Glutathione
1
JUNE, 1955 341 are excluded, as are phenazines, condensed phenazines, and their aza andoloeues. The treatment. of each class of comnounds is sve chapter, enabling one to find any given compound with ease. Dr. J. C. E. Simpson was an authority in the field of hetero- cyclic chemistry and made many original contributions, especially in the field of einnolines. His excellent book is indispensable to anyone working with the types of compound covered and should be available for reference not only t,o organic chemists in the h e t erooyclio field, but to many others as well. THOMAS L. JACOBS U~~umnsmr or CALIFORNIA Loa A ~ a n ~ e s , C~~~ronm* a QUALITATIVE SCHNELLANALYSE NACH G. CHARLOT Edited by A. Sehleicher. Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin, 1954. vi + 82 pp. 13.5 X 19 cm. Paper bound. DM 7.80. THISbook is comprised of a 60-page translation of G. Charlot, D. B&ier, and R. Gsuguin, "Analyse QualitativeRitpide des Cab ions," Paris, 1950 (this portion has also been translated into English by Oesper as "Rapid Detection of Cations,'' Chem. Pub- lishing Co., 1954); and a 20-page section on the anions, based on an article by J. M. Odekerken in Z. anal. Chem., 131, 165 (1950). Charlot, et al., describe tests for about 38 metallic ions, and a feature of the book is that these embrace many "lees familiar" elements such as TI, U, Ga, Re, Ce, Th, Be, Mo, W, V, Ti, and Zr. The scale of work described is semimicro, and a minimum of apparatus is employed. The cation procedure involves no systematic group separations beyond the initial removal of silver and mercuraus halides, silica, complexing anions, eto.; hut certain preliminary tests are recom- mended. These include tests with ammonia in which the oolom of supernatant and/or precipitate are observed. Sodium sulfide is added to the same system and any color changes resulting from the conversion to sulfides are noted. An exploratory test with cupferron in 1.5 N hydrochloric acid is especially pertinent when such elements as Zr, Mo, Ga, V, Ti, ete., may be present. One or more good confirmatory test is given for each cation in terms of concise statements on the nature of the reaction, the re- agents, procedure, sensitivity, interferences, and miscellaneous remarks. A very judicious selection of the most selective, reason- ably sensitive, and reliable test has been made in most instances. Useful inorganic or classical techniques are never displaced by hieh-sensitivitv, but low-selectivity, ormnic reamnts. But use- fur organic reiients like dimethyl&ox~me, d--inon, cupferron, alpha-benzoinoxime, artho-phenanthroline, etc., are freely used wherever they present a real advantage. The authors' discrimi- nation in this crucial matter is usually above reproach. Odekerken's material on the anions includes about 24 species; many of the metals charaoteriaed in the previous section could be classed as anions, of course. To the usud preliminary anion- group tests with silver nitrate and barium chloride are added use- ful tests for oxidizing or reducing substances. Iodide is used to test for oxidants and iodine for reduotants. Permanganate is also used to check for weaker reducing agents. Again, the indi- vidual confirmatory tests me not novel but are usually well chosen. The typography is good and there seem to be relatively few errors of fact, though the erroneous ascription of the rhenium (IY) thiocyanate color to perrhenate (VII) ion was noted. Some of the pedagogical advantages claimed by Charlot for his nonseparetian scheme may not find wide agreement in this country. But viewed as a practical approach to finding out what is in an unknown material with a minimum of time and fuss, the Charlot approach is excellent. CHARLES L. RULFS Umvnnsrn OF M~cmam ANN ARBOR, MIOHI(I*N a GLUTATHIONE Prweedings of the Symposium held at Ridgefield, Connecticut, November, 1953. Edited by S. Colowick, A. Lazarow, E. Rocker, D. R. Schworz, E. Stadtman, and H. Waelsch. Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1954. x + 341 pp. 62 figs. Tables. 15 X 23.5 cm. $7.50. GLUTATHIONE was first prepared from yeast in crystalline con- dition by F. G. Hopkins in 1921 and its structure was determined a few years litter. The widespread occurrence of this tripeptide in animal and plant cells, its unique structure, and ease of oxide tion suggested an important physiological role for it. The early workers concluded that glutathione could not function as a hy- drogen carrier for the bulk of tissue oxidations and that its funo- tion in oxidation and reduction was mare specidiied. To 6nd the exact significance of glutathione has been the subject of in- tensive research since its discovery. This symposium reviews the current thinking with respect to thin interesting substance. The many experimental approaches