Vergmo. J. Steroid Biochem. Molec. Biol. Vol. 52, No. 3, p. 295, 1995

Elsevier Science Ltd. Printed in Great Britain

B O O K R E V I E W S

F r o m Molecu la r Biology to The rapeu t i c s , Vol. 5. Edited by B. A. Bernard and B. Shroot. (Pharmacology and the skin series, B. Shroot and H. Schaefer, Eds). Published 1993 by Karger, Basel. 196 pp. ISBN: 3-8055-5776-0. Price at publication: SFr 249.00/Dm 298.00/US$199.25.

This book contains recent information on the molecular events underlying dermatological diseases, as well as the pathological processes, especially in ichtyosis; epidermolysis bullosa; and photoaging. Regulation of keratin, collagen and elastin gene expression is described in detail and the identification of a functionally altered retinoic acid receptor in acute promyelocytic leukemia underlines the central role of nuclear transcription factors. The discovery of the steroid/retinoid receptor superfamily represents a landmark in the understanding of gene regulation and epidermal differentiation and is at the origin of the synthesis and development of a large number of retinoids exhibiting receptor selectivity. The probable key role of these receptors is reflected in their issue distribution and in the number of genes, the regulatory region of which harbors responsive elements for these receptors. A review of all of these nuclear receptor properties is provided by a number of specialists in this field. Finally, new approaches to therapy are explored, either by targetting a drug to a given receptor that specifically modulates gene expression and differentiation, or by using gene transfer technology to supplement the expression of a deficient gene.

This book would be useful for clinicians, and for people working in the fields of biology, molecular biology, and reproduction, as well as for advanced students.

Biology of Pla te le t -der i tved G r o w t h Fac tor , Vol. 5. Edited by B. Westermark and C. Sorg (Cytokines series, C. Sorg, Ed). Published 1993 by Karger, Basel. 168 pp. ISBN: 3-8055-5635-7. Price at publication: SFr 245.00/DM 293.00/£106.00/ US$196.00.

Recent years have witnessed a tremendous growth of data on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a cytokine which is likely to be an important signal~ substance in growth, development and tissue repair mechanisms. This volume brings together structural information on P D G F and its genes, important in vivo aspects including clinical implications, the possible role of P D G F and its receptors in development, as well as the mechanism of sis-transformation and the possible role of P D G F in oncogenesis. The chapter,s, written by experts in their field, cover the following topics in detail:

--Purification and structure of PDGF. - - T h e P D G F genes and their regulation. - - P D G F receptors: stnlcture and mechanism of action. - -Signal transduction via the P D G F beta-receptor. --Platelet-derived growxh factor in vivo. - - P D G F in the developing embryo. - - P D G F in cell transformation. - - P D G F and its receptors in human tumor cells.

This book would be u~eful for people working in the fields of oncogenes and growth factors, reproduction, molecular biology, biology, and biochemistry, as well as for advanced students.

T u m o r Necrosis Factor: Molecular and Cellular Biology and Cl in ica l Relevance . Edited by W. Fiers and W. A. Buurman. Published 1993 by Karger, Basel. 256 pp. ISBN: 3-8055-5676-4. Price at publication: SFr 323.00/DM 387.00/£161.50/US$258.50.

This book contains the proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Tumor Necrosis Factor and Related Cytokines, held in Veldhoven, The Netherlands, in May 1992. It provides a perspective on recent developments in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) research and considers future directions. T N F is now recognized as perhaps the most important cytokine in health and disease, and its involvement in a range of physiological and pathophysiological phenomena has now been fully ascertained and documented. This volu~ae provides an authoritative overview of the recent progress regarding all aspects of TNF, lymphotoxin, and their receptors, ranging from basic chemistry, gene structure, biochemical mechanism of action and cellular responses, to the involvement of T N F and its membrane-bound and soluble receptors in various autoimmune, infectious, and malignant cell diseases. Several authors describe the remarkable success rate that has been achieved by clinical approaches using TNF-ct in combinaEion with interferons and a chemotherapeutic drug in isolated limb perfusion.

The following main topics are covered in this book:

- - T N F and lymphotoxin, cell bound and soluble receptors. --Cellular mechanism of action. - - T N F and antagonists in pathophysical phenomena. - -Role of T N F in autoimmune diseases. - - T N F and antagonist~; in infectious diseases. - - T N F and cancer.

This book would be useful for clinicians, people working in the fields of physiology, pathophysiology, and molecular biology, as well as for advanced students.

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