraries where there are plant physiologists and plant biochemists. It is sufficiently comprehensive to be recommended for personal libraries of those who expect to use isolated plant subcellular structures in their investigations. MAURICE
M. MARGULIES
my own prejudice that lack of immunocytochemical labeling after glutaraldehyde fixation is generally caused by inaccessiability of protein antigens, rather than a chemical alteration of antigenic structure. This is clearly demonstrated by results with antigen WR 19M in which reactivity initially increases, rather than decreases, as glutaraldehyde concentration is increased. The authors make the important point that alteration of antigenic reactivity with glutaraldehyde should be expected only for those proteins that have large numbers of lysine residues near a particular antigenic site, and these effects will be found mainly using monoclonal or single-site antisynthetic peptide antibodies rather than polyclonal antisera. Excellent chapters follow on the use of an alkaline phosphatase monoclonal antibody bridge labeling procedure, localization of estradiol receptors, immunoblotting. localization of regulatory peptides. and cytophotometry. An especially good practical chapter by Mangeat and Burridge summarizes techniques for microinjection and immunofluorescence in cell culture. The last three chapters all deal with different aspects of the use
This is the third in a series of monographs on immunocytochemical techniques. This type of series often includes methodological papers of obscure interest to the general readership, usually dealing with specific experimental results reported long ago; in this respect, this series, and especially this volume, is a breath of fresh air. The individual articles are timely and well presented, and the techniques described are of great current interest. The generous use of color plates and well-reproduced halftones makes this volume a joy to peruse. The first chapter (Leenen, Jansen, and van Ewijk) deals with the old notion of glutaraldehyde fixation “destroying” antigenic structure of proteins through chemical modification, and comes to the conclusion that, in general, that idea is incorrect; I particularly like this well-documented first chapter dealing with surface antigens, as it confirms 521
0003-2697/86
$3.00
Copyright 0 1986 by Academic Press. Inc. All rights of repnxluctmn in any form resewed.
522
BOOK
REVIEWS
of colloidal gold labeling and are written by pioneers in this field of histochemistry (Horisberger, Bendayan, Lucocq, and Roth). From an immunocytochemist’s point of view, these three chapters can only be described as “beautiful”; the micrographs are superb and the technical details are first-rate. My only suggestion to the publisher would be to include the Table of Contents of previous volumes
in the front of this volume. since the reader may not bc aware of similarly pertinent contributions in earlier volumes of this series, In any event. this volume is a valuable addition to the collection of anyone interested in immunocytochemical techniques.
Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 118, Plant Molecular Biology. Edited by A. WEISSBACH AND H. WEISSBACH, Academic Press, Orlando. Fla., 1986. 829 pp. $83.00.
high standards for which Methods in Enzymology has become known. There is an author index to the articles and cited works. Citations are provided as footnotes. which is standard for the series, but more difficult for me to use than having a separate Reference section at the end of the article. There is also an adequate subject index. Illustrations are numerous, and the reproduction of continuous-tone figures is good. All sections fit into the area of molecular biology in the narrow sense. except for the section on cell wall and membranes. Although the articles in this section are excellent, the reason for their inclusion is not clear since articles on similar structures-plant microbodies, lipid and protein inclusions. endoplasmic reticulum-are not presented. It was surprising to tind that the articles on cytoplasmic protein synthesis dealt only with the wheat germ system although it is the most intensively used plant protein synthesis system. The areas of cell culture. cell transformation, plant regeneration from undifferentiated cultures, and the various aspects of plant virology are covered well in comparatively few articles: despite the extensive literature in each of these areas, chloroplasts have received disproportionally greater coverage. Plant Molecular Biology will be extremely useful for all bench scientists. from graduate students on. who want to work in an area of plant molecular biology. MAURICE M. MARGULIES
This is the most recent addition to that infmitely expandable and useful series which has become a necessity for biochemists, indeed for all biologists. This volume is divided into nine sections (number of articles in parenthesis): Cell Wall and Membrane (2): Nucleus (4): Cytoplasmic Protein Synthesis (4): Chloroplast (19): Mitochondria (6): Nitrogen Metabolism (3); Cell Culture and Transformation (5); Gene Transfer (4): and Virology (7). The emphasis is on those structures, aspects, and methodologies peculiar to. or peculiarly applicable to, plants. The section on chloroplasts has subsections on genome structure (2); transcription-translation (8): photosynthetic systems (6); and RuDP carboxylase (3). The articles follow the usual format for the Methods in Enzymology series: a brief introduction, a brief rationale or description of the procedures to be covered (sometimes scattered through the text), description of reagents. and description of procedures. The last is provided in very great detail. with many cautions aimed at enabling the reader to carry out the procedures successfully. The results are invaluable since the articles standardly cover procedures as applied by the authors in their own laboratories. The individual articles presented here conform to the usual
Briefly
MARK
C. WILLINGHAM
Noted
Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 122. Vitamins and Coenzymes Edited by FRANK CHYTII. AND DAVID B. MCCORMICK (S. P. COLOWICK AND N. 0. KAPLAN, Series Eds.). Academic Press, Orlando. 1986. 456 pp. $63.50.
