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The chemical structure of proteins
522
BOOK
REVIEWS
hormones upon various experimental infections. It is of considerable interest to observe the large areas of agreement of the authors who contributed to the volume, and one is impressed thereby with the sturdy validity of the results. Perhaps some of the conclusions may be briefly summa rized as follows : 1. The 11-oxy and hydroxycorticosteroids exercise a depressing and lytic effect upon lymphocytes and plasma cells, probably with the aid of a cofactor. The authors suggest that these cells are particularly susceptible to the influence of the steroid hormones, since their destruction results in the liberation of nucleic acids and their split products essential for energy production and gluconeogenesis. In addition, the plasma cells, at least in some species, are a rich source of antibodies and other r-globulins. 2. Compounds E and F retard inflammation and repair. Although this effect is universal, its degree is dependent upon a variety of factors, such as the species of animal employed, the state of nutrition, and the dosage of hormone administered. There is some difference of opinion as to whether these hormones influence wound healing by interfering with inflammatory cellular infiltration, edema, and change in collagen, or by inhibiting the formation of new fibroblasts. Although most investigators are inclined to believe that the adrenal steroids influence both phases of the repair process, the authors conclude that these fractions exercise an effect only on the latter. 3. Both cortisone and ACTH inhibit antibody production during active immunization and after immunization is established. This effect is probably achieved through inhibition of antibody synthesis and by blocking the processes associated with assimilation of the antigen. Experimental allergic reactions and the release of histamine and histamine-like substances are not inhibited by these agents, nor do they interfere with the union of antigen and available antibody. The beneficent clinical effects of cortisone and ACTH in allergic states is probably elicited through their blocking effect on the inflammatory phase of the allergic reaction. 4. Studies dealing with the influence of cortisone and ACTH on experimental tuberculosis, syphilis, trypanosomasis, bacterial and viral infections including influenza and poliomyelitis, and malarial infections, all confirm the enhancing effect (particularly of cortisone) on the dissemination of the infection; they also show an increased susceptibility of the experimental animal to the infection. This is probably the result of a variety of factors, such as the inhibition of the normal inflammatory reaction, the interference with formation of antibodies, and the blocking of the function of the reticula-endothelial system. A good deal of the experimental data presented in this symposium has been published previously, but a considerable amount is new. All in all, this monograph represents the best summary of this phase of the effects of the adrenal steroids yet available. It is highly recommended for all investigators interested in this field. LOUIS J. SOFFER, New York, New York
The Chemical Structure of Proteins. Edited for the Ciba Foundation by G. E. and MARGARET P. CAMERON. Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1954. xii + 222 pp. Price $6.00. W. WOLSTENEOLME
BOOK
REVIEWS
523
On December l-3, 1952, 34 scientists interested in the chemical structure of proteins participated in a conference on this subject in London. The topics discussed are indicated by the titles of the principal talks: The importance and use of suitable fractionation procedures for structural studies with proteins, L. C. Craig; Chromatographic purification of ribonuclease and lysozyme, W. H. Stein; The partition chromatography of proteins, with particular reference to insulin and glucagon, R. R. Porter; Peptides of ordinary tissues, R. L. M. Synge; On the terminal residues of chymotrypsinogen, chymotrypsins, trypsinogen and trypsin, P. Desnuelle; Identification and estimation of the amide and C-terminal residues in insulin by reduction of the ester with lithium borohydride, A. C. Chibnall and M. W. Rees; Identification of C-end groups in proteins by reduction with lithium aluminum hydride, C. Fromageot and M. Jut&z; Selective cleavage of peptides, P. Edman; Phenylisothiocyanate as a reagent for the identification of the terminal amino acids, H. Fraenkel-Conrat ; Specificity of certain peptidases and their use in the study of peptide and protein structure, E. L. Smith; Acyl migration in the study of protein structure, D. F. Elliott; Degradation of peptides from the amino and carboxyl ends, F. Turba; Protamines and nucleoprotamines, K. Felix; Fractionation of pepsin-catalyzed hydrolyzates of crystalbumin, P. Boulanger and G. Biserte; Some experiments on the chromatographic separation and identificatioh of peptides in partial hydrolyzates of gelatin, W. A. Schroeder; Electron optical and chemical studies on the structure of collagen, W. Graasmann. The papers are presented in this book, together with a report of the discussion of them. The book thus provides a valuable up-to-date summary of developments in this important field, in which great progress is being made. It is likely that anyone who is interested in the chemistry of amino acids, peptides, and proteins would learn something of value from reading the book. LINUS PAIJLINCJ,Pasadena, California
Industrial Fermentations. By LELAND A. UNDERHOFLER, Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor, Chemistry Department, Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa; and RICHARD J. HICKEY, Ph.D., Research Microbiological Chemist, Commercial Solvents Corp., Terre Haute, Indiana. Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., New York 1954. x + 565 pp. Price : $12.99. The editors, together with a number of experts, have presented a valuable textbook. Investigators outside of industrial practice will also find that the book offers information of interest. In many cases the fermentation processes represent transformations of food or feed materials into different substances with special characteristics frequently more valuable than the raw materials. This is true especially if wastes are used as raw materials. Pertinent data as well as statistical information are presented in clear and usable form and constitute valuable data for a number of problems in biology. Representative chapters in this category are those by W. H. Stark on “Alcoholic Fermentation of Grain” and by Hodge and Hildebrandt on “Alcoholic Fermentation of Molasses.” The description of the basic theories of industrial brewery, by Tenney; and the production of table and dessert wines, by Joslyn and Turbovsky; as well as the manufacture of yeast, by R. Irvin; and
