Partition of Cell Particles and Macromolecules

In the first chapter, R. 0. Rahm summarizes information on the various photoproducts that can be produced in DNA, such as pyrimidine base dimers, pyrimidine adducts, hydrates and products formed with sensitizers such as the base analogue bromouracil, or dye sensitizers such as acetophenone or acridines. The effects of uv light on bacteria and the mechanism of excision repair of pyrimidine dimers is described by B. A. Hamkalo and in protozoa by G. L. Whitson. The chapter on the effects of radiations on animals and on mammalian cell systems by C. J. Wust, W. S. Riggsby, and G. L. Whitson summarizes observations on radiation-induced chromosome aberrations, radiosensitivity at different stages of the cell cycle, effects in animals on cell renewal systems, circulating blood cells, bone marrow stem cells, and on the immune response. Repair mechanisms in animal cells have been explored using highly sensitive methods for detecting the incorporation of bromouracil into small single-strand repair patches in DNA. Repair defects have been found in cells from patients suffering from the heritable disease, Xeroderma pigmentosum, that causes great sensitivity to sunlight. The book lives up to its title in presenting many of the concepts of radiation biology and gives well chosen lists of references up to 1970. Other chapter headings include methods of uvand laser-irradiation and effects on sea urchin eggs and plants. It is most to be recommended for the chapters on photoproducts and radiation actions on bacteria and animal cells. The emphasis is generally descriptive and phenomenalogical with relatively little on the relevant molecular biology and biochemical studies. The book is a useful text and source of references for medical and graduate education.