for a browser and the vital role of metal ions in biological systems is rapidly perceived.
Radicals are thought to be responsible for many biological processes causing ageing and degenerative disease. There are two chapters of particular interest in this regard. One, by Atwood and colleagues, discusses the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and another, by Multhaup and Masters, is concerned with radical generation and metal binding in neurological diseases and ageing.
The single topic given greatest coverage in this book is nitric oxide in biology. Thirteen years ago this topic did not exist. The award of a Nobel Prize to Furchgott, Murad and Ignarro in 1998 gave public recognition to one of the most remarkable discoveries of the last few decades. Nitric oxide is everywhere in living systems; we missed it because it is so small and has rather distinctive chemistry. The basic principles are described by Fukuto and Wink and nitric oxide modulation by Fung and colleagues. One of the more controversial aspects of nitric oxide activity, formation of the peroxynitrite ion by reaction with superoxide, is described by Koppenol, but readers should be aware that there are other views. The section on nitric oxide in the saliva of blood-sucking insects illustrates the widespread incidence of nitric oxide-related processes, and of particular value is a chapter by Fricker on nitric oxide scavengers as drugs. This book will be of great interest to all interested in the role of metal ions in biology.