Camp. Biochem. I%@/. Vol. 98A, No. I, pp. 171-174, 1991 Pergamon Press plc. Printed in Great Britain

BOOK REVIEWS

An Introduction to the Physical Chemistry of Biological OrganizatiowBy A. R. F'EACOCKE. 310 pp. 1989. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Cloth $92. Paper $33.95.

This is a reprint of the 1983 edition with some corrections and additional references. The topics discussed are; thermo- dynamics of living systems; network thermdynamics; kinetics of biological self organization; selection and evolution of biological macromolecules; interpretation of biological com- plexity. The reader will get an insight into the way in which specific chemical structures can lead to apparently very com- plex systems by obeying relatively simple physico-chemical laws. It might even solve embryonic differentiation in time.

Proteolytic Enzymes; A Practical Approach-Edited by R. J. BENYON and J. S. BOND. 259 pp. 1989. IRL/Oxford University Press, Oxford. Cloth $59. Paper $39.

The topics dealt with are; diversity of proteolytic enzymes (PE); purification of PE; protease assay methods; determi- nation of protease mechanism; inhibition of PE; prevention of unwanted proteolysis; Proteases in peptide synthesis; proteolysis for sequence analysis and peptide mapping; proteases as probes of conformation of soluble proteins; proteases as topological probes for membrane proteins; solubilization of membrane proteins; exogenous control of intracellular proteins catabolism; proteases in protein maturation.

Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis; A Practical Approach-By E. ATHEYRTON and R. SHEPPARD. 203 pp. 1989. IRL/Oxford University Press, Oxford. Cloth $59. Paper $38.

This book gives details of the Merrifield original method and then gives full details of the more recent F-mot [fluorenyl methoxy carbonyl] polyamide synthesis (analytical and monitoring techniques; reaction procedures and operat- ing techniques; resin cleavage and purification; illustrative synthesis of six different peptides) with information on laboratory constructed and commercial instruments. An excellent handbook for this methodology.

Protein Purification; Principles, High Resolution Methods and Applications-Edited by J.-C. JANSON and L. RYDEN. 502 pp. 1989. VCH Weinheim, DFR. DM124.

The different methods of protein purification are discussed with accent on the principles and methodology. The topics discussed are; chromatography (C); gel filtration; ion exchange C; chromafocussing; high resolution reversed phase C; hydrophobic interaction C; immobilized metal ion affinity C; covalent C; affinity C; affinity partitioning of proteins; electrophoresis (E); gel E; isoelectric focussing; immuno E; two dimension polyacrylamide E; protein recovery and blotting techniques; capillary E.

Leukotrienes and Lipoxygenases; Chemical, Biological and Clinical Aspects-Edited by J. ROKACH. 518 pp. 1989. Elsevier, Amsterdam. D.Fl 360. $189.50.

Who would have thought that Feldberg and Krayer’s work in 1939 on the slow releasing substance (SRS) that appeared from lungs perfused with cobra venom and which could cause smooth muscle to contract, would lead to the prosta- glandins, thromboxanes, and prostacyclin? Later work showed that SRS-A was released during allergic reactions and that it was a series of metabolites of arachidonic acid. The enzymes carrying out this metabolism were lipoxygenases which insert molecular oxygen at different sites on arachi- donic acid. This volume has chapters on the chemistry of leukotrienes (L); biochemistry of the L pathways; assay methods for L products; pharmacology and pathophysiol- ogy of L; L in diseased states; enzyme inhibitors and L receptor antagonists. The action of L on the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, skin, eyes and GI tract, and inflammation make them key chemicals in modern medicine and their role is well described in this volume.

Leukotrienes and Prostanoids in Health and Disease-Edited by U. ZOR, Z. NAOR and A. DANON. 345 pp. 1989. Karger, Basel. S.Fr 329, $213.50.

The metabolites of arachidonic acid, leukotrienes (L) and prostanoids (P) are implicated as mediators in allergic and inflammatory responses, asthma, anaphylaxis, shock, myo- cardial infarction and stroke. Research on the cyclooxy- genase, lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2 regulation by protein kinase C has led to the development of drugs that inhibit the biosynthesis of L and P and so can be used in the treatment of clinical conditions. This volume contains the proceedings of the 2nd International Conference held in Jerusalem.

Antigenic Determinants and Immune Regulation-Edited by E. SERCARZ. 189 pp. 1989. Karger, Basel. $99.50.

Protein antigens are responsible for antigenicity (determinants reactive with the antibody) and immunogenicity (determi- nants that activate T cells). This volume deals with the antigens; T clones and monoclonal antibodies; the major histocompatability complex; insulin determinant recognition; encephalogenic epitopes of myelin basic protein; mammalian reovirus; murine alloantigens and their suppression; immune dominance. The balance between under reaction, reaction and over reaction of the immune response is described.

Radiation Tolerance of Normal Tissue-Edited by J. M. VAETH and J. L. MEYER. 443 pp. 1989. Karger. Basel. S.Fr 384. $256.

Radiation treatment for cancer depends on cancerous cells having a greater sensitivity to radiation than normal tissue. This volume surveys the evidence concerning the radiation sensitivity of tissues and the implication of this data for cancer therapy. If one considers the tolerance to a single dose, the values in Gy are 2-6 lymphoid, ovary; 2-10 bone marrow, testes, eye, lung, intestine; lo-20 connective tissue, colorectal, kidney; 15.-20 heart, liver, skin, peripheral nerve. spinal cord, brain; > 30 bone and cartilage, muscle. Fraction doses are higher, i.e. brain 60-70 Gy. This book will interest all those involved in radiation treatment.

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