BOOK REVIEWS. THOMAS M. DEVLIN. Textbook of Biochemistry: with Clinical
Correlations,. 5th Edition. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2002: xxiv + ...
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2003; 67 (1) Article 28.
BOOK REVIEWS THOMAS M. DEVLIN. Textbook of Biochemistry: with Clinical Correlations, 5th Edition. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2002: xxiv + 1216 pp, 1061 figs, 223 tbls, $99.94 (hardcover). Reviewed by: Edward B. Roche, PhD College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska
Part II, Transmission of Information, is composed of 5 chapters. Chapter 4: “DNA Replication, Recombination, and Repair,” and Chapter 5: “RNA: Transcription and RNA Processing,” provide excellent discussions and illustrations of the named subject matter. The clinical correlations in these chapters are relevant to diseases produced by errors in nucleic acid biochemistry. Chapter 6: “Protein Synthesis: Translation and Posttranslational Modifications,” covers protein biosynthesis, targeting, posttranslational modification, degradation and turnover. There are 11 clinical correlations in this chapter including diseases relating to RNA mutations, and the absence of posttranslational modifications. Chapter 7 provides a complete discussion of recombinant DNA and biotechnology, and Chapter 8 covers regulation of gene expression in bacteria and eukaryotes.
This completely updated edition of this popular text has been reorganized for greater ease of use in courses. The editor has expressed a priority for applications in “professional school courses in biochemistry,” as well as upper level undergraduate and graduate level courses. The textbook’s 27 chapters are organized into 5 sections: Part I, Structure of Macromolecules; Part II, Transmission of Information; Part III, Functions of Proteins; Part IV, Metabolic Pathways and Their Control; and Part V, Physiological Processes. Clinical Correlations are included as sidebars in each chapter, and provide an excellent format for learning and applying biochemical concepts to disease. Each chapter is also accompanied by a set of questions and answers in multiple choice and short answer problem-solving formats. Part I, Structure of Macromolecules, consists of 3 chapters beginning with one on Eukaryotic Cell Structure that discusses the chemical composition and properties of the cellular environment. This chapter also covers buffers and the control of pH. The second chapter presents a nicely illustrated discussion of the composition and structure of DNA and RNA. The chapter also contains 8 clinical correlations including telomerase as a target for cancer chemotherapy, and topoisomerases in the treatment of disease. Chapter 3, the final chapter in this section, is entitled “Proteins I: Composition and Structure,” and provides an excellent discussion of amino acid and protein chemistry, including methods of characterizing and purifying proteins. This chapter includes 9 clinical correlations including hyperlipoproteinemias, glycosylated hemoglobin, and proteins as infectious agents.
Part III, Functions of Proteins, consists of 4 chapters beginning with Chapter 9, “Proteins II: Structure-Function Relationships in Protein Families.” The main subject areas of this chapter include antibody molecules, proteins with a common catalytic mechanism, DNA-binding proteins, and hemoglobin and myoglobin. Clinical correlations include the involvement of serine proteases in tumor cell metastasis and hemoglobinopathies. Chapter 10: “Enzymes: Classification, Kinetics, and Control,” presents a complete discussion of enzyme kinetics, coenzyme structures and functions, enzyme inhibition, allosteric control, and clinical applications of enzymes. The cytochromes P450 and nitric oxide synthases are discussed in Chapter 11, and include discussions of drug metabolism, drug interactions, CYP genetic polymorphisms, and relevant clinical correlations. Chapter 12, Biological Membranes: Structure and Membrane Transport, covers the basics of membrane structure-function, as well as transport mechanisms for passive diffusion, and facilitated active transport.
Corresponding Author: Edward B. Roche, PhD. University of Nebraska Medical Center, 986000 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198. Tel: 402559-4645. Fax: 402-559-5060. E-mail:
[email protected]
Part IV, Metabolic Pathways and Their Control, is composed of 8 chapters beginning with “Bioenerget-
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American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education 2003; 67 (1) Article 28. iron and heme metabolism, digestion and absorption of nutritional constituents, macronutrients, and micronutrients. The Appendix contains a review of organic chemistry oriented primarily toward reactions and functional group properties that are important in biochemistry.
ics and Oxidative Metabolism” (Chapter 13), and continuing with a discussion of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids (Chapters 14-18). The usual major pathways are covered in separate chapters from the special pathways, ie, special carbohydrate pathways and glycoconjugates are covered in their own chapter, as is the metabolism of special lipids, for example, phospholipids, prostaglandins and thromboxanes, and lipoxygenase. Purine and pyrimidine nucleotide metabolism is covered in Chapter 19. Chapter 20, “Metabolic Interrelationships,” discusses the metabolic interdependence of various tissues under certain nutritional and/or hormonal states. The respective clinical correlations consider the conditions of obesity, protein malnutrition, starvation, hyperglycemia, Type I and Type II diabetes, etc.
This fifth edition of the Textbook of Biochemistry: with Clinical Correlations presents an improved organization of subject matter over the previous edition. The chapters, authored by experts in their fields, have been appropriately updated. The clinical correlations, a major benefit of this text, discuss current therapeutic issues related to biochemical processes. The discussions are supplemented appropriately with excellent illustrations and figures. This textbook is recommended for use in professional and graduate level courses in biochemistry, and would be an appropriate addition to college and faculty members’ personal libraries.
Part V, Physiological Processes, consists of the last 7 chapters covering the areas of polypeptide hormones, steroid hormones, molecular cell biology,
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