Biological Chemistry - Berezov, T. T., & Korovkin, B. F. 1998

Preface

Preface TO THE First Edition

Throughout human history, natural scientists and philosophers have sought to discover and understand The Essence and origin of life. However, many questions surrounding this perennial mystery of living systems remain unresolved, despite major breakthroughs in such fundamental natural sciences as mathematics, physics, and chemistry. It is an undeniable premise that defining the "chemical individuality" of living organisms is of paramount importance for understanding the vast diversity of life forms and their underlying nature. Biological chemistry has achieved remarkable success in elucidating the Chemical composition of Living Organisms (including humans) and The Nature of the chemical processes occurring both in the intact Organism and in isolated Organs and tissues at the cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels. The past two to three decades have been marked by a series of outstanding discoveries in biological chemistry and its subfields—such as enzymology, biochemical genetics, molecular biology, and Bioenergetics—that have elevated it to the rank of a fundamental scientific discipline, establishing biochemistry as a powerful tool for solving many critical problems in biology and medicine.

Further progress in biology and medicine is virtually unthinkable without applying the methodological principles of modern biological chemistry. Elucidating the mechanisms of storage and transmission of Genetic information, the principles of the Structural Organization of Proteins and Nucleic Acids, the mechanisms governing The Biosynthesis of these polymeric macromolecules, the molecular Pathways of Energy transformation in living systems, and the roles of Biomembranes and subcellular structures undoubtedly contributes to a deeper penetration into the deepest secrets of life and to clarifying the relationship between The Structure of individual Cell/6.html">Chemical Components of living matter and their biological Functions. Mastering these fundamental laws and principles of biological chemistry not only helps cultivate a dialectical-materialist perspective on life processes in future physicians, but also provides them with novel, previously unattainable opportunities to actively intervene in pathological processes. These circumstances dictate the necessity of studying biological chemistry for students at medical institutes.

This textbook is primarily intended for students of medical institutes and, in its structure and scope, generally corresponds to the biochemistry course curriculum approved by the Ministry of Health of the USSR. Certain chapters may also be utilized by students in the biology departments of universities and other higher education institutions where biochemistry is taught.

The primary objective of the textbook is to provide a comprehensive Overview of the fundamental achievements of biological chemistry in exploring The Chemical foundations of Life. Because knowledge of the Structure and function of chemical components in physiological processes plays a crucial role in shaping the PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL mindset of a future physician, the first part of the textbook is devoted to The chemical composition of living organisms. Specifically, it presents MODERN CONCEPTS OF the structural organization principles of proteins, nucleic acids, and Enzymes, Methods for the Isolation and Purification of Proteins, determination of their Primary Structure and molecular weight, and the application of advancements in enzymology to medicine. Considerably greater emphasis has been placed not only on the structure but also on the Biological Role of Vitamins, particularly their coenzyme functions, as well as the Practical significance of Antivitamins and antimetabolites. The chapter on Hormones has been significantly expanded to include new sections addressing the structure and function of Pituitary Hormones, releasing factors, and Prostaglandins.

Drawing upon the accumulated teaching experience in biological chemistry at the First Moscow Order of Lenin and Order of the Red Banner of Labour Medical Institute named after I.M. Sechenov, the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Order of Lenin and Red Banner Academy, and the P. Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University, as well as the feedback from numerous educators, the authors discuss the structure and function of Introduction/36.html">CARBOHYDRATES and Lipids alongside their METABOLISM In the second part of the textbook—under the section "Metabolism." This approach is fully justified, as students absorb the material much better when the chemistry and metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids are studied concurrently, immediately following the bioenergetic aspects of Biological Oxidation. A separate chapter is devoted to the latter topic.

The exceptional importance of the section "Protein Biosynthesis" for understanding and explaining many manifestations of life prompted the authors to dedicate an independent chapter to this rapidly developing branch of Protein Biochemistry. The biochemistry of various human organs and tissues is covered extensively. At the same time, the metabolism of Water and Mineral Substances is not presented in a separate chapter; instead, numerous issues concerning The Significance of water and The Role of minerals in vital processes are integrated into the biochemical sections covering the Kidneys and Urine, Liver, and Blood.

In view of the growing significance of biochemistry in healthcare practice, special attention is dedicated to the regulation and Pathology of carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and Amino acid metabolism, including inherited Metabolic Disorders, as well as the Practical Application of biochemical tests for disease Diagnosis, Treatment Selection, and efficacy monitoring.

The textbook is illustrated with figures, diagrams, and tables, some developed by the authors and others adapted from external sources, with several having been revised or simplified.

The authors consider it their pleasant duty to express their gratitude to Academics of the USSR Academy of Sciences S.E. Severin and A.E. Braunshtein, Academics of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences V.N. Orekhovich and A.N. Klimov, Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Medical Sciences Yu.A. Pankov, and Professors Yu.B. Filippovich, L.M. Ginodman, and G.S. Khachatryan for reviewing individual chapters of the manuscript and providing valuable comments.

