Although as part of my general plan, this book is a continua- tion of my earlier monograph "Protein Biosynthesis and Problems of Ontogenesis,"* published in 1963, in all other respects it is an independent work. The earlier monograph was devoted to the analysis of many of the aspects of the problem of protein biosynthesis, and problems of inheritance and development were discussed only insofar as they are derivatives of the problems of biosynthesis. The complex act of protein biosynthesis, comprising autore- production of the genetic material (DNA), formation of the templates of protein synthesis (messenger RNA), synthesis of amino acid carriers (transfer RNA), formation of ribosomes and polysomes, activation of amino acids, and so on, was examined in the previous monograph not merely from the standpoint of interaction between the components of this system, but also from that of their mani- festation in actual biological systems during morphogenesis and aging of the organism. However, both morphogenesis and aging were investigated very generally, Simply as models, without any detailed analysis of their specific features and complexity. The present book is therefore a logical continuation of its prede- cessor. It rests largely on a comprehensive analysis of the molecular-genetic and biochemical aspects of development and differentiation of living organisms, and questions of protein biosyn- thesis are discussed briefly and generally, and only so far as is necessary for fulfillment of the primary task. * Zh. A. Medvedev. 1966. Protein Biosynthesis and Problems of Heredity. Developement.

Table of Contents:
1. The Elementary Acts of Morphogenesis: Processes of Biosynthesis of Informational Macromolecules. The Biochemical Mechanisms of Transfer of Genetic Information.- 1. DNA Synthesis as a Process of Reproduction of Genetic (Programming) Information.- 2. RNA Synthesis as a Process of Transfer of Genetic Information (Transcription) from DNA to Systems of Protein Synthesis.- 3. Protein Synthesis as a Process of Translation of Genetic Information into a Functionally Active State.- a) Activation of Amino Acids and Their Fixation by Adaptor Molecules of sRNA.- b) Ribosomes and Polyribosomes (Polysomes), Their Functions in the Structural Organization of Protein Biosynthesis.- c) Biosynthesis of Proteins and the Problem of the Genetic Code.- Literature Cited.- 2. Molecular-Genetic Mechanisms of Reproduction and Morphogenesis of Viruses.- 1. Mechanisms of Morphogenesis of the Simplest Ribonucleoprotein (Two-Component) Viruses of Plants.- 2. Mechanisms of Morphogenesis of RNA-Containing Viruses of Animal Cells.- 3. Morphogenesis of RNA-Phages (Viruses of Bacteria).- 4. Mechanisms of Morphogenesis of Small DNA-Phages Containing Single-Stranded DNA.- 5. The Molecular Mechanisms of Morphogenesis of Animal DNA-Viruses.- 6. Molecular Mechanisms of Morphogenesis of Large DNA-Phages.- a) Regulation of Temporal Sequence of Synthesis of Early and Late Proteins Coded by Different Segments of the Same Polynucleotide (Polycistron) of Phage DNA.- b) Genetic Function of the Phage DNA Macromolecule during Phage Replication and Reproduction.- c) Study of the Nature of Assembling of the Phage Particle from Its Various Components.- Conclusion.- Literature Cited.- 3. Molecular-Genetic Mechanisms of Morphogenesis and Intracellular Biochemical Differentiation of Monochromosomal Bacterial Cells.- 1. Types of Morphogenetic Reactions in Bacteria.- 2. Substrate-Induced Synthesis of Bacterial Enzymes as a Morphogenetic Process.- a) The Principle of Enzymic Induction.- b) Concept of the Operon, a Group of Linearly and Functionally Connected Genes, Exemplified by Synthesis of ?-Galactosidase. Regulator Genes and Repressor Genes. Scheme of the Lactose Operon.- 3. The Principle of Combination of Successively Working Genes Responsible for Synthesis of Successively Working Enzymes Concerned Jointly with the Formation of Various Metabolites into Linear Structures or Operons.- a) The Histidine Operon.- b) The Tryptophan Operon.- c) Other Integrated Single-Operon Structural Combinations of Genes.- 4. Aspects of the One Operon-One Molecule of Messenger RNA Theory. Modulators of the Velocity of Synthesis.- 5. Genetic Determination of Functionally Interconnected and Successive Reactions by Structurally Separate Genes and by Groups of Genes Located in Different Parts of the Bacterial Chromosome. Arginine Synthesis by E. coli and Cysteine Synthesis by Salmonella.- 6. Possible Nature of Genetic Repressors and Mechanisms of Repression of Operons and Cistrons of the Bacterial Chromosome.- 7. Functioning of the Bacterial Chromosome as Carrier of the Entire Program of Morphogenesis and Metabolism of Bacterial Cells.- a) Genetic Map of the Bacterial Chromosome.- b) Biochemical Structure of the Chromosome of E. coli and Its Replication.- 1) Onset of Replication of E. coli Chromosome and its Connection with the Cell Cycle.- 2) Rate of Replication of DNA of the Bacterial Chromosome and Its Regulation.- 3) Molecular Mechanism and Linear Sequence of the Process of Replication of the E. coli Chromosome from the Starting Point.- 4) Models of Regulation of the Replication Process of the E. coli Chromosome.