Foundations of Structural Biology

by Leonard J. Banaszak

Overview

Imagine trying to understand an engine without visualizing its moving parts. Biological processes involve far more complex chemical reactions and components than any engine. Furthermore, the parts work together to do many more functions than an engine which sole task is to turn a shaft. Understanding the implications of the three-dimensional coordinates for a molecule with several thousand atoms requires an understanding of, and practice with, 3D imaging. For many biologists, this means acquiring a whole new set of skills. Foundations of Structural Biology is aimed at helping the reader develop visualization skills for protein or DNA segments, while also describing the fundamental principles underlying the organization and interaction between these complex molecules.

Key Features* Explains how to use coordinate databases and atomic coordinates of biological macromolecules* Teaches the skills of stereoviewing* Contains computer-generated stereographics* Describes the principles of symmetry and handedness in proteins and DNA* Introduces metal and lipid binding proteins and DNA-protein interactions* Explains the principles involved in understanding secondary and quaternary structure * Includes coverage of protein-metal, protein-nucleic acid, and protein-lipid interactions

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080521848
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	02/08/2000
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	168
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Banaszak, Leonard J. (Univ of Minnesota)

Table of Contents

Introduction to Protein Structure.Solid State and Solution Methods for Determining Biological Macromolecular Structure.Crystallographic Coordinates and Stereodrawings.Properties of Biomacromolecules in the Crystalline State.Quaternary Structure of Proteins.Secondary Structure of Proteins.Domains and Super-secondary Structure.Conformational States in Crystal and NMR Structures.Hydrogen Bonds and Water Molecules in Crystalline Proteins.Protein and Nucleic Acid Complexes.Metal Ions Bound to Proteins.Lipid Protein Interactions.

Editorial Reviews

2 Stars from Doody

This is an introduction to structural biology. It is intended as an introduction to concepts of structural biology with a nearly exclusive emphasis on proteins. This could serve as a primer for investigators unfamiliar with the field or as a text for students taking an introductory course. An introduction to protein structure is followed by chapters on methods for structure analysis, secondary, supersecondary, and quaternary structure, the role of hydrogen bonds, and a series of chapters on interactions of proteins with nucleic acids, lipids, and metals. As information from the genome project becomes available, knowledge of three-dimensional structures assumes greater importance. At the very least, the modern biologist should be conversant with approaches to structural analysis, aware of their limitations, and able to utilize the methodology when appropriate. Hence, the utility of a text in this area is clear. There are several limitations to this volume. Few procedures other than X-ray crystallography receive much attention. NMR is barely mentioned while circular dichroism, infra-red, and fluorescence spectroscopy are omitted. In addition, there is insufficient attention given to posttranslational modifications, present in about half of all mammalian proteins. These shortcomings, together with relatively poor stereo illustrations, lessen my enthusiasm. A useful feature, however, is the information provided that enables readers to access the several structural databases central to this area.

Eugene A. Davidson

"This well-written book describes the principles of modern structural biology as derived from the analysis of the hardcore data from X-ray diffraction and NMR studies of protein structure. ...Addressed to the average student of disciplines such as biology or chemistry, the main objective of the book is to provide the learning mechanisms for visualizing proteins and nucleic acids in terms of their three-dimensional conformations. Throughout the book, there is coherent advice encouraging the reader to use computer tools in order to gather and manipulate information from structural biology databases, and to learn how to extract useful information from the intrinsic comp1exity of structural studies complemented with several well-chosen problems proposed at the end of each chapter....this book is worth reading for students and young researchers who are interested on macromolecular biostructures and who wish to learn how to look at them."—BIOCHIMIE

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Eugene A Davidson, PhD (Georgetown University School of Medicine)
Description: This is an introduction to structural biology.
Purpose: It is intended as an introduction to concepts of structural biology with a nearly exclusive emphasis on proteins.
Audience: This could serve as a primer for investigators unfamiliar with the field or as a text for students taking an introductory course.
Features: An introduction to protein structure is followed by chapters on methods for structure analysis, secondary, supersecondary, and quaternary structure, the role of hydrogen bonds, and a series of chapters on interactions of proteins with nucleic acids, lipids, and metals. As information from the genome project becomes available, knowledge of three-dimensional structures assumes greater importance. At the very least, the modern biologist should be conversant with approaches to structural analysis, aware of their limitations, and able to utilize the methodology when appropriate. Hence, the utility of a text in this area is clear.
Assessment: There are several limitations to this volume. Few procedures other than X-ray crystallography receive much attention. NMR is barely mentioned while circular dichroism, infra-red, and fluorescence spectroscopy are omitted. In addition, there is insufficient attention given to posttranslational modifications, present in about half of all mammalian proteins. These shortcomings, together with relatively poor stereo illustrations, lessen my enthusiasm. A useful feature, however, is the information provided that enables readers to access the several structural databases central to this area.

Doody's Review Service