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The tetracyclines—Handbook of experimental pharmacology
Int. J. f?io&em. Vol. 18, No. 12, p. IISS, 1986 Pergamon Journals Ltd. Printed in Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS
The Tetracyclinew-Edited by J. J. HLAVKA and J. H. BOOTHE.Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Vol. 78, 451 pp. 1985. Springer, Berlin. $175.
Alpha-Fetoprotein and Congenital Disorders-Edited by G. J. MIZUEWSKI and I. H. PORTER.363 pp. 1985. Academic Press, Orlando. $35.
The search for new antibiotics after the discovery of penicillin led to chlo~e~racycline (Aureomy~n), oxytetracycline, rondomycin, doxycycline, and mincycline. These tetracyclines (T) have a wider spectrum of activity, were easily absorbed from the stomach and upper small intestine, provided clinically useful antibiotic blood levels for longer periods of time, and could be used at lower dose levels to provide the same therapeutic effect. T was especially useful for infections due to Paste~rellu pestis, P. t~l~rensi~, P. muttocida, Borrelia recurrentis, Shigella and Chlamydia. This multi-author volume has chapters on fermentation and mutational development of T; structure determination and total synthesis of T; biosynthesis of T; chemical modification of T; mode of action of T and nature of bacterial resistance to them; clinical uses of T; nonmedical uses of T. T acts by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by inhibiting binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosomal A site. A secondary effect is to inhibit reactions at the P-site and affect polypeptide initiation. A single tight binding of T per 70s ribosomal A site is sufficient to bring about inhibition and a higher concentration of T will bring about inhibition of other ribosomal functions. This book provides an excellent account of what is known about these important antibiotics.
Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) has a molecular weight of 64,000 and an amino acid sequence with 50% homology with serum albumin. It is present in high concentrations in the serum of premature and new born infants (being 5000 times higher than in the adult) and drops to the adult level 6-8 months after birth. Neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly are major abnormalities that are now detectable at an early stage by the elevated AFP in the amniotic fluid. Often the mother also has an elevated AFP in her serum. The present multi-author volume surveys the screening systems for AFP and the results obtained. It also discusses the factors controlling the synthesis and levels of AFP.
Steroid-Protein Interactions II-ULRICH WESTPHAL. Monographs in Endocrinology, Vol. 27. 603 pp. 1986. Springer, Berlin. DM 320. Volume I appeared in I971 and in the inte~ening IS years there have been considerable developments in understanding steroid protein binding and interaction. A range of specific proteins such as corticosteroid binding globulin, progesterone binding globulin, sex steroid binding protein, androgen binding protein, prostatic steroid binding protein. a-fetoglobin, uteroglobin, a-acidic glycoprotein, vitamin D and secosteroid binding protein, have been identified and their roles determined. Dr Westphal has made major contributions to the study of steroid protein binding. His monograph provides a very readable, interesting and learned account of the subject and will be a classic volume for many years to come.
Prolaetin; Basic and Clinics1 Correlates-Edited
by R. M. Fidia Research Series, Vol. 1. 859 pp. 1985. Springer, Berlin. $98.50. MACLEOD, U.
SCAPAGNINI and M.
0.
THORNER.
This is the proceedings of the 4th International Congress on Prolactin. The papers are grouped under the following headings: Functional ultrastructur~ of the prolactin celis; influence of brain factors on prolactin secretion; intracellular pituitary mechanisms regulating prolactin; modification of prolactin by steroids; target cell function and peripheral receptors; comparative aspects of prolactin production and function; physiological relevance of pituitary and non-pituitary prolactins; neurochemical components and prolactin; experimental and clinical effects of prolactin behaviour and brain function; pathogenesis of prolactinomas; clinical and therapeutic aspects or hyperprolactinemia. Prolactin, a polypeptide with 197 residues, whose genomic structure is known, induces milk synthesis. Prolactin can also induce nest building behaviour in rats, stimulates somatic growth and feeding, can affect learning behaviour, and increases grooming; some of these effects being via the dopaminergic path to the nucleus accumbens. This well produced volume provides an excellent detailed account of the current research work being carried out on Prolactin.
