Focusing on Cells

a common enzymatic cycle to turn the protein on and off. therefore learn how a set of proteins that regulate a wide Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders (2002). variety of cellular functions uses a common structural 805 pp. $59.95 domain in order to carry out their diverse functions. The text is clearly written and atomic structures illustrate key points. A second example of a conceptual synthesis It is an amazing time to be a cell biologist. Developments is the chapter on motor proteins (Chapter 39). The au-in technology allow us to image what had previously thors begin the chapter by stating that all three major been invisible, and the sequencing of genomes of model classes of molecular motors, kinesins, dyneins, and my-organisms offers a wealth of information for understand-osins, function to convert chemical energy to force pro-ing cellular function at the molecular level. Almost every duction and have similar mechanisms of action. The day, there are reports of new advances in understanding complexity of multiple families of motors that function the biochemical basis of disease, and atomic structures in diverse aspects of cell motility is quickly reduced to of cellular components grace the covers of journals with unifying principles. The authors then provide a lucid increasing frequency. Amidst all the excitement, how-discussion of the enzymatic cycle for myosin and com-ever, emerge two related problems—how does one keep pare it with that of kinesin and dynein. Structural infor-track of all this new information and how does one teach mation is used to show the surprising structural similar-this ever-expanding field to students? ity between the motor domains of kinesin and myosin One way to cope with this explosion of information is and how the motors interact with the filaments during to rely on up-to-date textbooks. A good text can function the crossbridge cycle. The section is complete and cur-as an indispensable tool for teaching students about cell rent. A third example where structural information is biology as well as a reference for working cell biologists used is in the section on the cell cycle, which begins struggling to keep up with new information. with an overview of the structure of CDKs and their Cell Biology by T.D. Pollard and W.C. Earnshaw is the interaction with cyclins, illustrating the basic principles newest entry into the competitive field of cell biology textbooks. The Pollard and Earnshaw book consists of of the interaction. by Lodish et …