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40 BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION April 1975 Vol. 3 No. 2 Glossaryof MolecularBiology By A. Evans. Butterworth & Co. Ltd., 1974. Pp. 55. £1.50. This Glossary has been prepared for those with either a background of chemistry, biology, or clinical medicine. The author has had a difficult time in selecting the items for the Glossary because, as he points out, Molecular Biologists have invaded such a wide range of fields, e.g. genetics, immunology, virology. To me his selection is pretty satisfactory. In the main too, I like the definitions and find the style crisp but informative. I note a few definitions which might be improved. Perhaps the difference between a Heterokaryon and hybrid cells which are capable of division should be explained. Lysosomes are said to contain aggregations of enzymes which is not very helpful. Under microsomes the definition of the microsome fraction is correct but care should be taken in describing the morphological structures in the fraction. Even in liver and pancreas it is not helpful to say that the predominant structures are from the subcellular endoplasmic reticulum. The nomenclature of the initiation and elongation factors in protein synthesis is now pretty standard and so Peptide Synthetase (Transferase I) requires attention. These are just a few suggestions for the next edition for I am sure that this will prove to be a most useful enterprise. P. N. Campbell I FILM REVIEW I The Structure of GlobularProteins Colour, 20 minutes (1972). Produced by Service du Film, Reserche Scientifique, Paris. Directed by Alain Voorons and Pr. S. Weinmann, animation by Roger Rochelles, Les Films de la Maitrise. From the French Scientific Films Library of the Scientific Department of the French Embassy. Hire free. Distributed in the U.K. by Contemporary Films Ltd., 55 Greek Street, London W1V 6DB (Tel. 7344901). Readers outside the U.K. should contact Miss Sophie Gruner at the French Institute, 15 Queensberry Place, London S.W.7 (Tel. 589 6211) for further details about hire and sale. This excellent animated film in colour puts across some essentials of protein structure in a very clear and concise manner. The pace is not rushed and the animation unfolds in synchrony with the sound track. The sub-headings were in French but the commentary was in English in the version seen by the reviewer. The nature of the peptide bond was first demonstrated with ball-and-spoke models and three important features emphasised -- the co-planarity of the six constituent atoms (with brief mention of n electron clouds), the fixed nature of the bond angles and lengths and the trans configuration of the bond due to steric hindrance of side chains. Rotation of the peptide planes about the Ca-N and the Ca-CO bonds was indicated and it was shown that selection of particular pairs of values for O and xI/leads to three different helices (3.613, 4.416 and 310) or to pleated sheets, all stabilized by hydrogen bonding. A globular protein might therefore contain helical, pleated sheet or disordered regions. It was shown how the interaction of hydrophobic side chains led to the exclusion of ordered water molecules and increased entropy, so that hydrophobic pockets within the protein molecule added stability. Cystine bridges and external hydrophilic interactions were indicated. Only a few very minor points of criticism could be made such as an unusual pronunciation once of "eye-soU-you-sine", or interacting hydrophobic groups being shown rather distant from each other or an oddly shaped substrate molecule rather like a little sea-horse swimming into the active centre of an enzyme. Warmly recommended as being very suitable for showing to university students, on a course on protein structure. B. A. Kilby Printed b.v the Central Printing Service at the Universityof Leeds The Osmotic Pressure of Biological Macromolecules M. Tombs and A. R. Peacocke Measurements of osmotic pressure have contributed much to the study of macromolecules in solution, and recent improvements in instrumentation have further enhanced the usefulness of the method. This book provides a comprehensive account of both the practice of osmotic pressure measurement and the theory that underlies it. £7 Monographs in Physical Biochemistry Principles and Problems in Physical Chemistry for Biochemists Nicholas C. Price and Raymond A. Dwek Student biologists and biochemists are here introduced to physical chemistry by means of worked examples and problems (with detailed answers) and brief, concise explanations of the most important theoretical points. The text is developed logically and shows the student how it is possible by using thermodynamic quantities, to predict whether a process can occur, and from kinetic studies to predict how fast this will. happen. £5.50 paper covers £2.35 Monographs in Physical Biochemistry Biological Membranes Twelve Essays on their Organization, Properties and Functions Edited by D. S. Parsons Membranes play a central part in the activities of living cells. These essays emphasize the dynamic nature of their structure and of the biochemical processes that control the movement of substances through them. The topics considered include cell fractionation, physical biochemistry, the biochemistry of development, the biochemistry of metal ions, the use of artificial membranes, and physiological aspects of membrane transport. £4.25 The Mathematics of Diffusion J. Crank Though it incorporates much new material, this second edition preserves the general character of the book in providing a collection of solutions of the equations of diffusion and describing how these solutions may be obtained. It will appeal mainly to research workers and postgraduate students concerned with heat and mass transfer, whether in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, medicine, physics, or mathematics. Second edition £12.50 Oxford University Press CPS/1646/4/75

The structure of globular proteins

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40 BIOCHEMICAL EDUCATION April 1975 Vol. 3 No. 2

Glossary of Molecular Biology By A. Evans. Butterworth & Co. Ltd., 1974. Pp. 55. £1.50.