scribed are means of assay, separation and purification enzymes. as well as a number of tangential subjects.
of
Volume 122 is the seventh one on vitamins and coenrymes. Its main emphasis, about 170 pages, is on the pteridines and their coenzyme derivatives. Methods for ascorbate. thiamine. CoA, biotin. the B6 group. nicotinic acid, and flavins are covered in a total of 250 pages. De-
A detailed summary of the preparation, properties. and reactions of ubiquinone and some of its analogs is presented here. The material ranges from analytical and kinetic approaches to the physiological role of the coenzyme in the respiratory complex. and a description of CoQ mutants
Coenzyme Q: Biochemistry, Bioenergetics and Clinical Applications of Uhiquinone. Edited by G. LENAZ. Wiley. Chichester. 1985. 5 17 pp. $89.95.
156,521-523(1986)
BOOK
REVIEWS
Modern Methods of Plant Analysis. New Series, Vol. 1, Cell Components. Edited by H. F. LINSKENS AND J. F. JACKSON, Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg/New York/Tokyo, 1985. 399 pp., 96 figures. $69.50. This new series is replacing one of seven volumes that were issued between 1956 and 1964. There is no fully comparable volume in the old series. This book deals largely with methods for isolation and characterization of most of the structural elements of plant cells. It contains chapters by different authors on the following: cell walls (one on isolation and one on chemistry): protoplasts: use of markers; plasma membranes; vacuoles: protein bodies: lipid bodies: plastids (five articles on chloroplasts as a whole, inner and outer envelope membranes. ribulosebisphosphate carboxylase, isolation and subfractionation of thylakoids. nongreen plastids); mitochondria; endoplasmic reticulum; polyribosomes: nucleus: and microtubles. A notable omission is the lack of a chapter on microbodies. The volume emphasizes structures (e.g.. cell walls and plastids. representing 7 of I8 chapters). and problems (e.g., cell wails and phenols) peculiar to plants, as it should. Most chapters give information on function and structure of the component treated: a detailed description and thorough review of isolation procedures; evaluation of the various methodologies that have been used: discussion of specific problems involved in isolation of the structure: and a discussion of markers and criteria of purity. The
Techniques in Immunocytochemistry, G.R. BULLOCKANDP.PETRUSZ, lando. Fla.. 1985. $46.00.
Vol. 3. Edited by Academic Press,Or-
chapters are excellently referenced, providing the investigator with a good lead to the literature. The illustrations are numerous, clear, and helpful, and the quality of the halftones is superb. However, the volume is poorly indexed. Although most chapters are excellent, the one on plasma membranes is particularly noteworthy because of its clear presentation to the general reader of the use of aqueous phase partitioning for the purification of a subcellular structure, a powerful technique that is experiencing increasing application. Generally, each chapter is broadly applicable. One exception is that on mitochondria which is too narrowly oriented toward isolation for the preparation of mitochondrial DNA. The chapter on purification of inner and outer chloroplast envelope membranes. although excellent, should have covered the isolation of the envelope ill loto as well. The chapter on polyribosomes is also excellent. but too narrow; it should have dealt with ribosomes more broadly or, if necessary, another chapter should have been added to accomplish this. In spite of the noted deficiencies. the chapters are generally excellent, and the volume as a whole is very good. This volume should be on the shelves of all libraries where there are plant physiologists and plant biochemists. It is sufficiently comprehensive to be recommended for personal libraries of those who expect to use isolated plant subcellular structures in their investigations. MAURICE
M. MARGULIES
my own prejudice that lack of immunocytochemical labeling after glutaraldehyde fixation is generally caused by inaccessiability of protein antigens, rather than a chemical alteration of antigenic structure. This is clearly demonstrated by results with antigen WR 19M in which reactivity initially increases, rather than decreases, as glutaraldehyde concentration is increased. The authors make the important point that alteration of antigenic reactivity with glutaraldehyde should be expected only for those proteins that have large numbers of lysine residues near a particular antigenic site, and these effects will be found mainly using monoclonal or single-site antisynthetic peptide antibodies rather than polyclonal antisera. Excellent chapters follow on the use of an alkaline phosphatase monoclonal antibody bridge labeling procedure, localization of estradiol receptors, immunoblotting. localization of regulatory peptides. and cytophotometry. An especially good practical chapter by Mangeat and Burridge summarizes techniques for microinjection and immunofluorescence in cell culture. The last three chapters all deal with different aspects of the use
This is the third in a series of monographs on immunocytochemical techniques. This type of series often includes methodological papers of obscure interest to the general readership, usually dealing with specific experimental results reported long ago; in this respect, this series, and especially this volume, is a breath of fresh air. The individual articles are timely and well presented, and the techniques described are of great current interest. The generous use of color plates and well-reproduced halftones makes this volume a joy to peruse. The first chapter (Leenen, Jansen, and van Ewijk) deals with the old notion of glutaraldehyde fixation “destroying” antigenic structure of proteins through chemical modification, and comes to the conclusion that, in general, that idea is incorrect; I particularly like this well-documented first chapter dealing with surface antigens, as it confirms 521
0003-2697/86
$3.00
Copyright 0 1986 by Academic Press. Inc. All rights of repnxluctmn in any form resewed.
