Camp. Biochem. Phyd. Vol. 106A. No. 2. pp. 403404, 1993 Pergamon Press Ltd. Printed in Great Britain

BOOK REVIEWS

Chemistry of Proteolysis-By V. K. ANTONOV. 494 pp. 1993. Springer, Berlin. DM 498.

Proteolysis is the enzymatic hydrolysis of the amide bond in peptides and proteins. At least 597 proteases are known and this book deals with their substrates; the properties of the enzymes [primary structure, spatial structure, active sites, conformational mobility]; non-enzymatic models; enzyme hydrolysis-phenomenology [kinetics, specificity, efficiency]; regulation and the effect of external factors; enzyme sub- strate complexes; chemical transformation of the substrate; specificity and efficiency--concepts and hypotheses. The treatment is rigorous, clear, and at an advanced level.

The Biology of Neuropeptide Y and Related Peptides-Ed- ited by W. F. COLMERS and C. WAHLESTEDT. 564~~. 1993. Human Press, NJ. $99.50, Elsewhere $119.50.

The neuropeptide Y (NPY) family consists of NPY, peptide YY (PYY), pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and fish pancreatic peptide (PY). All members of the family have 36 amino acids and have a carboxyterminal amide. NPY is found in the nervous system; PYY in the intestine and PP in the pancreas. NPY is also found in megakaryocytes, the adrenal medulla and can be released from platelets. NPY has been analysed from hagfish, torpedo, goldfish, frog, chicken, alligators and a range of mammals. Its structure is highly conserved. NPY of mammals is identical to that of torpedo in 33 positions out of the 36 (92% similarity over 500 million years). A substance similar to PP is also found in invert- ebrates (Lumbricus, Lymnaea, Calliphora). This book deals with the evolution of the NPY family; structure and ex- pression of the NPY gene; NPY neurons; NPY in peripheral nervous system; receptor types; NPY a neurotransmitter; NPY and control of gastrointestinal function; effect on the cardiovascular system; effect on endocrine and reproductive systems; NPY in multiple hypothalamic sites controls eating behavior, NPY in relation to behavior and psychiatric disorders.

Fetus and Neonate Physiology and Clinical Implications. Volume 1. The CirculatiorwEdited bv M. A. HANSON. J. A. D. SPENCER and C. H. RODECK. 438~~. 1993. Cambridge University Press. Hardback $I 10, paperback $39.95.

This is an advanced text that deals with control of heart rate and blood pressure in the fetus; regional distribution of cardiac output; regulation of blood volume in utero; local and endocrine factors; growth and development of the heart; circulatory transitions at birth; acute fetal hypoxia and asphyxia; chronic hypoxaemia; persistent pulmonary hypertension; birth weight and blood pressure in childhood and adult life; recording and analysis of fetal heart rate variation; doppler ultrasonography; cerebral haemodynam- its and oxygenation; structural and functional anomalies of the heart; persistent fetal circulation.

Fundamentals of Clinical Physiology-By DOM COLBERT. 750 pp. 1993. Prentice Hall. New York, Paperback f25.95.

This text is designed to provide students in the health care professions with a readable source of relevant information. The material is arranged with bold headings on each page so that the important points can be quickly seen. This

volume deals with the cell membrane; passage across the capillary wall; fluid and electrolyte balance; fluid and elec- trolyte depletion; acid-base balance; the kidney; renal fail- ure; blood and immunity; haemostatic and allied systems; cardiovascular system; special circulation; heart failure; hypertension; shock; respiratory system; respiratory failure; exercise. The gastrointestinal system, skeletal system, endo- crinology, reproduction and the nervous system are not dealt with in this volume.

The Mast Cell in Health and Disease-Edited by M. A. KALINER and D. D. METCALFE. 880~~. 1993. Marcel Dekker, New York. $195.

Mast cells (M) originate in vivo from pluripotent cells found in their highest number in the bone marrow. Addition of IL-3 to bone marrow cultures gives rise to pure M from Thy l+ progenitor cells. M play an important role in inflam- mation and in the defensive system of the body. Mast cell related diseases include asthma, rhinitis, anaphylaxis, urti- caria and food allergy. The topics in this book deal with; ultrastructure of M; the high affinity receptor for IgE on M; histamine releasing factors; heterogeneity of M [MC-TC contain tryptase, chymase, cathepsin-G, and carboxypepti- dase; MC-T contain only tryptase]; development of M; M secretory granule protease; phosphoinositides and M; his- tamine; M proteoglycans; leukotrienes; M production of cytokines; sodium cromoglycate; effect of anti-inflammatory steroids; anaphylaxis; asthma; rhinitis; food allergy; urti- caria; dermatitis; scleroderma; arthritis; adhesion receptors [integrins, cadherins, selectins].

Mechanisms in B-cell Neoplasia-Edited by M. POTTER and F. MELCHERS. 499~~. 1992. Springer, Berlin. DM 205.

This book contains the proceedings of the 1992 Workshop held in Bethesda. The papers are grouped into sections on; B-cell development; immunoglobulin gene rearrangement; multiple myeloma, plasmacytomas; lymphomas. B-CLL, follicular lymphomas BCL-2, BCL-I; Lymphomas, EBV, Aids associated lymphomas; oncogenes and transcriptional factors. Specific B-cell growth factors can now be produced in large quantities. Model systems for each of the major B-cell tumors have been constructed. Tissue cultures of bone marrow have allowed progenitor and precursor cells to proliferate and differentiate; immunoglobulin genes in germ line configuration can rearrange. These progenitor and precursor cells can be injected in SCID mice resulting in repopulation of the pre-B and B-cell compartments. c-myc is a transcription factor that regulates the ornithine decar- boxylase gene. Ornithine decarboxylase is a rate limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis that is required in the progression from Gl to the S phase in cell division. B-cells provide an excellent model system for understanding im- munochemistry and neoplasia.

Oxford Textbook of Clinical Pharmacology and Drug Therapy. 2nd Edition-By D. G. GRAHAME-SMITH and J. K. ARONSON. 756 pp. 1992. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Hardback $105, paperback $49.95.

Medical students and physicians will find this a very interesting and helpful text. The information is clearly presented with headings and tables. Even though there is a

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