to this problem that have been made in recent years are indicated by the variety of topics discussed at this symposium. Twenty-nine papers were pre- sented under the following main headings: (1) Properties and Or- ganic Chemistry, which include mereaptans a d disulfides, thiol- thiolester formation, as well as the chemistry of glutathione; (2) The Methods for Detection and Assay of Glutathione and Sulf- hydryl Compounds, in which paper chromatography, histochemi- cal experiments, and the classical methods are described; (3) Biochemical Mechanisms. In this part, enzymatic oxidation, biosynthesis of glutathione, trmspeptidation reactions, glutamyl transfer, glutathione as a coenzyme, and SH and growth are in- cluded; (4) Physiological Actions and Clinical Aspects. The rels, tion of glutathione to hormone action and diabetes, glutathione in radiation injury, and glutathione in human disease are among the topics discussed. Fifty-seven individuals are listed as con- tributors to the symposium. The value of this book rests on the bringing together in one volume of the observations and ideas that have accumulated over the years from many areas of biological science. The subject of sulfhydryl chemistry is one of great interest to many investigators and our knowledge of glutathione and ite functions undoubtedly will expand. This book, valuable as it is today, will then begin to be of historical interest only. It would be a great service to scientific readers if publishers of symposia of this nature would appreciate the transient character of such progress reports and msnufxture a hook that could he reasonably priced. The read- er's investment then would be commensurate with its probable use. P. A. CAJORI e CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS I. Prigogine and R. Defay, Professors in the UniversitC. Libre de Bruxelles. Translated by D. H. Everett, University of Bristol. Longmans, Green and Co.. New York, 1954. xxrii + 543 pp. 152 figs. 40 tables. 15.5 X 24 cm. $12.50. To QUOTE from the Introduction: "This book is the fint vol- ume of a "Treatise on Thermodynamics" based on the methods of Gihbs and de Dander. It deals with the following topics: fundamental theorems, homogeneous systems, heterogeneous systems, stability and moderation, equilibrium displacements and equilibrium transformations, solutions, meotropy, and in- different states. The second volume deals with surface tension and adsorption while the third and last will be concerned with irreversible phenamenn." This volume covers the orecedine list of tooics in 29 chsotera and a preliminary discus& on noration (inciuding a long kt of symbols) of 11 pages. De Donder and his "Brussels school" have developed a new for-
Transcript of Glutathione
JUNE, 1955 341
are excluded, as are phenazines, condensed phenazines, and their aza andoloeues. The treatment. of each class of comnounds is s v e
chapter, enabling one to find any given compound with ease. Dr. J. C. E. Simpson was an authority in the field of hetero-
cyclic chemistry and made many original contributions, especially in the field of einnolines. His excellent book is indispensable to anyone working with the types of compound covered and should be available for reference not only t,o organic chemists in the h e t erooyclio field, but to many others as well.
THOMAS L. JACOBS U~~umnsmr or CALIFORNIA Loa A ~ a n ~ e s , C ~ ~ ~ r o n m *
a QUALITATIVE SCHNELLANALYSE NACH G. CHARLOT
Edited by A. Sehleicher. Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin, 1954. vi + 82 pp. 13.5 X 19 cm. Paper bound. DM 7.80.
THIS book is comprised of a 60-page translation of G. Charlot, D. B&ier, and R. Gsuguin, "Analyse QualitativeRitpide des Cab ions," Paris, 1950 (this portion has also been translated into English by Oesper as "Rapid Detection of Cations,'' Chem. Pub- lishing Co., 1954); and a 20-page section on the anions, based on an article by J. M. Odekerken in Z. anal. Chem., 131, 165 (1950).
Charlot, et al., describe tests for about 38 metallic ions, and a feature of the book is that these embrace many "lees familiar" elements such as TI, U, Ga, Re, Ce, Th, Be, Mo, W, V, Ti, and Zr. The scale of work described is semimicro, and a minimum of apparatus is employed.
The cation procedure involves no systematic group separations beyond the initial removal of silver and mercuraus halides, silica, complexing anions, eto.; hut certain preliminary tests are recom- mended. These include tests with ammonia in which the oolom of supernatant and/or precipitate are observed. Sodium sulfide is added to the same system and any color changes resulting from the conversion to sulfides are noted. An exploratory test with cupferron in 1.5 N hydrochloric acid is especially pertinent when such elements as Zr, Mo, Ga, V, Ti, ete., may be present.
