Adenoviruses: Model and Vectors in Virus-Host Interactions
Doerfler, Walter, Petra Bohm (Eds.): Adenoviruses: Model and Vectors in Virus-Host Interactions. Virion-Structure, Viral Replication and Host-Cell Interactions. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, Vol. 272 452 pages, 62 figures, 8 tables Verlag: Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 2003. ISBN: 3-540-00154- 9 EUR 104.95; SFR 170.-; GBP 80.50; USD 129-
This plentiful and proliferous volume deals with progress in basic research on the molecular biology of adenoviruses. The material is presented in 3 major divisions: 1. virion and structure, 2. viral replication, 3. host-cell interactions. Adenovirology has attracted interest of many biological and biomedical scientists since it gave insight into fundamental cellular processes such as RNA splicing, transcriptional regulation, function of mammalian promoters, and oncogenesis. In recent years adenoviruses are on the agenda of many researchers as possible vectors for human somatic gene therapy. In this first of two volumes this topic is dealt with mainly in the interesting chapter on regulation of adenovirus packaging.
It is impossible even to list the contents of the 14 sophisticated chapters, certainly no text for the beginner or medical virologist with general interest, sometimes already prohibitive due to the extensive use of unexplained abbreviations. On the other hand, the chapter on adenovirus DNA replication by Liu et al. presents a superb introduction into the problem with a lucid table on proteins involved in adenovirus types 2 and 5 DNA replication, and instructive figures. The initial chapter on molecular evolution of adenoviruses with implications on viral taxonomy will be of interest to the biologist with general interests. In this context I might also mention the chapter on the abortive infection of Syrian hamster cells with human adenovirus type 12, a prelude to the problem of viral oncogenesis.
A book of this size has been carefully edited: few printing errors and other minor mistakes.
In summary this is a valuable volume for the advanced molecular virologist.
Hans J. Eggers (Koln)
Copyright Urban & Fischer Verlag Apr 2004