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The molecular mechanism of photoreception
Vol. 19. No. 12. p. 1241. 1987 Printed tn Great Britain. All rights reserved
0020-711X 87 $3.00 +0.00 Copyright C" 1987 Pergamon Journals Ltd
Int. J. Bmchem.
BOOK REVIEWS The Molecular Mechanism of Photoreception--Edited by H. Sl"m~. 506 pp. 1986. Springer. Berlin. DM 98. Dahlem Conference Life Science Research Report Vol. 34. The conference was held in Berlin November 1984 and the published volume contains much that will interest readers in the physiology and biochemistry of phototransduction. Nearly 100 man years has gone into the elucidation of the structure of opsin. The sequences of bovine, ovine, equine, porcine and chicken rhodopsins show remarkable conservation of structure with variations accounting for only 3-5% of the molecule. All the visual light receptors are structurally related and conform to a general 3D pattern even though the linear sequence of amino acids show more variation with regard to cone proteins and differ substantially from the primary structure of invertebrate polypeptides. The visual system has developed a series of amplifying or cascade factors that enable one photon to produce a change in the rod membrane potential. These stages involve rbodopsin, transducing, a 48 K dalton factor. cGMP phophodiesterase and an inhibitor, and ATP dependent kinase. These ultimately reduce sodium entry into the rtxt and produce the change in potential. These factors and the role of calcium, are discussed in detail in this volume together with group reports on triggering and amplification, internal messengers, light sensitive channels, pumps and carriers, and adaptation. The volume will be ofgreat interest to all studying transduction across membranes. Blotechnology: Potentials and IJmltatlons--Editcd by S. SILVER. 312 pp. 1986. Springcr. Berlin. DM 68. Dahlem Conference Life Sciences Research Report Vol. 35. The topics dealt with are as follows; cloning and cxprcssing genes for clinically useful proteins; synthetic genes; protein engineering; microbiology and industrial products; vaccines, the synthetic antigen approach; recombinant poxviruses; immunological techniques: plant gene engineering and agriculture: plant-microbe interaction: production and utilization of lignocellulosc: social and ethical considerations for biotechnology. The volume provides a good summary of the present state of genetic engineering in the production of insulin, interferon, vaccines, hybridoma produced anti-
bodies, and indicates the problem that are still yet to be overcome. Methods of Drug Defivery--Edited by G. M. IHLER. 305 pp. 1986. Pergamon Press. Oxford. $86. International Encyclopedia of Pharmacology & Therapeutics Vol. 120. New methods are being devised to deliver drugs to specific parts of the body. |n some cases these can overcome the blood brain barrier: digestion in the GI tract; detoxication by the liver: have a controlled release rate and be effective in lower total dose. Equally important the specific method of delivering a drug may be patentable even if the drug is out of patent protection or a generic drug. The topics dealt with in this multi author volume are as follows: erythrocyte carriers: solid microspbere; magnetic microspheres; enzyme protein conjugates: liposomes; targeting antibody conjugates: implantable controlled release systems: specific delivery of drugs to the respiratory system, brain, eye, neoplasms, lymphoid cells and lysosomes. The chapters are well written and provide a good survey of a new and important subject. Inhalation Toxicology: Rt.'search Methods, Applications and Evaluatlon-Editcd by J. S/~I.I!M.453 pp. 1987. Marcel Dckkcr. N e w York ($79.75 U.S.A./Canada). $95.50. M;,ny chemicals arc casily absorbed into the body through the lungs. These include bronchodilators, drugs, alcohol, organic solvents (glue snilllng), smokes, and particulates. The topics discussed in this multi author volume arc: principles of inhal,'ltion toxicology; factors influencing toxicology test article administration; dcsigns of inhalation cquipmcnt; nose-only exposure and intratracheal injection; respiratory and bronchomotor rcflcxcs; physiological measurement following inhalation; toxicokinetics; lung exposure; immunotoxicology of inhalenls; pulmonary responses to irritants; use of pigs as an animal model in inhalation toxicology; rcgulatory requiremcnts; good laboratory practiccs. This book will be of interest to all those working in areas of high solvent density, those wishing to administer drugs by inhalation, and people still interested in breathing fresh air.