One or more good confirmatory test is given for each cation in terms of concise statements on the nature of the reaction, the re- agents, procedure, sensitivity, interferences, and miscellaneous remarks. A very judicious selection of the most selective, reason- ably sensitive, and reliable test has been made in most instances. Useful inorganic or classical techniques are never displaced by hieh-sensitivitv, but low-selectivity, ormnic reamnts. But use- fur organic reiients like dimethyl&ox~me, d--inon, cupferron, alpha-benzoinoxime, artho-phenanthroline, etc., are freely used wherever they present a real advantage. The authors' discrimi- nation in this crucial matter is usually above reproach.
Odekerken's material on the anions includes about 24 species; many of the metals charaoteriaed in the previous section could be classed as anions, of course. To the usud preliminary anion- group tests with silver nitrate and barium chloride are added use- ful tests for oxidizing or reducing substances. Iodide is used to test for oxidants and iodine for reduotants. Permanganate is also used to check for weaker reducing agents. Again, the indi- vidual confirmatory tests me not novel but are usually well chosen.
The typography is good and there seem to be relatively few errors of fact, though the erroneous ascription of the rhenium (IY) thiocyanate color to perrhenate (VII) ion was noted.
Some of the pedagogical advantages claimed by Charlot for his nonseparetian scheme may not find wide agreement in this country. But viewed as a practical approach to finding out what is in an unknown material with a minimum of time and fuss, the Charlot approach is excellent.
CHARLES L. RULFS Umvnnsrn OF M ~ c m a m ANN ARBOR, MIOHI(I*N
a GLUTATHIONE
Prweedings of the Symposium held at Ridgefield, Connecticut, November, 1953. Edited by S. Colowick, A. Lazarow, E. Rocker, D. R. Schworz, E. Stadtman, and H. Waelsch. Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1954. x + 341 pp. 62 figs. Tables. 15 X 23.5 cm. $7.50.
GLUTATHIONE was first prepared from yeast in crystalline con- dition by F. G. Hopkins in 1921 and its structure was determined a few years litter. The widespread occurrence of this tripeptide in animal and plant cells, its unique structure, and ease of oxide tion suggested an important physiological role for it. The early workers concluded that glutathione could not function as a hy- drogen carrier for the bulk of tissue oxidations and that its funo- tion in oxidation and reduction was mare specidiied. To 6nd the exact significance of glutathione has been the subject of in- tensive research since its discovery. This symposium reviews the current thinking with respect to thin interesting substance.
The many experimental approaches to this problem that have been made in recent years are indicated by the variety of topics discussed at this symposium. Twenty-nine papers were pre- sented under the following main headings: (1) Properties and Or- ganic Chemistry, which include mereaptans a d disulfides, thiol- thiolester formation, as well as the chemistry of glutathione; (2) The Methods for Detection and Assay of Glutathione and Sulf- hydryl Compounds, in which paper chromatography, histochemi- cal experiments, and the classical methods are described; (3) Biochemical Mechanisms. In this part, enzymatic oxidation, biosynthesis of glutathione, trmspeptidation reactions, glutamyl transfer, glutathione as a coenzyme, and SH and growth are in- cluded; (4) Physiological Actions and Clinical Aspects. The rels, tion of glutathione to hormone action and diabetes, glutathione in radiation injury, and glutathione in human disease are among the topics discussed. Fifty-seven individuals are listed as con- tributors to the symposium.
The value of this book rests on the bringing together in one volume of the observations and ideas that have accumulated over the years from many areas of biological science. The subject of sulfhydryl chemistry is one of great interest to many investigators and our knowledge of glutathione and ite functions undoubtedly will expand. This book, valuable as i t is today, will then begin to be of historical interest only. It would be a great service to scientific readers if publishers of symposia of this nature would appreciate the transient character of such progress reports and msnufxture a hook that could he reasonably priced. The read- er's investment then would be commensurate with its probable use.
P. A. CAJORI
e CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS
I. Prigogine and R. Defay, Professors in the UniversitC. Libre de Bruxelles. Translated by D. H. Everett, University of Bristol. Longmans, Green and Co.. New York, 1954. xxrii + 543 pp. 152 figs. 40 tables. 15.5 X 24 cm. $12.50.
T o QUOTE from the Introduction: "This book is the fint vol- ume of a "Treatise on Thermodynamics" based on the methods of Gihbs and de Dander. It deals with the following topics: fundamental theorems, homogeneous systems, heterogeneous systems, stability and moderation, equilibrium displacements and equilibrium transformations, solutions, meotropy, and in- different states. The second volume deals with surface tension and adsorption while the third and last will be concerned with irreversible phenamenn."
This volume covers the orecedine list of tooics in 29 chsotera and a preliminary discus& on noration (inciuding a long k t of symbols) of 11 pages.
De Donder and his "Brussels school" have developed a new for-
