In!. J. Biochem.Vol. 23, No. 3, pp.
383-384, 1991
Pergamon Press pk. Printed in Great Britain zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedcbaZYXWVUTSRQPONMLKJIHGFEDCBA
BOOK REVIEWS
Laboratory Methodology in Biochemistry. Amino Acid
Analysis and Protein Sequencing-Edited by C. FINI,
A. FLORIDI,V. N. FINELLIand B. W-LIEBOLD.263 pp. 1990.
CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. $129.95.
After a short history of protein sequence analysis, the
chapters deal with mass spectrometry-GLC; DABS-Cl;
DABITC; HPLC; use of computers in protein sequencing;
mapping of ligand binding sites; ASP-N endoproteinase;
peptide isolation in subnanomole range; hormone purifi-
cation; electroblotting; fast atom bombardment mass
spectrometry. Sufficient experimental details are provided to
help with the procedures, and references are given to allow
the reader to follow up specific points.
Erythrocyte Band 3 Protein-J. M. SALHANY.213 pp. 1990.
CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. $124.95.
The band 3 protein (band 3) is responsible for anion
transport across the RBC membrane. This single author
volume provides an excellent survey of the biochemistry and
kinetics of anion transport. The chapters deal with history
and perspective; disposition and structure of band 3;
mechanisms of band 3 ion exchange; cytosolic associations
of band 3 and heterotropic allosteric control of anion
exchange; band 3 porter [organic acid transport, water
and urea transport, glucose transport]. A very interesting
account of an important subject.
Protein Methylation-Edited by W. K. PAIK and S. KIM.
451 pp. 1990. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. $195.
Many proteins are methylated. Lysine, arginine, histidine,
proline, alanine, glutamine, and asparagine residues of
certain proteins are post synthetically N-methylated. Glu-
tamic and aspartic residues are O-methylesterified; cysteine
and methionine residues are S-methylated. Protein methyl-
ation is important in bacterial chemotaxis, carnitine bio-
synthesis, DNA repair, membrane protein repair and
growth. Methylation is also important in calmodulin, cyto-
chrome c, nuclear acids, histones, ribosomal proteins and
heat shock proteins. All these are discussed in depth in the
present interesting volume which will tell you all you want
to know about protein methylation.
Fc Receptors and the Action of Antibodies-Edited by H.
METZGER.368 pp. 1990. American Society for Micro-
biology, Washington, D.C. $65.
Although antibodies can bind directly to antigens, in many
cases antibodies react with other proteins and this then
stimulates different effector systems. The proteins bind to
the invariant Fc region of the antibody and are called Fc
receptors. It is through these receptors that antibodies
regulate their own biosynthesis, transport, catabolism; in-
itiate complement cascade; stimulate phagocytosis; trigger
release of cellular mediators and promote cell mediated
killing of other cells and microorganisms. This book deals
with these topics under sections on structure and function
of antibodies; receptor mediated transport and metabolism;
activation of complement system; antibody mediated
endocytosis; Fc mediated secretion; Fc mediated killing;
antibody mediated regulation of lymphocytes. A fascinating
story.
383
Urines in Cellular SignaIling; Targets for New Drugs-
Edited by K. A. JACOBSON,J. W. DALY and V.
MANGANIELLO. 467 pp. 1990. Springer Verlag, Berlin.
DM 95.
This is the proceedings of a symposium held in Maryland,
September 1989. Adenosine, ATP, CAMP, cGMP act at
different receptors sites to produce a wide range of effects.
Adenosine and ATP act on surface receptors; CAMP and
cGMP are intracellular messengers. The 54 papers in this
volume discuss the properties of the different receptors, the
development of selective synthetic agonists and antagonists,
the nature and role of phosphodiesterases and their inhibi-
tors. The role of purines in cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac
contractility, kidney function, CNS, visual transduction,
platelet aggregation, lipolysis, is discussed, together with the
possibilities of the development of new and selective drugs
acting on purinergic systems.
Dietary Tanins; Consequences and RemediegEdited by
D. K. SALLJNKHE, J. K. CHAVANand S. S. KADAM.200 pp.
1990. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. $124.95.
The tanins and other phenolic compounds present in foods
can act as anti-nutrients, especially in those countries where
these plant materials form a major part of the diet. This
book deals with the structure, classification and synthesis
of plant phenolics; occurrence, nature and composition
(sorghum, millet, barley, legumes, fruit and vegetables);
methods of tanin analysis; nutritional consequences of
dietary tannins (growth, digestion, protein absorption,
enzyme inhibition); removal and detoxification of tannins;
tannin in crop production. Although phenols can have
antibacterial, antioxidant and flavour inducing effects, their
deleterious effects are well described in the present volume.
Epithelial Secretion of Water and ElectrolytesEdited by
J. A. YOUNGand P. WONG. 279 pp. 1990. Springer Verlag,
Berlin. DM 238.
The studies by Silva et al. on salt and water secretion by the
salt secreting gland of the dogfish provided a boost to the
understanding of transepithlial fluid secretion. This book
brings this new information together. The topics covered
are: general aspects of secretion (epithelial Cl channels;
cation channels, gap junctions; changes in membrane
capacitance; protein secretion; mutant cell lines; use of
NMR; network thermodynamics); salivary glands; lacrimal
glands; exocrine pancreas; endocrine pancreas; gastric
mucosa; liver; epididymus; salt glands; cystic fibrosis epi-
thelia (defect in the phosphorylation of a regulatory domain
in the chloride channels). The chapters are well written and
presented, making this volume a very useful account of the
subject.
Molecular Cell Biology, 2nd edn-J. DARNALL, H. LODISH
and D. BALTIMORE. 1105 pp. 1990. Scientific American/W.
H. Freeman, New York.
The first edition appeared in 1986. This new edition has full
colour illustrations, has been brought up to date, and many
explanations are more clearly and simply expressed. As
readers of the previous edition will appreciate, the book
achieves a very high standard in the ground that it covers,
its levels of explanation and illustration, and its up-to-date
384 Book Reviews

information. For example a protein kinesin binds to vesicles
and carries them towards the + end of mictotubules;
another protein MAP1 C carries vesicles towards the - end
of microtubules; so explaining the anterograde and retro-
grade transport of vesicles along nerve axons. Many such
new explanations are available in this text and most people
will learn much from reading this new edition. In addition
to cell structure and function, gene expression, replication
and expression, there are chapters on cell secretion and
transport, cell signalling, hormones, nerve function, cellular
movement, cancer, immunity, and the evolution of cells. Get
this book for the library or buy one for yourself.