546 Book Reviews

Biological Regulation and Development--Edited by R. F. Goldberger and K. R. Yamomoto. Hormone Action Volume 3B. 312pp. 1984. Plenum Press, New York. US$42.50.

This on-going series of volumes on biological regulation and development has so far published three volumes. Volume 1 was on gene expression, Volume 2 on molecular or- ganization and cell function and Volume 3 on hormone action is in two parts, 3A and 3B.

The present volume deals with: the evolutionary aspects of growth and developmental hormones: receptors for poly- peptide hormones: intracellular receptors: activation of transcription by cAMP receptor protein: effect of steroid hormones on gene transcription: insect hormones: steroid regulation of sexual reproduction in Achyla (water moulds): circadian rhythms:

The accent is on the mechanism of hormone action at the receptor-biochemical trigger stage.

Each review is well written with a good bibliography with full titles of the papers. The reader will find this volume a very useful and readable summary of the state of each topic surveyed.

The Squad Axon---Edited by P. F. Baker. Current Topics in Membranes and Transport Volume 22. 578pp. 1984. Aca- demic Press, Orlando. US$89. £62.50.

The present state of "squidology" is reviewed in this volume so that the reader can get up-to-date on the structure of the squid axon and axoplasm, biochemistry of axoplasm, trans- port of sugars, chloride, calcium and magnesium; the so- dium pump, regulation of axonal pH, cAMP production, sodium gating, potassium channels, noise analysis, mem- brane surface charge, optical signals, pharmacology, the giant synapse, and the relationship between axon and Schwann cells.

Though much of the information can already be found in the literature and reviews, this book has usefully gathered the data together. It would have been useful to have an extra chapter indicating the extent to which the squid axon differs in its properties from mammalian peripheral axon, other axonal conducting systems, and conduction in the mam- malian brain.

Practical lmmunoassay: the State of the Art--Edited by W. R. Butt. 318pp. 1984. Marcel Dekker, New York, US$55 (20% surcharge outside USA and Canada).

Immunoassay provides a sensitive and selective method of assay. In many cases kits are available for specific assays. In other cases it is necessary to develop the techniques oneself. This volume provides practical details how to carry out different types of immunoassay. Details are given of radio- iodination, enzyme immunoassay, fluoroimmunoassay, chemiluminescent labels, nephelometric methods, labeled antibody assay, monoclonal antibodies, measurement free hormones in the blood and quality control of assays.

This volume provides a useful survey (with practical details) of the techniques at present in use, and will show the reader how to extend his practical assay skills.

Monoclonal Antibodies and Functional Cell Lines. Progress and Applications--Edited by R. H. Kennett, K. B. Bechtol and T. J. McKearn. 426pp. 1984. Plenum Press, New York. US$49.50.

Since Kohler and Milstein reported in 1975 on the tech- niques of production of monoclonal antibodies (MAB) with

predicted specificity, there has been an explosion of research in, and applications of MAB. The MAB provide a powerful research tool for identifying a specific array of amino acids and/or carbohydrate moieties on more complex molecules.

MAB have allowed the location of two different alpha bungarotoxin binding sites (low affinity and high affinity) on the ACh receptor (AChR). Six MABs have been made that interact with the cholinergic ligand binding site. Other MAB block the function of the cholinergic ion channel. Anti-ChR MAB when injected into animals can cause symptoms very similar to those seen in patients with myaesthenia gravis (MG).

In MG the body develops a series of antibodies to the AChR and these can be detected and analysed by specific MABs. Though many children born to mothers having MG have antibodies to AChR, not all of these children later develop MG.

MABs can differentiate between isoenzymes such as the alkaline phosphatases from different body tissues, Allelic differences with possibly only a single amino acid substi- tution can be discriminated by different members of MAB raised against a particular enzyme. This will allow greater understanding of the genes encoding for specific enzymes. MAB can also be used for purification of enzymes by immuno-affinity chromatography, elucidation of the en- zyme surface topology, and study of the carbohydrate moieties of enzyme glycoproteins.

MAB can be linked to dyes to provide immuno- fluorescent localization of the cellular cytoskeleton (micro- tubules associated proteins MAP2, intermediate filament proteins, vimentin, fibronectin, myosin isozymes, tropomy- osin). This will aid understanding of amoeboid movement, phagocytosis and axoplasmic flow.

MAB have been raised to different neuronal surfaces and can distinguish between cells in the retina, between sensory cells in the leech ganglia, and between cells developing in the embryonic CNS. It appears that there are specific markers on neuronal surfaces that allow that different types of nerve cells to be identified by synapses and other cell surfaces.

MAB have been raised against human lymphocytes, against neuroblastomas and other solid tumors, against malarial parasites, Schistosoma, Leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, Filiarisis, and Toxoplasma.

MAB are clearly a powerful tool for analysing the form and dynamic function of tissues; the ability of tissues to recognise each other, and for the treatment of diseases. They will lead to a major advance in our understanding of biological systems and this volume presents a clear and exciting account of the present state of the subject.

Regulation of Target Cell Responsiveness--Edited by K. W. McKerns, A. Aaakvaag and V. Hansson. Volume 1,534pp. 1984. US$75. Volume 2, 548pp. 1984. US$75. Plenum Press, New York.

The tenth meeting of the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology was held in Norway in Sep- tember 1982. These two volumes are the proceeedings of this meeting. Volume 1 has the main subsections: Peptide hor- mones and target cell responses: Regulation of insulin responsiveness: Intracellular modulation of peptide hor- mone response: Gonadotropins and target cell response. Volume 2 discusses Hypothalamic hormones,--effects and regulation: Steroid receptors and cellular control: Hor- mones and growth regulation: Hormones and gene regu- lation; Antiandrogens and androgen insensitivity.

The two Volumes contain 42 chapters that present the frontiers of the different aspects of biochemical endo- crinology. Each chapter has a detailed bibliography with full titles of the references. In many cases there is a discussion after each section.

One recent development has been the use of thin fibres with an internal hollow of 500 or l l 0 0 p m . The wall