This Glossary has been prepared for those with either a background of chemistry, biology, or clinical medicine. The author has had a difficult time in selecting the items for the Glossary because, as he points out, Molecular Biologists have invaded such a wide range of fields, e.g. genetics, immunology, virology. To me his selection is pretty satisfactory. In the main too, I like the definitions and find the style crisp but informative. I note a few definitions which might be improved. Perhaps the difference between a Heterokaryon and hybrid cells which are capable of division should be explained. Lysosomes are said to contain aggregations of enzymes which is not very helpful. Under microsomes the definition of the microsome fraction is correct but care should be taken in describing the morphological structures in the fraction. Even in liver and pancreas it is not helpful to say that the predominant structures are from the subcellular endoplasmic reticulum. The nomenclature of the initiation and elongation factors in protein synthesis is now pretty standard and so Peptide Synthetase (Transferase I) requires attention. These are just a few suggestions for the next edition for I am sure that this will prove to be a most

useful enterprise. P. N. Campbell

I FILM REVIEW I

The Structure of Globular Proteins Colour, 20 minutes (1972). Produced by Service du Film, Reserche Scientifique, Paris. Directed by Alain Voorons and Pr. S. Weinmann, animation by Roger Rochelles, Les Films de la Maitrise.

From the French Scientific Films Library of the Scientific Department of the French Embassy. Hire free. Distributed in the U.K. by Contemporary Films Ltd., 55 Greek Street, London W1V 6DB (Tel. 7344901). Readers outside the U.K. should contact Miss Sophie Gruner at the French Institute, 15 Queensberry Place, London S.W.7 (Tel. 589 6211) for further details about hire and sale.

This excellent animated film in colour puts across some essentials of protein structure in a very clear and concise manner. The pace is not rushed and the animation unfolds in synchrony with the sound track. The sub-headings were in French but the commentary was in English in the version seen by the reviewer. The nature of the peptide bond was first demonstrated with ball-and-spoke models and three important features emphasised - - the co-planarity of the six constituent atoms (with brief mention of n electron clouds), the fixed nature of the bond angles and lengths and the trans configuration of the bond due to steric hindrance of side chains. Rotation of the peptide planes about the Ca-N and the Ca-CO bonds was indicated and it was shown that selection of particular pairs of values for O and xI/leads to three different helices (3.613, 4.416 and 310) or to pleated sheets, all stabilized by hydrogen bonding. A globular protein might therefore contain helical, pleated sheet or disordered regions. It was shown how the interaction of hydrophobic side chains led to the exclusion of ordered water molecules and increased entropy, so that hydrophobic pockets within the protein molecule added stability. Cystine bridges and external hydrophilic interactions were indicated. Only a few very minor points of criticism could be made such as an unusual pronunciation once of "eye-soU-you-sine", or interacting hydrophobic groups being shown rather distant from each other or an oddly shaped substrate molecule rather like a little sea-horse swimming into the active centre of an enzyme. Warmly recommended as being very suitable for showing to university students, on a course on protein s t ruc ture .

B. A. Kilby

Printed b.v the Central Printing Service at the University of Leeds

The Osmotic Pressure of Biological Macromolecules M. Tombs and A. R. Peacocke M e a s u r e m e n t s of o smo t i c p re s su re have c o n t r i b u t e d m u c h to the s tudy of m a c r o m o l e c u l e s in so lu t ion , and recen t i m p r o v e m e n t s in i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n have fu r t he r e n h a n c e d the use fu lness of the m e t h o d . Th i s b o o k p rov ides a c o m p r e h e n s i v e a c c o u n t of b o t h the p rac t i ce of o smo t i c p r e s su re m e a s u r e m e n t a n d the theory tha t unde r l i e s it. £7 Monographs in Physical Biochemistry

Principles and Problems in Physical Chemistry for Biochemists Nicholas C. Price and Raymond A. Dwek Studen t b io log is t s and b i o c h e m i s t s a re he re i n t r o d u c e d to phys ica l c h e m i s t r y by m e a n s of w o r k e d e x a m p l e s a n d p r o b l e m s (wi th de t a i l ed answers) a n d br ief , conc ise e x p l a n a t i o n s of the m o s t i m p o r t a n t t heo re t i ca l po in t s . T h e tex t is deve loped logica l ly a n d shows the s t uden t how it is poss ib le by us ing t h e r m o d y n a m i c quan t i t i e s , to p r ed i c t w h e t h e r a p rocess can occur , a n d f r o m k ine t ic s tud ies to p r ed i c t how fast this will. h a p p e n . £5 .50 p a p e r covers £2.35 Monographs in Physical Biochemistry

Biological Membranes Twelve Essays on their Organization, Properties and Functions Edited by D. S. Parsons M e m b r a n e s p lay a cen t r a l pa r t in the act ivi t ies of l iv ing cells. T h e s e essays e m p h a s i z e the d y n a m i c n a t u r e of the i r s t ruc tu re a n d of the b i o c h e m i c a l p rocesses tha t con t ro l the m o v e m e n t of subs t ances t h r o u g h t h e m . T h e top ics c o n s i d e r e d i nc lude cell f r a c t i o n a t i o n , phys ica l b iochemis t ry , the b i o c h e m i s t r y of d e v e l o p m e n t , the b iochemis t ry of m e t a l ions, the use of a r t i f ic ia l m e m b r a n e s , a n d phys io log ica l aspec ts of m e m b r a n e t r an spo r t . £4.25

The Mathematics of Diffusion J. Crank T h o u g h it i n c o r p o r a t e s m u c h new m a t e r i a l , this s econd ed i t ion p rese rves the g e n e r a l c h a r a c t e r of the b o o k in p r o v i d i n g a co l lec t ion of so lu t ions of the e q u a t i o n s of d i f fus ion a n d desc r ib ing how these so lu t ions m a y be o b t a i n e d . I t will a p p e a l ma in ly to r e sea rch worker s a n d p o s t g r a d u a t e s tuden t s c o n c e r n e d wi th h e a t a n d mass t r ans fe r , w h e t h e r in chemis t ry , b iochemis t ry , b io logy, m e d i c i n e , physics , or m a t h e m a t i c s . S e c o n d ed i t ion £12.50

Oxford University Press CPS/1646/4/75