Subcellular Biochemistry, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1979 Volume 6

This volume continues the tradition of SUBCELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY of trying to break down interdisciplinary barriers in the study of cell function and of bringing the reader's attention to less well studied, but nevertheless useful, biological systems. We start with an extensive article by T. P. Karpetsky, M. S. Boguski and C. C. Levy on the structure, properties and possible functions of polyadenylic acid. Apart from revealing a general lack of appreciation of many important aspects of the chemical properties of poly adenylic acid, the literature also shows that there is a great gulf between those who study the biological role of polyadenylic acid. and those who study its physicochemi­ cal properties. The article by Karpetsky and his colleagues is an attempt to overcome this lack of communication and to present an integrated view of the subject. The authors go into the subject in full detail and the more biologically inclined reader may on occasion have to reread his nucleic acid physical chemistry notes! However, the effort is worthwhile and the article is a timely reminder that we cannot treat nucleic acids as mere abstractions, but that they are complex organic macromolecules capable of equally complex, but nevertheless important, interactions. The next article is by J. Steensgaard and N. P. Hundahl M0ller and deals with computer simulation of density gradient centrifugation systems.

1 Structures, Properties, and Possible Biological Functions of Polyadenylic Acid.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Isolation and Detection of Poly(A).- 3. Messenger RNA and the 3?-Terminal Poly(A) Sequence.- 4. Possible Biological Functions of Poly(A).- 5. Structure of Poly(A).- 6. Interaction of Poly(A) with Monomers and Polymers.- 7. Conclusions.- 8. References.- 2 Computer Simulation of Density-Gradient Centrifugation.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Some Aspects of the Basic Theory of Gradient Centrifugation.- 3. The Indirect Approach to Simulation of Gradient Centrifugation.- 4. The Compartmental Approach to Simulation of Gradient Centrifugation.- 5. The Analytical Approach to Simulation of Gradient Centrifugation.- 6. General Discussion.- 7. References.- 3 Crown-Gall and Agrobacterium tumefaciens: Survey of a Plant-Cell-Transformation System of Interest to Medicine and Agriculture.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Overview of the Process of Plant-Cell Transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.- 3. Conditions for Plant-Cell Transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens.- 4. Properties and Products of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.- 5. Molecular Components, Genetic Systems, and Search for the Tumor-Inducing Principle (TIP) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.- 6. Attempts to Define the Crown-Gall Tumor Cell.- 7. On the Genetic Basis of the Formation of the Crown-Gall Tumor Cell.- 8. Medical and Agricultural Interest in Crown-Gall/ Agrobacterium Research.- 9. References.- 4 The Petite Mutation in Yeast.- 1. Discovery and Initial Characterization.- 2. Cytology and Ultrastructure of Petite Mutants.- 3. Mitochondrial DNA in Petite Mutants.- 4. Mitochondrial RNA in Petite Mutants.- 5. Mitochondrial Proteins in Petite Mutants.- 6. Induction of the Petite Mutation.- 7. Petite Mutants and Mitochondrial Genetics.-8. Petite-Negative Yeasts.- 9. The Petite Mutation: A Broader View.- 10. Appendix: Abbreviations and Terms.- 11. References.- 5 The Role of Lipids in the Structure and Function of Membranes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Properties of the Lipid Bilayer.- 3. Lipid-Protein Interactions and Lipid Organization in Membranes.- 4. Effects of Lipids and Their Physical State on the Properties of Biomembranes.- 5. Roles of Lipids in Membrane Functions.- 6. Summary.- 7. References.- 6 Dehydrogenases of the Plasma Membrane.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Extrinsic Dehydrogenases.- 3. Intrinsic Dehydrogenases.- 4. Relationship of Dehydrogenases to Membrane function.- 5. Conclusions.- 6. References.- 7 Transport Processes in Membranes: A Consideration of Membrane Potential across Thick and Thin Membranes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Biological and Lipid Bilayer Membranes.- 3. Membrane Potential.- 4. Summary.- 5. Appendix: Mathematical and Electrochemical Terms and Symbols.- 6. References.- Some Recent Books in Cell Biochemistry and Biology.- 1. Molecular Biology and Cell Organelles.- 2. Membrane Research.- 3. Plant Biochemistry and Morphology.- 4. Educational Texts.