BIOCHEMISTRY - L. Stryer - 1984

VOLUME 1

BIOCHEMISTRY

Class="center">L. Stryer, in 3 volumes

Translated from English by M.D. Grozdova, Cand. Sc. (Biology),

Edited by Academician S.E. Severin

VOLUME 1

Written by an American scientist, this book examines the fundamental problems of biochemistry and molecular biology at the most advanced scientific level. It is published in Russian in three volumes.

The first volume covers The Structure of biological macromolecules, the generation, transformation, and storage of energy in The Cell, the STRUCTURE AND Functions of Enzymes and other biologically active Proteins, as well as "molecular" diseases.

Intended for biochemists, molecular biologists, physiologists, chemists, and medical professionals, as well as undergraduate and graduate students and instructors in biological, chemical, and medical fields.

Preface by the Translation Editor

Stryer’s book is an original, highly successful textbook on general dynamic biochemistry that can be warmly recommended to university students majoring in biochemistry, graduate students, and instructors teaching biochemistry in various higher education and specialized secondary institutions. The book provides an excellent Overview of the dynamics of transformations of biologically important compounds and thoroughly analyzes the enzymatic foundations of METABOLISM and Energy Exchange. Despite the thoroughness of presentation and The complexity of the modern data on biochemistry and molecular biology included, the material is presented in such a straightforward and engaging manner, accompanied by such remarkable illustrations, that it is easy to grasp even for a relatively unprepared reader. It is not possible to use Stryer's book as a biochemical reference manual: it lacks tables characterizing the composition of Blood, urine, Organs, and Tissues, and it does not describe the properties and structures of various biologically important compounds; instead, it rigorously and systematically examines and evaluates the physiological significance of their transformations. There are, in my view, some omissions. For instance, the book does not mention the α- and ω-Oxidation of Fatty acids, whereas describing impaired ω-oxidation would provide an opportunity to highlight one of the fascinating hereditary disorders and discuss hydroxylation processes, which play a crucial role in various metabolic reactions. In many other cases, Examples of hereditary disorders associated with the deficiency of specific enzymes are appropriately included. In this regard, the book is of undeniable interest to physicians wishing to Supplement their biochemical education.

It is a great satisfaction to note that in recent years, following A. Lehninger's excellent textbook, translated biochemical literature has been enriched by such fundamental manuals as Biochemistry by D. Metzler (Moscow: Mir, 1980) and Fundamentals of Biochemistry by A. White, F. Handler, E. Smith, et al. (Moscow: Mir, 1981). Doubtless, Stryer's textbook will take a rightful and honored place among these books, quickly gain popularity among interested readers, and thus play an important role in disseminating and deepening biochemical knowledge in our country.

S. E. Severin

Preface to the Second Edition

Biochemistry has advanced at an astonishing pace in recent years. This progress has broadened our understanding of the Molecular Basis of life and stimulated The Development of many new fields of research. Key areas of modern biochemistry include DNA nucleotide sequencing, the creation and cloning of novel Gene combinations, the elucidation of Metabolic Regulation mechanisms, and The Study of membrane transport and energy Transduction. One of my primary objectives in preparing this edition was to incorporate findings obtained after the publication of the first edition.

I have sought to improve the quality of the book as a textbook by integrating new material into the Discussion of general themes wherever possible, and by returning repeatedly to core principles. I have also aimed to present biochemistry in a way that conveys its intellectual power and beauty.

I am grateful to Thomas Emery, Henry Epstein, Alexander Glazer, Roger Kornberg, Robert Martin, and Geoffrey Sklare for their advice, critical comments, and support during the preparation of this edition. Robert Baldwin, Charles Cantor, Richard Caprioli, David Eisenberg, Alan Fersht, Robert Fletterick, Herbert Friedmann, Horace Jackson, Richard Keynes, Sung-Hou Kim, Aaron Klug, Arthur Kornberg, Daniel Koshland, Samuel Latt, Vincent Marchesi, David Nelson,

Garth Nicolson, Vernon Oi, Robert Renthal, Carl Rhodes, Frederic Richards, James Rothman, Peter Sargent, Howard Schachman, Joachim Seelig, Eric Shooter, Elizabeth Simons, James Spudich, Theodore Steck, Thomas Steitz, Judith Stenn, Robert Trelstad, Christopher Walsh, Simon Whitney, and Bernhard Witkop have also provided valuable advice.

Patricia Mittelstedt edited both editions of the book. I deeply appreciate her contributions and critical feedback. I am grateful to Donna Salmon for her remarkable artwork. Many superb electron micrographs were provided by David Slayton, David Dressler, John Heuser, Lynn Mercer, Kenneth Miller, George Palade, Nigel Unwin, and Robley Williams. Betty Hogan typed the manuscript and was an indispensable assistant in preparing it for publication. Cary Leijden and Karen Marzotto carefully proofread the galleys. I would also like to thank Michael Graves for his exceptional photography.