1155
BOOK REVIEWS
The Tetracyclinew-Edited by J. J. HLAVKA and J. H. BOOTHE.Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Vol. 78, 451 pp. 1985. Springer, Berlin. $175.
Alpha-Fetoprotein and Congenital Disorders-Edited by G. J. MIZUEWSKI and I. H. PORTER.363 pp. 1985. Academic Press, Orlando. $35.
The search for new antibiotics after the discovery of penicillin led to chlo~e~racycline (Aureomy~n), oxytetracycline, rondomycin, doxycycline, and mincycline. These tetracyclines (T) have a wider spectrum of activity, were easily absorbed from the stomach and upper small intestine, provided clinically useful antibiotic blood levels for longer periods of time, and could be used at lower dose levels to provide the same therapeutic effect. T was especially useful for infections due to Paste~rellu pestis, P. t~l~rensi~, P. muttocida, Borrelia recurrentis, Shigella and Chlamydia. This multi-author volume has chapters on fermentation and mutational development of T; structure determination and total synthesis of T; biosynthesis of T; chemical modification of T; mode of action of T and nature of bacterial resistance to them; clinical uses of T; nonmedical uses of T. T acts by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by inhibiting binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosomal A site. A secondary effect is to inhibit reactions at the P-site and affect polypeptide initiation. A single tight binding of T per 70s ribosomal A site is sufficient to bring about inhibition and a higher concentration of T will bring about inhibition of other ribosomal functions. This book provides an excellent account of what is known about these important antibiotics.
Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) has a molecular weight of 64,000 and an amino acid sequence with 50% homology with serum albumin. It is present in high concentrations in the serum of premature and new born infants (being 5000 times higher than in the adult) and drops to the adult level 6-8 months after birth. Neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly are major abnormalities that are now detectable at an early stage by the elevated AFP in the amniotic fluid. Often the mother also has an elevated AFP in her serum. The present multi-author volume surveys the screening systems for AFP and the results obtained. It also discusses the factors controlling the synthesis and levels of AFP.
Steroid-Protein Interactions II-ULRICH WESTPHAL. Monographs in Endocrinology, Vol. 27. 603 pp. 1986. Springer, Berlin. DM 320. Volume I appeared in I971 and in the inte~ening IS years there have been considerable developments in understanding steroid protein binding and interaction. A range of specific proteins such as corticosteroid binding globulin, progesterone binding globulin, sex steroid binding protein, androgen binding protein, prostatic steroid binding protein. a-fetoglobin, uteroglobin, a-acidic glycoprotein, vitamin D and secosteroid binding protein, have been identified and their roles determined. Dr Westphal has made major contributions to the study of steroid protein binding. His monograph provides a very readable, interesting and learned account of the subject and will be a classic volume for many years to come.
Prolaetin; Basic and Clinics1 Correlates-Edited
by R. M. Fidia Research Series, Vol. 1. 859 pp. 1985. Springer, Berlin. $98.50. MACLEOD, U.
SCAPAGNINI and M.
0.
THORNER.
This is the proceedings of the 4th International Congress on Prolactin. The papers are grouped under the following headings: Functional ultrastructur~ of the prolactin celis; influence of brain factors on prolactin secretion; intracellular pituitary mechanisms regulating prolactin; modification of prolactin by steroids; target cell function and peripheral receptors; comparative aspects of prolactin production and function; physiological relevance of pituitary and non-pituitary prolactins; neurochemical components and prolactin; experimental and clinical effects of prolactin behaviour and brain function; pathogenesis of prolactinomas; clinical and therapeutic aspects or hyperprolactinemia. Prolactin, a polypeptide with 197 residues, whose genomic structure is known, induces milk synthesis. Prolactin can also induce nest building behaviour in rats, stimulates somatic growth and feeding, can affect learning behaviour, and increases grooming; some of these effects being via the dopaminergic path to the nucleus accumbens. This well produced volume provides an excellent detailed account of the current research work being carried out on Prolactin.
1155