Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins

320 Journal of Molecular IQ Elsevier Sclentlfic

Strrrctrrre, 20 i 1974) 320-324 Pubfishmg Company, Amsterdam

- Printed

m The Netherlands

Book reviews Miissbauer

Efict

Press, New York,

Data Index (1971),

1972, pp. ix+430,

edited by J. G. AND V. price S37.50.

E. STEVENS,

Plenum

The latest volume of the MGssbauer Effect Data Index follows the same general format as its predecessors and contains a wealth of information consolidating the 1971 literature on Mijssbauer spectroscopy. Using the Chemical Abstracts Source Index as the basis of the search, over 1000 references are systematically arranged by topic, author and Miissbauer isotope. The Miissbauer parameters, percentage effect, linewidth, isomer shift: quadruple splitting etc., and ambient conditions, used in the experiment, for compounds studied in 1971, are given explicitly in subsections for each Miissbauer isotope. Thes6 subsections are preceded by useful nuclear energy level and decay schemes and summaries of selected parameters relevant to Mossbauer spectroscopy for each isotope. Two topical papers on nomenclature and conventions (J. J. Zuckerman et al.) and a review of calibration methods (P. A. Flinn) are included as well as a partial coverage of the 1972 literature. This book is invaluable to any worker active in the field of MGssbauer spectroscopy and is a worthy companion to previous volumes. It is worth noting that the authors provide an addltional service to Mijssbauer spectroscopists by making available photocopies and in some cases translations of Russian articles at low cost. M. J. T.

Amino-acids,

reporter,

Peptides and Proteins,

G. T. YOUNG, Chemical

Vol. 4, (Specialist Periodical Report), senior Society, London, 1972, pp. ix+472, price L9.00.

Volume 4 of this series covers significant work published in 1971 on amino acid, peptide, and protein chemistry. The series has now become an useful complement to the well-established review volumes dealing with proteins and enzymes: Vol. 4 is no exception, some 3000 references being covered. The greater part of this volume deals with work published on protein structure and conformation (chapter 2). Chapter 3 is a detailed review on progress in chemical aspects of peptide and polypeptide synthesis. The other briefer chapters deal with the synthesis, stereochemistry, and analytical chemistry of amino acids, chemistry of peptides “with structural features not typical of proteins*‘, and nomenclature of peptides and polypeptides.

321 In chapter 2, a comprehensive and elegant review of studies on primary structure and chemical modification of proteins is followed by a series of reports describing the use of various physical methods for studying protein structure. Laser Raman spectroscopy is not mentioned, although the pioneering studies of Lord and Yu on proteins in aqueous solution were published in 1970 (also omitted from Vol. 3). The sections on optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism, dissociation and association equilibria, and on solid phase synthesis of polypeptides are noteworthy in providing critical coverage. All attempts on the part of the reporters to improve the digestibility of the material covered are to be welcomed. E. T. Protein-Protein Verlag, Berlin,

Interactions, edited by R. JAENICKE 1972, pp. vii+464, price 524.80.

AND

E. HELMREICH, Springer-

This book reports the proceedings of the twenty-third Mosbach Colloquium on Protein-Protein Interactions. There are twenty papers contributed by speakers from European countries, Israel and the United States, which provide up-to-date information on different aspects of this particularly interesting field. The discrlssions are included for most of the papers. Introductory lectures cover the general aspects of intermolecular forces and energy calculations in proteins and simple protein models as well as structurefunction relationship in allosteric enzymes. Progress in the field relies on technical and methodical developments and there are a number of examples of the contributions made by X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and labelling techniques in the elucidation of specific interactions in quaternary structure proteins and protein complexes. Further papers cover structural and functional aspects of a number of heteroiogous protein systems such as contractile proteins of muscle. with its important biological and Insight into the process of morphogenesis, medical implications, is provided by reports on cell-cell interactions in tissue culture and the self assembly of TW protein. This book gives the reader a clear impression of the present state of protein research and of the way in which protein-protein interactions hold specific implications in determining the extensive diversity of structure and function of living matter. J. W. -I-.

Inorganic Rings and Cages, pp. xi + 387, price L 12.50.

by D. A. ARMITAGE, Edward

This book adopts a predominantly chemistry of the main group elements

Arnold,

London,

1972,

descriptive approach to a facet covering compounds characterised

of the by a