D.M. Terrian, G.M. Cencetti (eds). Cancer Cell Signaling: Methods and Protocols
Authors: R. Marais
Journal: Annals of Oncology (2003)

For a mature field, cell signalling continues to move rapidly, providing greater insight into human diseases and identifying new therapeutic strategies against human diseases from infection to diabetes and cancer. Many of the advances in this field have been driven by the development of elegant new experimental approaches. Where would we be without western blotting, yeast two-hybrid analysis or transgenic animals? Thus, access to reliable methods and protocols is essential. Cancer Cell Signaling: Methods and Protocols, edited by David M. Terrian sets out to provide such protocols. Each chapter provides detailed protocols for specific methods and is divided into five parts: Abstract, Introduction, Materials, Methods, and Notes. As in any multiauthor book, some of the chapters are stronger than others, but all of the Materials, Methods and Notes sections are very good. Written in an easy to follow style, they are designed so that those with a basic understanding of biological research can perform the protocols described, even if they have not previously done so. The Notes are particularly helpful because they provide tips and help to trouble-shoot potential problems. For the most part, I would say that anyone following the protocols should be able to perform them successfully. Nevertheless, the book lacks a theme to tie the disparate protocols together. Although not claiming to be comprehensive, it should either have been much larger or more carefully focussed. In essence, this is a collection of potentially useful protocols, but does not cover the field in any depth. There is no apparent reason for the selection. For example, only one enzyme assay (phospholipases) is described and this looks incongruous amongst the other protocols. It would have been a more understandable inclusion if it were part of a section of enzyme assays for cell signalling research and it begs the question: why are there no protocols for other signalling enzymes? Also unhelpful is the fact that many of the chapters are focussed on a single application with little discussion of how to apply the methods to other problems. An extreme example is in Chapter 10, where we are shown how to coimmunoprecipitate c-Yes and occludin, which will surely only appeal to a small number of researchers. Other readers must glean useful information relevant to their own application for themselves. Finally, it is also surprising that there is no discussion of siRNA or micro-array approaches, both of which have extensive promise in this field. At the very least, they should have been included to provide a contrast to the antisense and differential display chapters that are included. Because of its rather unfocussed nature and limited subject coverage, this book is not an essential for all laboratories working in the field. It is better suited to well-stocked institutional libraries where students, clinical fellows and junior post-doctoral fellows will leaf through its pages to pick up useful tips, particularly from the Notes sections. However, those whose work is actually covered by one of the protocols included may like to keep a copy.