1241
0020-711X 87 $3.00 +0.00 Copyright C" 1987 Pergamon Journals Ltd
Int. J. Bmchem.
BOOK REVIEWS The Molecular Mechanism of Photoreception--Edited by H. Sl"m~. 506 pp. 1986. Springer. Berlin. DM 98. Dahlem Conference Life Science Research Report Vol. 34. The conference was held in Berlin November 1984 and the published volume contains much that will interest readers in the physiology and biochemistry of phototransduction. Nearly 100 man years has gone into the elucidation of the structure of opsin. The sequences of bovine, ovine, equine, porcine and chicken rhodopsins show remarkable conservation of structure with variations accounting for only 3-5% of the molecule. All the visual light receptors are structurally related and conform to a general 3D pattern even though the linear sequence of amino acids show more variation with regard to cone proteins and differ substantially from the primary structure of invertebrate polypeptides. The visual system has developed a series of amplifying or cascade factors that enable one photon to produce a change in the rod membrane potential. These stages involve rbodopsin, transducing, a 48 K dalton factor. cGMP phophodiesterase and an inhibitor, and ATP dependent kinase. These ultimately reduce sodium entry into the rtxt and produce the change in potential. These factors and the role of calcium, are discussed in detail in this volume together with group reports on triggering and amplification, internal messengers, light sensitive channels, pumps and carriers, and adaptation. The volume will be ofgreat interest to all studying transduction across membranes. Blotechnology: Potentials and IJmltatlons--Editcd by S. SILVER. 312 pp. 1986. Springcr. Berlin. DM 68. Dahlem Conference Life Sciences Research Report Vol. 35. The topics dealt with are as follows; cloning and cxprcssing genes for clinically useful proteins; synthetic genes; protein engineering; microbiology and industrial products; vaccines, the synthetic antigen approach; recombinant poxviruses; immunological techniques: plant gene engineering and agriculture: plant-microbe interaction: production and utilization of lignocellulosc: social and ethical considerations for biotechnology. The volume provides a good summary of the present state of genetic engineering in the production of insulin, interferon, vaccines, hybridoma produced anti-
bodies, and indicates the problem that are still yet to be overcome. Methods of Drug Defivery--Edited by G. M. IHLER. 305 pp. 1986. Pergamon Press. Oxford. $86. International Encyclopedia of Pharmacology & Therapeutics Vol. 120. New methods are being devised to deliver drugs to specific parts of the body. |n some cases these can overcome the blood brain barrier: digestion in the GI tract; detoxication by the liver: have a controlled release rate and be effective in lower total dose. Equally important the specific method of delivering a drug may be patentable even if the drug is out of patent protection or a generic drug. The topics dealt with in this multi author volume are as follows: erythrocyte carriers: solid microspbere; magnetic microspheres; enzyme protein conjugates: liposomes; targeting antibody conjugates: implantable controlled release systems: specific delivery of drugs to the respiratory system, brain, eye, neoplasms, lymphoid cells and lysosomes. The chapters are well written and provide a good survey of a new and important subject. Inhalation Toxicology: Rt.'search Methods, Applications and Evaluatlon-Editcd by J. S/~I.I!M.453 pp. 1987. Marcel Dckkcr. N e w York ($79.75 U.S.A./Canada). $95.50. M;,ny chemicals arc casily absorbed into the body through the lungs. These include bronchodilators, drugs, alcohol, organic solvents (glue snilllng), smokes, and particulates. The topics discussed in this multi author volume arc: principles of inhal,'ltion toxicology; factors influencing toxicology test article administration; dcsigns of inhalation cquipmcnt; nose-only exposure and intratracheal injection; respiratory and bronchomotor rcflcxcs; physiological measurement following inhalation; toxicokinetics; lung exposure; immunotoxicology of inhalenls; pulmonary responses to irritants; use of pigs as an animal model in inhalation toxicology; rcgulatory requiremcnts; good laboratory practiccs. This book will be of interest to all those working in areas of high solvent density, those wishing to administer drugs by inhalation, and people still interested in breathing fresh air.
1241