The Cell Periphery, Metastasis, and Other Contact Phenomena

pounds. This is followed by several papers discussing the synthesis and biochemistry of the different prostaglandins. Later in the symposium, there are two papers presenting the chemical pathways of the laboratory synthesis of the prostanoic acids. Although originally isolated from seminal fluid, the prostaglandins have been found in other organs. Several papers describe the isolation and purification of these compounds from kidney, lung, intestine, adrenal gland, and nervous tissue. Both in vivo and in vitro, the prostaglandins have a wide range of bio-logic functions. The book contains detailed reports of the effects of the prostaglandins on smooth muscle contraction, fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism, central nervous system activity, platelet clumping, cardiac activity, and blood pressure control. There is only occasional speculation about the clinical relevance of this interesting array of 'biologic activities. Because the book is a collection of papers written by the people who have done most of the research with the prostaglandins, it is a comprehensive and authoritative source. In addition, almost all the papers include a list of pertinent references. One serious omission is a concluding chapter that summarizes and puts into perspective the large amount of data presented at the Symposium. It is apparent that the understanding of the biochemistry and physiology of the prostaglandins is just beginning. This book may be outdated before too long. Recently, new literature has appeared for the student of cell contact phenomena. Reflecting the predilections and prejudices of their authors, and as revealed by their titles, these two volumes illustrate different approaches to one problem. Curtis attempts to unify what we know about the properties of the cell periphery, cell contacts, and morphogenetic cell movements, into a coherent picture. He fails, not because of his shortcomings, but as a result of the fragmentary nature of a good deal of the experimental data. The most useful feature of his book is the fact that he is highly critical and very careful to offer alternate explanations for seemingly simple and straightforward observations. Weiss reviews what is known of the cell surface in terms of composition and structure, and then proceeds to discuss the relationship between these properties and cell behavior in normal and malignant tissues. Weiss' contribution suffers from being unreadable and uncritical in many respects, and often serves as little more than a compilation of contradictory experiments. There is no polemic in his work, and consequently little excitement. Each book will …