BOOK
REVIEWS
hormones upon various experimental infections. It is of considerable interest to observe the large areas of agreement of the authors who contributed to the volume, and one is impressed thereby with the sturdy validity of the results. Perhaps some of the conclusions may be briefly summa rized as follows : 1. The 11-oxy and hydroxycorticosteroids exercise a depressing and lytic effect upon lymphocytes and plasma cells, probably with the aid of a cofactor. The authors suggest that these cells are particularly susceptible to the influence of the steroid hormones, since their destruction results in the liberation of nucleic acids and their split products essential for energy production and gluconeogenesis. In addition, the plasma cells, at least in some species, are a rich source of antibodies and other r-globulins. 2. Compounds E and F retard inflammation and repair. Although this effect is universal, its degree is dependent upon a variety of factors, such as the species of animal employed, the state of nutrition, and the dosage of hormone administered. There is some difference of opinion as to whether these hormones influence wound healing by interfering with inflammatory cellular infiltration, edema, and change in collagen, or by inhibiting the formation of new fibroblasts. Although most investigators are inclined to believe that the adrenal steroids influence both phases of the repair process, the authors conclude that these fractions exercise an effect only on the latter. 3. Both cortisone and ACTH inhibit antibody production during active immunization and after immunization is established. This effect is probably achieved through inhibition of antibody synthesis and by blocking the processes associated with assimilation of the antigen. Experimental allergic reactions and the release of histamine and histamine-like substances are not inhibited by these agents, nor do they interfere with the union of antigen and available antibody. The beneficent clinical effects of cortisone and ACTH in allergic states is probably elicited through their blocking effect on the inflammatory phase of the allergic reaction. 4. Studies dealing with the influence of cortisone and ACTH on experimental tuberculosis, syphilis, trypanosomasis, bacterial and viral infections including influenza and poliomyelitis, and malarial infections, all confirm the enhancing effect (particularly of cortisone) on the dissemination of the infection; they also show an increased susceptibility of the experimental animal to the infection. This is probably the result of a variety of factors, such as the inhibition of the normal inflammatory reaction, the interference with formation of antibodies, and the blocking of the function of the reticula-endothelial system. A good deal of the experimental data presented in this symposium has been published previously, but a considerable amount is new. All in all, this monograph represents the best summary of this phase of the effects of the adrenal steroids yet available. It is highly recommended for all investigators interested in this field. LOUIS J. SOFFER, New York, New York
The Chemical Structure of Proteins. Edited for the Ciba Foundation by G. E. and MARGARET P. CAMERON. Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1954. xii + 222 pp. Price $6.00. W. WOLSTENEOLME
BOOK
REVIEWS
523
On December l-3, 1952, 34 scientists interested in the chemical structure of proteins participated in a conference on this subject in London. The topics discussed are indicated by the titles of the principal talks: The importance and use of suitable fractionation procedures for structural studies with proteins, L. C. Craig; Chromatographic purification of ribonuclease and lysozyme, W. H. Stein; The partition chromatography of proteins, with particular reference to insulin and glucagon, R. R. Porter; Peptides of ordinary tissues, R. L. M. Synge; On the terminal residues of chymotrypsinogen, chymotrypsins, trypsinogen and trypsin, P. Desnuelle; Identification and estimation of the amide and C-terminal residues in insulin by reduction of the ester with lithium borohydride, A. C. Chibnall and M. W. Rees; Identification of C-end groups in proteins by reduction with lithium aluminum hydride, C. Fromageot and M. Jut&z; Selective cleavage of peptides, P. Edman; Phenylisothiocyanate as a reagent for the identification of the terminal amino acids, H. Fraenkel-Conrat ; Specificity of certain peptidases and their use in the study of peptide and protein structure, E. L. Smith; Acyl migration in the study of protein structure, D. F. Elliott; Degradation of peptides from the amino and carboxyl ends, F. Turba; Protamines and nucleoprotamines, K. Felix; Fractionation of pepsin-catalyzed hydrolyzates of crystalbumin, P. Boulanger and G. Biserte; Some experiments on the chromatographic separation and identificatioh of peptides in partial hydrolyzates of gelatin, W. A. Schroeder; Electron optical and chemical studies on the structure of collagen, W. Graasmann. The papers are presented in this book, together with a report of the discussion of them. The book thus provides a valuable up-to-date summary of developments in this important field, in which great progress is being made. It is likely that anyone who is interested in the chemistry of amino acids, peptides, and proteins would learn something of value from reading the book. LINUS PAIJLINCJ,Pasadena, California
Industrial Fermentations. By LELAND A. UNDERHOFLER, Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor, Chemistry Department, Iowa State College, Ames, Iowa; and RICHARD J. HICKEY, Ph.D., Research Microbiological Chemist, Commercial Solvents Corp., Terre Haute, Indiana. Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., New York 1954. x + 565 pp. Price : $12.99. The editors, together with a number of experts, have presented a valuable textbook. Investigators outside of industrial practice will also find that the book offers information of interest. In many cases the fermentation processes represent transformations of food or feed materials into different substances with special characteristics frequently more valuable than the raw materials. This is true especially if wastes are used as raw materials. Pertinent data as well as statistical information are presented in clear and usable form and constitute valuable data for a number of problems in biology. Representative chapters in this category are those by W. H. Stark on “Alcoholic Fermentation of Grain” and by Hodge and Hildebrandt on “Alcoholic Fermentation of Molasses.” The description of the basic theories of industrial brewery, by Tenney; and the production of table and dessert wines, by Joslyn and Turbovsky; as well as the manufacture of yeast, by R. Irvin; and