Book review
C. J. Staiger, F. Balusˇka, D. Volkmann, P. W. Barlow (eds.): Actin: dynamic framework for multiple plant cell functions (Developments in plant and soil sciences, vol. 89). Kluwer, Dordrecht, 2000. IX, 663 pages. Hardcover EUR 272.50
From an evolutionary point of view, actin is a very old protein indeed. Next to the histones, it arguably is the most highly conserved protein of eukaryotic cells, dating back some two billion years, with potentially even more ancient relatives in the prokaryotic kingdom. Actin is, of course, best known as a structural protein that polymerizes into filaments referred to as F-actin which, in turn, can assemble – with the help of a host of associated proteins – into three-dimensional superstructures known as networks and bundles. Actin also is the substrate and track for a class of molecular motors, the myosins, of which nearly 20 different families with vastly different molecular anatomies outside the motor domain are known to date. But actin has additional roles – in the nucleus, for example, where at least in some cells it forms an elaborate system of fibers; in the metabolic compartmentalization of the cytoplasm, where many enzymes alter their activity when associated with actin filaments; or in signaling, where certain pathways depend on, or involve, actin and its associated proteins. In addition, actin interacts weakly and in poorly understood ways with a host of other cellular components, which earned it the dubious epithet of a “sticky” protein among biochemists. Biologists think about actin predominantly in the context of animal cells since actin-based processes such as muscle contraction or cell movement usually are the first things that come to mind. But actin is a prominent protein in plant cells, too, no matter whether one looks at unicellular green algae or sequoia tress. And since plant and animal cells are structured in different ways, have very different life styles, and cope with the environment by vastly different means, plant actins may reveal some noteworthy and unique properties, in addition to the common
principles that underlie all forms of actin organization and function. This is what the collection under review intends to reveal. In 36 contributions it covers nearly all aspects of actin biology in plants, from the genes to the filaments to the associated proteins to supramolecular interactions to motility to signaling to morphogenesis and pathogenicity. A wide spectrum indeed. Even technical aspects of actin visualization in plant cells are not forgotten. The breadth of topics does not leave much room for in-depth discussions – in fact, each chapter is, on average, just 14 pages long (not counting references), which really is not much in a smallformat book. But presumably the intention was to be concise rather than comprehensive, and to serve as an introduction to the many facets of plant cell actin. These facets include: 8 chapters on actin and some of its most prominent associated proteins, 3 chapters on interactions with other protein complexes and membranes, 3 contributions on intracellular motility and cytoplasmic streaming, and one each on mitosis, viral movement protein, fungal pathogens, and gravisensing. The core of the book, however, comprises 15 chapters on various aspects of the involvement of actin in plant cell morphogenesis. All the major model systems are represented, including giant green algae, pollen tubes, root hairs, stomata, and trichomes. These chapters are a rich source for an introduction into the many forms and functions of the actin cytoskeleton in plant cell morphogenesis. Because of some obvious parallels between tip growth in fungal hyphae and certain plant cells (pollen tubes or root hairs), a chapter on hyphal tip growth has also been included (which is good), but no attempt has been made to compare and contrast the two (which is regrettable). There is some unevenness in the depth with which some of the topics are covered: some chapters present a general overview, while others offer insightful analyses. However, this is to be expected in a multi-author volume. A nice aspect of this book is that it invites browsing. Just start with
238
any one chapter, and soon you may find yourself enticed to jump to another section to follow up on some aspect not discussed in the chapter you started with. Chapter-hopping would even be promoted with a good index, but this is missing – a shortcoming for which the editors will have to take some of the blame.
Book review
Actin acts in many different ways, and the acts of actin have profound consequences for plant cells. This collection covers most of them. M. Schliwa, University of Munich, Munich
Verleger: Springer-Verlag KG, Sachsenplatz 4–6, A-1201 Wien. — Herausgeber: Dr. D. Menzel, Botanisches Institut und Botanischer Garten, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Kirschallee 1, D-53115 Bonn, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. — Redaktion: Sachsenplatz 4–6, A-1201 Wien. — Satz und Umbruch: SNP Best-set Typesetter Ltd., Hong Kong. — Druck: Adolf Holzhausens Nachfolger, Holzhausenplatz 1, A-1140 Wien. — Verlagsort: Wien. — Herstellungsort: Wien. — Printed in Austria Offenlegung gem. § 25 Abs. 1 bis 3 Mediengesetz. Unternehmensgegenstand: Verlag von wissenschaftlichen Büchern und Zeitschriften. An der Springer-Verlag KG ist beteiligt: Springer-Verlag GmbH & Co KG, Heidelberger Platz 3, D-14197 Berlin, als Kommanditist zu 74,04%. Geschäftsführer: Rudolf Siegle, Sachsenplatz 4–6, A-1201 Wien.