522
BOOK
REVIEWS
of colloidal gold labeling and are written by pioneers in this field of histochemistry (Horisberger, Bendayan, Lucocq, and Roth). From an immunocytochemist’s point of view, these three chapters can only be described as “beautiful”; the micrographs are superb and the technical details are first-rate. My only suggestion to the publisher would be to include the Table of Contents of previous volumes
in the front of this volume. since the reader may not bc aware of similarly pertinent contributions in earlier volumes of this series, In any event. this volume is a valuable addition to the collection of anyone interested in immunocytochemical techniques.
Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 118, Plant Molecular Biology. Edited by A. WEISSBACH AND H. WEISSBACH, Academic Press, Orlando. Fla., 1986. 829 pp. $83.00.
high standards for which Methods in Enzymology has become known. There is an author index to the articles and cited works. Citations are provided as footnotes. which is standard for the series, but more difficult for me to use than having a separate Reference section at the end of the article. There is also an adequate subject index. Illustrations are numerous, and the reproduction of continuous-tone figures is good. All sections fit into the area of molecular biology in the narrow sense. except for the section on cell wall and membranes. Although the articles in this section are excellent, the reason for their inclusion is not clear since articles on similar structures-plant microbodies, lipid and protein inclusions. endoplasmic reticulum-are not presented. It was surprising to tind that the articles on cytoplasmic protein synthesis dealt only with the wheat germ system although it is the most intensively used plant protein synthesis system. The areas of cell culture. cell transformation, plant regeneration from undifferentiated cultures, and the various aspects of plant virology are covered well in comparatively few articles: despite the extensive literature in each of these areas, chloroplasts have received disproportionally greater coverage. Plant Molecular Biology will be extremely useful for all bench scientists. from graduate students on. who want to work in an area of plant molecular biology. MAURICE M. MARGULIES
This is the most recent addition to that infmitely expandable and useful series which has become a necessity for biochemists, indeed for all biologists. This volume is divided into nine sections (number of articles in parenthesis): Cell Wall and Membrane (2): Nucleus (4): Cytoplasmic Protein Synthesis (4): Chloroplast (19): Mitochondria (6): Nitrogen Metabolism (3); Cell Culture and Transformation (5); Gene Transfer (4): and Virology (7). The emphasis is on those structures, aspects, and methodologies peculiar to. or peculiarly applicable to, plants. The section on chloroplasts has subsections on genome structure (2); transcription-translation (8): photosynthetic systems (6); and RuDP carboxylase (3). The articles follow the usual format for the Methods in Enzymology series: a brief introduction, a brief rationale or description of the procedures to be covered (sometimes scattered through the text), description of reagents. and description of procedures. The last is provided in very great detail. with many cautions aimed at enabling the reader to carry out the procedures successfully. The results are invaluable since the articles standardly cover procedures as applied by the authors in their own laboratories. The individual articles presented here conform to the usual
Briefly
MARK
C. WILLINGHAM
Noted
Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 122. Vitamins and Coenzymes Edited by FRANK CHYTII. AND DAVID B. MCCORMICK (S. P. COLOWICK AND N. 0. KAPLAN, Series Eds.). Academic Press, Orlando. 1986. 456 pp. $63.50.
scribed are means of assay, separation and purification enzymes. as well as a number of tangential subjects.
of
Volume 122 is the seventh one on vitamins and coenrymes. Its main emphasis, about 170 pages, is on the pteridines and their coenzyme derivatives. Methods for ascorbate. thiamine. CoA, biotin. the B6 group. nicotinic acid, and flavins are covered in a total of 250 pages. De-
A detailed summary of the preparation, properties. and reactions of ubiquinone and some of its analogs is presented here. The material ranges from analytical and kinetic approaches to the physiological role of the coenzyme in the respiratory complex. and a description of CoQ mutants
Coenzyme Q: Biochemistry, Bioenergetics and Clinical Applications of Uhiquinone. Edited by G. LENAZ. Wiley. Chichester. 1985. 5 17 pp. $89.95.