78 BOOK REVIEWS

EUKARYOTE CELL RECOGNITION: CON- CEPTS AND MODEL SYSTEMS

G. P. Chapman, C. C. Ainsworth and C. J. Chatham (Eds). Cambridge University Press: Cambridge. xi + 315 pages, E35.00.

The study of signalling processes and the molecular basis underlying these events has increased our understanding of many aspects of the cell biology of differentiation and development. This book, a collec- tion of papers from the 3rd Wye International Symposium on ‘Eukaryotic Cell Recognition’ (Wye College, Ashford, Kent, July 1987), provides the reader with a broad survey of the recent advances which have been made in unravelling diverse recogni- tion systems and the experimental techniques currently being used to investigate them.

The book comprises four sections, the first dealing with general concepts about self and non-self recogni- tion processes. The second and third parts examine these phenomena in single and multicellular organisms, and the last concerns mechanisms of recognition between different organisms. The topics discussed range from cell-cell and cell-substratum adhesion in mammalian cells, to sexual interactions in yeast and paramecia and incompatibility during self-pollination in certain flowering plants. Although these are mainly highly specialized papers, their diversity provides some useful insight and stimulating ideas for scientists with a more general interest in recognition systems.

IRWIN OLSEN Cell Enzymology Unit,

Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, London W6 7DW, U . K .

THE BIOLOGY OF SURFACTANT

Brian A. Hills. Cambridge University Press. ix + 408 pages, 89.50 (1988).

This book deals with the origin of surfactant, its relationship to surfaces, its chemical and physical properties and its role in the body. The author regards the book as iconoclastic particularly in his attack on the established ‘bubble’ hypothesis for the shape of the alveolus. A strong case is presented that the ‘water repellant’ model of the alveolus fits the known physical and physiological properties of the lung more convin- cingly. However all the evidence is fairly presented so that one is able to make up one’s own mind as to which is the most acceptable theory. The book concentrates on surfactant in the lung but the possibility that surfactant may also act as a lubricant in joints and between tissue surfaces and acts as a protective barrier for mucosae is explored.

This book can be thoroughly recommended, it is a good read, an intellectual stimulus, as well as a mine of information on surfactant.

BERNARD FOX Charing Cross and Westminster

Medical School, London, W6 8RF, U.K.

MEMBRANE PROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND ASSEMBLY

J . Rydstrom (Ed.). Cambridge University Press, vi + 248 pages, f30 ($US 47.50) (1988).

There have been enormous gains in knowledge in the last few years of the structure of membrane-associated proteins. Much of this information has been derived from exploitation of DNA cloning techniques to enable the deciphering of amino acid sequences. The structu- ral information has resulted in many instances, to a greater understanding of how the proteins function at the molecular level. Since membrane proteins are involved in such key processes as transport of ions and metabolites, in electron transport and oxidative phos- phorylation, and as acceptors and mediators for external stimuli, a leap in our understanding of how they function is a very important leap in our general understanding of cell biology. Such ideas provided the stimulus to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to arrange a Nobel symposium in September 1987 devoted entirely to discussion of recent developments in the biochemistry and molecular biology of membrane proteins. This volume provides a ‘hard copy’ version of about 30 of the contributions to the meeting.

The list of participants reveals that the meeting brought together the most important practitioners of the membrane protein art and virtually every aspect was covered from ion channels to light harvesting, taking in electron transport, ATP synthesis, and how proteins are targeted to their membrane site on the way. The article by Dr Stryer on visual transduction is particularly stimulating in the way that it discusses structural relationships between components of the retina and the signal coupling proteins of hormone regulated cascades.

This volume is very useful to me as it contains a huge amount of state-of-art information. Other biochemists and physiologists interested in this field are likely to find a use for this book also and at its affordable price it can be recommended for personal purchase rather than just as library material.

P. J. BUTTERWORTH Kings College London,

London, W8 7AH, U.K.