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Trophic factors and the nervous system
644
Book Reviews
This book describes the remarkable development in the detection of inherited or acquired genetic mutations and covers the following main topics: --Exploration of the human genome; --Detection and analysis of human genetic diseases; --Steps toward gene therapy; - - D N A damage and repair; --New methods of DNA analysis. This volume would be of interest to clinicians and researchers working in the areas of human and molecular genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, public health and biotechnology. Trol~ie Factors and the Nervous System. Fidia Research Foundation Symposium Series, Vol. 3. Edited by L. A. Hoggocgs, N. H. NEFF, A. J. Y^~.S and M. H^DJZCONST^NTINOU.Published 1990 by Raven Press, New York. No. of pages: 376. ISBN: 0-88167-671-3. Price 1990: US$ 109.50. This volume presents the latest findings on the role of neurotrophic factors in the growth and development of the nervous system and the repair of neural tissue following injury. In-depth articles explore gangliosides, platelet-derived growth factor, heparin-binding growth factors, recombinant human nerve growth factor; the nerve growth factor receptor and its expression, receptors for gangliosides, and the effects of gangliosides on signal transduction; effects of nerve growth factor on PC12 cells, CNS cholinergic neurons, and cytoskeletal phosphoproteins, and effects of gangliosides on HL-60 leukemia cells; effects of trophic factors on energy depletion, calcium, and dopaminergic function, cholinergic function and recovery from ischemia. The book is divided into the following main sections: --Growth and trophic factors of neural origin; --Trophic factor receptors; --Post-receptor phenomena; --Neurite outgrowth and growth cones; --Neuronal regeneration and recovery of function. Many of the studies presented suggest new avenues of research on the role of neurotrophic factor deficiencies in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and on the use of neurotrophic factors in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. This volume will be of interest to all neuroscientists studying cell division and differentiation of the nervous system, as well as to all those interested in the functions of membranes, properties of receptors, and signal transduction. Mec~ of Cooperativity and Aliosteric Regulation in Proteins. Edited by MAx PERUTZ. published 1990 by Cambridge University Press, New York, Melbourne. No. of pages: 102. ISBN: 0-521-38648-9. Price at Aug. 1990: $17.95. In the popular view the structure of DNA has told us all about the molecular basis of life, but in fact DNAs and most RNAs are chemically inert, whereas proteins are the workhorses of the living cell. They function as catalysts and genetic regulators, pumps and motors, receptors and transducers, stores and transporters, scaffolds and walls, toxins and antitoxins, conductors and insulators, and much else. They achieve their fantastic versatility with a repertoire of only twenty amino acids, the same in all organisms from archebacteria to mammals. Allosteric proteins control and coordinate chemical events in the living cell. This book ranges from a simple invertebrate haemoglobin through enzymes, genetic repressors and immunoglobins to viruses and the formidably complex acetylcholine receptor, and it shows how the powerful alliance of structural analysis and directed mutagenesis can explore their functions in atomic detail. The contents include the following chapters: --Haemoglobin: dependence of allosteric equilibrium on spin state and coordination of the haem iron; --Haemocyanin: dependence of allosteric equilibrium on coordination and valency of a binuclear copper complex; --Haemerythrin: cooperativity in a binuclear iron complex; --Glycogen phosphorylase: control of glycolysis; --Phosphofructokinase: further control of glycolysis; --Feedback inhibition of a biosynthetic pathway: aspartate transcarbamoylase; ----Control of nitrogen metabolism: glutamine synthetase; --Cooperativity and feedback inhibition without change of quaternary structure: the trp and met repressors of E. coil; --Immunoglobulins: cooperative binding to multivalent antigens. This book will interest researchers in molecular biology, biochemistry, and other fields related to medicine, as well as advanced students in these fields. Hormom~ ~'ula and lk,haviour in Vertebrates. Vol. 1. Sexual Differentiation, Neuroanatomical Aspects, Neurotransmitters and Neuropcptides. Comparative Physiology series, Vol. 8. Edited by J. B^L~L~Z^aT. Published 1990 by Karger, Basel. No. of pages: 236. ISBN: 3-8055-5184-3. Price 1990: US$158.00. Vol. 2. Bchavioural Activation in Males and Females--Social Interactions and Reproductive Endocrinology. Comparative Physiology series, Vol. 9. Edited by J. BALTHAZART.Published 1990 by Karger, Basel. No. of pages: 232. ISBN: 3-8055-5185-1. Price 1990: US$158.00. These two companion volumes contain the Proceedings of the International Conference on Hormones, Brain and Behaviour, held in L i ~ , Brussels, 18-22 August 1989. An important emphasis is placed on the analysis of hormone effects in the brain, and, adopting a truly comparative approach, contributions by leading authorities not only consider mammalian models, but also review available data in reptiles and birds. Since the advent of sensitive biochemical techniques, major progress has been made in our understanding of the endocrine mechanisms of the brain which control social behaviour. These books report much information and represent a unique collection of reviews of recent studies on these mechanisms. The three sections in Vol. 1 focus on the sexual differentiation of behaviour, the neuroanatomical aspects of behaviour control, and neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Vol. 2 is focused on behavioural activation in males and females, together with the relationships between social interactions and reproductive endocrinology.