My wife Andrea and my sons Michael and Daniel willingly agreed to welcome this book into our family. I am deeply grateful to them for their patience and optimism. Andrea provided much helpful advice regarding the exposition style and Organization of material in this edition, as she did in the previous one.

I am deeply touched by the many letters from readers regarding the first edition. Their insights and criticisms have proved extremely useful and have served as a stimulus for further work. I look forward to continuing this dialogue with readers in the future.

August 1980

Lubert Stryer

Preface to the First Edition

This book is the outcome of my experience in teaching biochemistry to advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and medical students at Yale and Stanford. My aim was to present the General Principles of biochemistry in a way that enables the reader to grasp core concepts and master biochemical terminology. Furthermore, I wanted to convey the excitement and spirit of biochemical research and discovery. The fundamental principles of biochemistry are explored through the following major themes:

1. Conformation—illustrated by the relationship between the three-dimensional structure of proteins and their biological activity.

2. Generation and storage of energy.

3. Biosynthesis of macromolecular precursors.

4. Information—storage, transmission, and expression of Genetic information.

5. Molecular physiology—the interplay between information, conformation, and metabolism in physiological processes.

The elucidation of the three-dimensional structures of proteins, Nucleic Acids, and other Biomolecules in recent years has profoundly advanced our understanding of the molecular foundations of life. In presenting this aspect of biochemistry, I have made extensive use of molecular models to provide a vivid sense of macromolecular architecture and dynamics. Another inspiring and remarkable dimension of biochemistry is its ever-growing connection with medicine. I have included numerous examples of this relationship. Discussions of molecular diseases, such as Sickle-Cell Anemia, or the Mechanisms of action of drugs like penicillin, greatly enrich the teaching of biochemistry. Finally, I have sought to outline some of the exciting new frontiers in modern biochemical research, such as the molecular basis of excitability.

In the preparation of this book, I have benefited greatly from the advice, criticism, and support of many colleagues and students. Leroy Hood, Arthur Kornberg, Jeffrey Sklar, and William Wood provided invaluable guidance regarding the overall STRUCTURE OF THE book. Richard Caprioli, David Cole, Alexander Glazer, Robert Lehman, and Peter Lengyel reviewed major portions of the manuscript and offered numerous helpful suggestions. I am deeply indebted to Frederic Richards for sharing his insights on macromolecular conformation and for detailed advice on how best to portray three-dimensional structures. Derick Bounds, Thomas Broker, Jack Griffith, Hugh Huxley, and George Palade generously provided remarkable electron micrographs. I am also very grateful to Richard Dickerson, David Eisenberg, Moisés Eisenberg, Henry Epstein, Joseph Fruton, Michel Goldberg, James Grisolia, Richard Henderson, Harvey Herschman, David Hogness, Dale Kaiser, Samuel Latt, Susan Löwy, Vincent Marchesi, Pierre Moore, Allan Oseroff, Jordan Pober, Russell Ross, Edward Reich, Mark Smith, James Spudich, Joan Steitz, Thomas Steitz, and Alan Waggoner, whose advice and critical feedback greatly assisted me during the preparation of this book.

I wish to express my gratitude to the National Science Foundation for providing the funding that enabled me to begin writing this book. During the most challenging times, Robert Glazer, Terran Kinnan, and Quigg Newton offered vital assistance. One of my primary goals was to achieve a complete synthesis of text and illustration, depicting chemical transformations and spatial structures as vividly and intuitively as possible. Hence, I am especially indebted to Donna Solmon, John Foster, and Jane Foster for their artwork, graphs, and diagrams. Many individuals at Yale University contributed to the completion of my work. I am particularly grateful to Margaret Benton and Sharen Westin for typing the manuscript, William Pollard for photographing the molecular models, and Martha Scarff for generating computer-rendered images of molecular structures (which served as the basis for many of the illustrations). I also received invaluable assistance from the staff of the Science Library, headed by John Harrison.

A significant portion of this book was written in Aspen. I am deeply indebted to the Aspen Center for Physics and the Institute for Pathobiology for graciously hosting me over several summers. I cherish fond memories of stimulating discussions on biochemistry and the molecular aspects of medicine, held on the beautiful grounds of the Institute for Pathobiology or during walks through the picturesque surrounding landscape. Attending concerts in Aspen was also a wonderful source of relaxation, especially after a full day of intensive work.

I am sincerely grateful to my wife, Andrea, and my children, Michael and Daniel, for their support, patience, and encouragement throughout the writing of this book. They truly participated in its birth, a process that proved considerably longer than anticipated. Andrea offered valuable advice on style and organization, and she also brought to my attention a remark by the 13th-century Chinese scholar Tai T’ung (The Six Scripts: Principles of Chinese Writing): "If I had waited for perfection, I would never have finished the book."

I welcome any comments and feedback from readers.

October 1974

Lubert Stryer