The authors will be deeply appreciative of any critical feedback, useful advice, and suggestions regarding the content of this textbook.

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

In the second edition of the textbook *Biological Chemistry*, the authors have sought to reflect virtually all the latest breakthroughs in this rapidly evolving science since the publication of the first edition in 1982. Guided by numerous requests, suggestions, and critical remarks from Soviet researchers, educators, students, and foreign colleagues—partially published in the journals *Biochemistry*, *Ukrainian Biochemical Journal*, and *Biochemical Education* (1983, 1984)—the grateful authors, while agreeing with some proposals and differing on others, present this edition to the scientific, pedagogical, and student communities for their evaluation.

The textbook incorporates contemporary concepts concerning the STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS of protein, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, and lipid molecules. At the request of the majority of reviewers, the sections on the chemistry of Biopolymers, enzymes, vitamins, and hormones have been consolidated into the first part of the textbook. The chapters dedicated to vitamins, hormones, and enzymes feature updated information on the biological roles and Mechanisms of action of these compounds. While data on the Primary structure of certain Peptide and Protein hormones have been omitted, the latest findings on the biogenesis of prostaglandins and related compounds—such as prostacyclins, thromboxanes, and Leukotrienes—have been included. The chapter on "Enzymes" provides a detailed examination of medical enzymology, including selected topics in bioengineering enzymology.

The chapters dedicated to metabolism have been substantially revised in light of recent data. Given the ever-increasing importance of biochemistry in medicine, special emphasis is placed on the regulation and pathology of carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and amino acid metabolism, including inherited metabolic disorders. Comprehensive coverage is provided for several topics that have not always received adequate attention in standard biological chemistry courses (particularly in English-translated textbooks). This applies, in particular, to the unique Chemical Composition and metabolic processes in both health and disease within specialized tissues such as blood, liver, kidneys, Nervous Tissue, Muscle, and Connective Tissue.

The authors have endeavored to make the material as accessible as possible by aiming for a concise, precise, and clear presentation of the vast body of knowledge in modern biological chemistry and its future Prospects. Furthermore, the in-depth study and assimilation of the subject will undoubtedly be facilitated by rich illustrative material, including summary tables, metabolic cycle diagrams, charts, and figures—mostly original—that form an integral whole with the text.

Chapters 1–6 and 11–14 were written by T.T. Berezov, and Chapters 7–10 and 15–20 by B.F. Korovkin. Critical remarks, suggestions, and proposals concerning the content of the second edition will be received by the authors with gratitude.

PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION

Recently, a wealth of additional evidence has emerged demonstrating that biochemistry serves as a language for expressing concepts and phenomena not only in fundamental biological science but also in clinical medicine. Biochemistry, which explores the chemical foundations of living organisms in both health and disease, aims to establish The Link Between the Molecular structure and the biological function of the chemical components of living matter. Just as in the two previous editions, the authors have not attempted to cover every single section of the general biochemistry course. The primary goal of this edition is to preserve the core sections and concepts of biochemistry while presenting, in a concise format, the latest insights and facts regarding the biogenesis of Major Classes of Organic compounds in Human and Animal organisms.

Taking into account the ever-expanding volume of biochemical information, many sections have been rewritten or substantially revised. These include topics such as the structure and Functions of Proteins and nucleic acids, the Regulation of Gene Expression, the MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF DNA and RNA biogenesis, protein biosynthesis, Metabolic Regulation mechanisms, the role of hormone-receptor systems and intracellular second messengers in nerve and humoral signal Transduction, the Mechanisms of Enzymatic Catalysis, and the Metabolic Features of Nervous Tissue (Neurochemistry), liver, muscle, and connective tissue, among others.

A new chapter titled "Biomembranes and Bioenergetics" has been introduced, combining two previous chapters from the earlier editions: "Metabolism and Energy" and "Biological Oxidation."

New findings concerning the Chemistry of Carbohydrates and lipids are discussed in the first, specialized "chemical" part of the textbook, in accordance with suggestions from several colleagues and reviewers.

Recognizing the foundational role of biochemistry in medical theory and practice, the textbook places special emphasis on the regulation and pathology of metabolism, as well as the molecular underpinnings of human somatic and Hereditary diseases. In the chapter on "Enzymes," the section on medical enzymology has been significantly expanded. Topics addressing enzymopathology, the Application of Enzymes as diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents, and their use as tools in the biotechnological production of Pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs are thoroughly discussed.

Chapters 1–4, 7, 8, and 12–15 were written by Academician of the RAMS T.T. Berezov; Chapters 5, 6, 10, 11, and 16–22 by Corr. Member of the RAMS B.F. Korovkin; and Chapter 9 by Prof. A.A. Boldyrev.

The authors express their profound gratitude to numerous educators and students for their valuable advice and critical comments, the majority of which were incorporated into the preparation of this edition. New proposals, suggestions, and remarks will be welcomed with appreciation.