Book Reviews
This book describes the remarkable development in the detection of inherited or acquired genetic mutations and covers the following main topics: --Exploration of the human genome; --Detection and analysis of human genetic diseases; --Steps toward gene therapy; - - D N A damage and repair; --New methods of DNA analysis. This volume would be of interest to clinicians and researchers working in the areas of human and molecular genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, public health and biotechnology. Trol~ie Factors and the Nervous System. Fidia Research Foundation Symposium Series, Vol. 3. Edited by L. A. Hoggocgs, N. H. NEFF, A. J. Y^~.S and M. H^DJZCONST^NTINOU.Published 1990 by Raven Press, New York. No. of pages: 376. ISBN: 0-88167-671-3. Price 1990: US$ 109.50. This volume presents the latest findings on the role of neurotrophic factors in the growth and development of the nervous system and the repair of neural tissue following injury. In-depth articles explore gangliosides, platelet-derived growth factor, heparin-binding growth factors, recombinant human nerve growth factor; the nerve growth factor receptor and its expression, receptors for gangliosides, and the effects of gangliosides on signal transduction; effects of nerve growth factor on PC12 cells, CNS cholinergic neurons, and cytoskeletal phosphoproteins, and effects of gangliosides on HL-60 leukemia cells; effects of trophic factors on energy depletion, calcium, and dopaminergic function, cholinergic function and recovery from ischemia. The book is divided into the following main sections: --Growth and trophic factors of neural origin; --Trophic factor receptors; --Post-receptor phenomena; --Neurite outgrowth and growth cones; --Neuronal regeneration and recovery of function. Many of the studies presented suggest new avenues of research on the role of neurotrophic factor deficiencies in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and on the use of neurotrophic factors in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. This volume will be of interest to all neuroscientists studying cell division and differentiation of the nervous system, as well as to all those interested in the functions of membranes, properties of receptors, and signal transduction. Mec~ of Cooperativity and Aliosteric Regulation in Proteins. Edited by MAx PERUTZ. published 1990 by Cambridge University Press, New York, Melbourne. No. of pages: 102. ISBN: 0-521-38648-9. Price at Aug. 1990: $17.95. In the popular view the structure of DNA has told us all about the molecular basis of life, but in fact DNAs and most RNAs are chemically inert, whereas proteins are the workhorses of the living cell. They function as catalysts and genetic regulators, pumps and motors, receptors and transducers, stores and transporters, scaffolds and walls, toxins and antitoxins, conductors and insulators, and much else. They achieve their fantastic versatility with a repertoire of only twenty amino acids, the same in all organisms from archebacteria to mammals. Allosteric proteins control and coordinate chemical events in the living cell. This book ranges from a simple invertebrate haemoglobin through enzymes, genetic repressors and immunoglobins to viruses and the formidably complex acetylcholine receptor, and it shows how the powerful alliance of structural analysis and directed mutagenesis can explore their functions in atomic detail. The contents include the following chapters: --Haemoglobin: dependence of allosteric equilibrium on spin state and coordination of the haem iron; --Haemocyanin: dependence of allosteric equilibrium on coordination and valency of a binuclear copper complex; --Haemerythrin: cooperativity in a binuclear iron complex; --Glycogen phosphorylase: control of glycolysis; --Phosphofructokinase: further control of glycolysis; --Feedback inhibition of a biosynthetic pathway: aspartate transcarbamoylase; ----Control of nitrogen metabolism: glutamine synthetase; --Cooperativity and feedback inhibition without change of quaternary structure: the trp and met repressors of E. coil; --Immunoglobulins: cooperative binding to multivalent antigens. This book will interest researchers in molecular biology, biochemistry, and other fields related to medicine, as well as advanced students in these fields. Hormom~ ~'ula and lk,haviour in Vertebrates. Vol. 1. Sexual Differentiation, Neuroanatomical Aspects, Neurotransmitters and Neuropcptides. Comparative Physiology series, Vol. 8. Edited by J. B^L~L~Z^aT. Published 1990 by Karger, Basel. No. of pages: 236. ISBN: 3-8055-5184-3. Price 1990: US$158.00. Vol. 2. Bchavioural Activation in Males and Females--Social Interactions and Reproductive Endocrinology. Comparative Physiology series, Vol. 9. Edited by J. BALTHAZART.Published 1990 by Karger, Basel. No. of pages: 232. ISBN: 3-8055-5185-1. Price 1990: US$158.00. These two companion volumes contain the Proceedings of the International Conference on Hormones, Brain and Behaviour, held in L i ~ , Brussels, 18-22 August 1989. An important emphasis is placed on the analysis of hormone effects in the brain, and, adopting a truly comparative approach, contributions by leading authorities not only consider mammalian models, but also review available data in reptiles and birds. Since the advent of sensitive biochemical techniques, major progress has been made in our understanding of the endocrine mechanisms of the brain which control social behaviour. These books report much information and represent a unique collection of reviews of recent studies on these mechanisms. The three sections in Vol. 1 focus on the sexual differentiation of behaviour, the neuroanatomical aspects of behaviour control, and neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Vol. 2 is focused on behavioural activation in males and females, together with the relationships between social interactions and reproductive endocrinology.