Introduction to Protein Structure » (2nd Edition)

Carl Branden, was educated at Uppsala University (Ph.D.) and the MRC Laboratory for Molecular Biology, Cambridge, where he was a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of J.C. Kendrew. He has pursued a career in basic research, science administration (as science advisor to the Swedish Government), and biotechnology. Formerly Research Director of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France, he is now at the Microbiology and Tumor Biology Center at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. A protein crystallographer with a distinguished academic career in research and teaching, he has made major contributions to the understanding of many biological structures, and is an editor of Structure.

John Tooze, was educated at Cambridge University (M.A.), London University (Ph.D.) and Harvard University (where he was a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of J.D. Watson). After several years in basic research, he moved principally into science administration and science publishing, notably as the executive secretary of the European Molecular Biology Organization, Heidelberg, Germany. He is currently Director of Support Services at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund Laboratories, London, and editor of EMBO Journal. A molecular biologist, his previous books include Molecular Biology of Tumor Viruses, The DNA Story (with J.D. Watson) and the very successful first edition of Recombinant DNA: A Short Course (with J.D. Watson and D.T. Kurtz).

Introduction to Protein Structure provides an account of the principles of protein structure, with examples of key proteins in their biological context generously illustrated in full-color to illuminate the structural principles described in the text. The first few chapters introduce the general principles of protein structure both for novices and for non-specialists needing a primer. Subsequent chapters use specific examples of proteins to show how they fulfill a wide variety of biological functions. The book ends with chapters on the experimental approach to determining and predicting protein structure, as well as engineering new proteins to modify their functions.

Candace J. Krepel

This text provides an excellent overview of protein structure and how structure and function interrelate. The previous edition was published in 1991. The purpose is to convey an understanding of protein structure as a basis for the understanding of biological reactions. The text is written at a content level consistent with advanced undergraduates or above. A basic knowledge of proteins and their biological function is assumed. Basic protein structure (primary, secondary, etc.) is reviewed, followed by elucidation of the structures of examples from various protein families (that is, proteins with common functions), and to demonstrate how function follows form. The editors use excellent interrelated illustrations that allow the reader to understand the three-dimensional aspects of the structures. Amino acid sequence is listed, secondary structure of alpha helixes and beta sheets are shown, then three-dimensional models and drawings demonstrate the tertiary structure. The editors use these to show how the proteins intersect and interact with the biological environment. They do an excellent job of showing proteins as being an important part of the living organism. The text offers an up-to-date look at what is known about protein structure and the methodologies for determining structure. The editors use well-chosen paradigms as examples. In this rapidly growing field, this new edition is welcome.

PART 1 BASIC STRUCTURAL PRINCIPLES 1. The Building Blocks 2. Motifs of Protein Structure 3. Alpha-Domain Structures 4. Alpha/Beta Structures 5. Beta Structures 6. Folding and Flexibility 7. DNA Structures PART 2 STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND ENGINEERING 8. DNA Recognition in Procaryotes by Helix-Turn-Helix Motifs 9. DNA Recognition by Eukaryotic Transcription Factors 10. Specific Transcription Factors Belong to a Few Families 11. An Example of Enzyme Catalysis: Serine Proteinases 12. Membrane Proteins 13. Signal Transduction 14. Fibrous Proteins 15. Recognition of Foreign Molecules by the Immune System 16. The Structure of Spherical Viruses 17. Prediction, Engineering, and Design of Protein Structures 18. Determination of Protein Structures