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BOOK REVIEWS
of Lysosomes’ and ‘Histochemical Methods for the Study of Lysosomes’. Each of these
chapters has involved extensive rewriting and updating of material included in the
first edition. The fifth chapter, ‘Antibodies to Enzymes and their Uses’, with particular
reference to lysosomal enzymes, is a welcome and new addition to this handbook.
However, the exclusion of the earlier short chapter (14 pages) in the previous edition o n
‘Automated Methods for Measuring Lysosomal Enzymes’ is disappointing.
The chapter by R. T. Dean contains a critical evaluation of the various methods
presently applicable to the isolation of lysosomes. It is succinctly written and includes
the essential details for anyone seriously considering purification of these organelles
from particular biological sources. The chapter on lysosomal enzymes has been almost
completely rewritten, and contains extremely useful and comprehensive reviews on all
of those enzymes currently considered to be associated with lysosomes. Relevant biochemical information concerning these enzymes, obtained from studies on specific
lysosomal-storage diseases, is a welcome addition. A. J. Barrett and M. F. Heath have
included a valuable section on the various procedures available for the detection and
quantitation of many lysosomal enzymes. The chapter by J. P. M. Schellers et al., on
electron microscopy develops, in detail, the use of various markers for the identification
of lysosomes. There are also sections on enzyme and non-enzymic cytochemical
staining and on the usefulness of X-ray microanalysis. The quality and presentation of
electron micrographs illustrating the text are even higher than those of the first edition.
This chapter is complemented by the succeeding one, written by L. Bitensky and
J. Chayen, in which procedures for the histochemical staining for various lysosomal
enzymes are suitably presented. The final chapter, by A. R. Poole, relates to the use of
various immunqchemical techniques in lysosomology. The use of antibodies to specific
lysosomal enzymes is especially relevant to those tissues (e.g. muscle) in which morphological evidence for lysosomes is currently inadequate. In particular, the greater
sensitivity of immunohistochemical procedures could overcome the limitations of
common biochemical and cytochemical techniques.
In conclusion, this book maintains the high standard set by its predecessor. The improved layout and presentation, especially the clearer subsectioning within each chapter,
justifies this publication as an excellent and invaluable supplement to the five volumes of
Lysosomes in Biology and Pathology. However, I d o wish the editor could find a cheaper
publisher. For f33.15 I would expect the original colour photographs to be included,
since it is a very expensive handbook for the laboratory bench.
M. H. R. LEWIS
Molecular Mechanisms of Protein Biosynthesis
HERBERT WEISSBACH and SIDNEY PESTKA (Editors)
Academic Press, New York, Sun Francisco and London, 1977, p p . 720, €39.05
To read Molecular Mechanisms of’ Protein Biosynthesis from first page to last is
in itself indeed a time-consuming operation. Inevitably in exactly 700 pages of
text (including the space needed for illustrations) some articles are better than
others, but the overall impression remains that this is, in many ways, an excellent
addition t o the voluminous literature in the field of protein synthesis. A wide scope of
topics is covered with articles on transfer RNA, the initiation, elongation and termination
of protein chains, ribosome structure and function, the use of affinity labels, m R N A
translation, DNA-directed protein synthesis in uitro, inhibitors of protein synthesis and
thegenetics of the translational apparatus. One of the many pleasures that have resulted
from reviewing this text was the early realization that I would not have t o pay the asking
price of E39.05 for the undoubted privilege and advantage of owning this particular
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BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
volume. Let it be hoped that libraries throughout the country are not short of the
necessary funds.
The textbook, published by Academic Press, is edited by Herbert Weissbach and
Sidney Pestka. Since these two stalwarts are employed at the excellent Roche Institute
of Molecular Biology it comes as no surprise to find that, of the team of 17 contributors,
no fewer than five are located in Nutley, New Jersey, a good indication of the
molecular-biology expertise available in the Institute in question. Nevertheless, despite
the fact that the overall team performance is usually good and invariably sound, it must
be said that (as usual) the midfield is totally and impressively dominated by the German
contingent, this time in the form of a Stoffler-Wittmann dimer. Their contribution,
entitled ‘Primary Structure and Three-Dimensional Arrangement of Proteins within
the Escherichia coli Ribosome’ is, to say the least, formidable. It abounds with facts,
and I a m confident that it will be proved also to contain a certain proportion of fiction,
inevitably the case in a research area where speculation sometimes runs riot. However,
above all this is a vital and exciting article and there is a full-frontal view of a 50s
ribosomal subunit that could be mistaken for a futuristic armchair liberally adorned
with prize-winning medals.
There are 13 chapters in the book, and I must say that I enjoyed reading the
majority of them and certainly I became aware of an enormous amount of new and
up-to-date information. Many of the articles are freshly written, and the personality of
the particular contributor often shines clearly through the text. For example Chuck
Kurland’s excellent contribution on ‘Aspects of Ribosome Structure and Function’
abounds with splendid phrases, new ideas and split infinitives, whereas Tom Caskey’s
no-nonsense article on ‘Peptide Chain Termination’ is quietly and concisely to the
point. It is to the Editors’ credit that the various chapters have retained their
individuality, or did they find that formal editorial direction was out of the
question bearing in mind the length of the finished product? After all Sid Pestka
has not only shared the limelight with R. J. Harris on ‘Peptide Bond Formation’ but
he has also translocated himself through Caskey’s article to contribute personally a
steady chapter on ‘Inhibitors of Protein Synthesis’.
I hope that other contributors will forgive me if I mention neither them nor
their article(s) by name, but this omission does not detract from the importance of
these other chapters in aiding the production of a well-balanced and very readable
text. Perhaps the only major disappointment was the introductory article entitled
‘Twenty Years of Molecular Biology’ and written by Fritz Lipmann. One always expects
and has invariably been given a great deal from this distinguished scientist, but sadly
he misses out badly in this strangely lightweight preface.
MICHAEL C A N N O N
Modem Concepts in Biochemistry (Second Edition)
ROBERT C. BOHINSKI
Allyn and Bacon Znc., Boston, London, Sydney and Toronto, 1976, pp. 6I4,f9.95;
Problems Manual, f4.75;Solutions Manual, f2.35
In the second edition of Modern Concepts in Biochemistry by R. C. Bohinski, a
teaching package has been offered. The text may be used in conjunction with a clutch
of overhead-projector transparencies of illustrations from the book. Problems and
solutions manuals are also available. Unfortunately the words on the transparencies are
difficult t o decipher, and the colour contrast is rather dreary, so even the diagrams
lack impact.
1978