- c) Replication of the Chromosome of B. subtilis.- d) Transcription of Genetic Information from DNA of the Bacterial Chromosome.- 8. Differences in Development of Genetic Information of the Bacterial Chromosome Connected with the Cell Cycle and Morphogenetic Phenomena.- Literature Cited.- 4. Molecular-Gentic Systems Controlling Morphogenesis and Differentiation in Multicellular Organisms. Molecular Structure of Chromosomes of the Cell Nucleus and Structural and Biochemical Features of Genetic and Functional Differentiation of Chromosomes.- 1. Structural Organization of Genetic Elements of the Nucleus and Chromosomes.- 2. Reproduction (Replication) of Genetic Structures of the Cell Nucleus.- 3. Asynchrony of DNA Replication in Different Parts of Chromosomes and in Different Chromosomes and an Indication of Linear Genetic and Functional Heterogeneity of Chromosomal DNA.- a) Asynchrony of Linear Replication of DNA at Different Loci of the Individual Chromosome.- b) Asynchrony of DNA Replication in Different Chromosomes of Haploid and Diploid Set.- 4. Functional (RNA and Protein Synthesis), Morphological, and Genetic Differentiation of Chromosomes. The Study of Puffs on Polytene Chromosomes and Dynamics of Distribution in Connection with Morphogensis and Specialization of Zones of Active RNA Synthesis in Chromosomes.- a) Dynamics of Formation and Disappearance of Chromosomal Puffs in Connection with Morphogenetic Processes.- b) Experimental Changes in the Pattern and Activity of Puffs Caused by Hormones, Chemical Agents, and Environmental Factors.- c) Biochemical Specificity of Chromosomal Puffs and Characteristics of Forms of RNA Synthesized by Puffs.- 5. Study of Differentiation of RNA Synthesis by Loci and in Time in Lampbrush Chromosomes of Vertebrate Oocytes.- 6. Differentiation of the Lampbrush Type Y Chromosome of the Spermatocytes of Some Drosophila Species.- Literature Cited.- 5. Biochemical Realization of the Morphogenetic Program. Changes in Proteins and Nucleic Acids During Processes of Differentiation and Development.- 1. Morphogenetic Changes in the Protein Spectrum of Cells and Tissues.- a) Genetic Control of Synthesis of Individual Proteins in Cells and Tissues.- 1) Genetic Control of the Structure and Synthesis of Hemoglobins.- 2) Genetics of Lactate Dehydrogenase and Some Enzymes.- b) Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in the Pattern of the Structural Proteins of Cells during Morphogenesis and Differentiation.- c) Morphogenesis of the Plasma Proteins.- d) Biochemical Morphogenesis of the Hemoglobins. Genetic Mechanisms of the Change from Embryonic Hemoglobin to Adult Forms.- 1) Structure and Functions of Fetal Hemoglobin.- 2) Morphogenetic Switchover from the System of Synthesis of Fetal Hemoglobin to Adult Hemoglobin.- 3) Phylogenetic Distribution of the Change in Hemoglobin Forms with Morphogenesis.- 4) Genetics of the Control System of Morphogenetic Switchover from HbF Synthesis to HbA Synthesis and its Congenital Anomalies.- e) Morphogenetic Changes in the Pattern of Enzymes and Isozymes in Tissues and Organs.- 1) Morphogenetic Changes in Patterns of Different Enzymes.- 2) Morphogenetic Changes in Isozyme Groups and Their Significance in Differentiation.- 3) Regulation of Enzyme Activity in Ontogenesis.- f) The Immunology of Development.- 2. Morphogenetic Changes in the Pattern of Ribonucleic Acids Synthesized in the Nucleus.- a) Changes in the RNA Pattern during Oogenesis and Early Embryogenesis..- b) Pattern of Ribonucleic Acids during Differentiation Processes. Appearance of Tissue Differences in RNA Composition.- 3. Biochemical Composition of DNA during Morphogenesis and Embryonic Differentiation.- Literature Cited.- 6. Chromosomal Proteins and Their Role in Regulation of Selective Gene Activity During Differentiation and in Specialized Cells.- 1. Chemical Characteristics of Histones and Protamines and the Nature of Their Complexes with DNA in the Chromosomes.- 2. Heterogeneity and Specificity of Histones in Connection with Their Possible Genetic Function.- a) Heterogeneity of Histones in Relation to Amino Acid Composition, Molecular Weight, and Other Biochemical Properties.- b) Tissue and Morphogenetic Differences between Patterns of Heterogeneity of Histones (Tissue Specificity of Histones).- c) Effect of Histones on the Transcription of Genetic Information of DNA (on Synthesis of RNA and Proteins by Chromosomal Structure). The Histones as Repressors.- d) Biosynthesis of Histones as a Genetic Problem.- 1)Theoretical Aspect of the Problem of Morphogenetic Repressors.- 2) Biosynthesis of Histones.- e) Experimental Approaches to Determination of the Role of Histones in Morphogenetic Processes.- Conclusion. Discussion of the Genetic Function of Histones.- Literature Cited.- 7. Induction of Differentiated Activity of the Genes by Cytoplasmic and Chromosomal Factors and its Role in the General Organization of Morphogenesis.- 1. Effect of the Cytoplasm on the Character of Functional Differentiation of Nuclear Structures.- a) Differentiation of the Cytoplasm During Cleavage of the Oocyte and its Morphogenetic Importance (Ooplasmic Segregation).- b) Nuclear Transplanatation Experiments in the Study of Primary Mechanisms of Differentiation.- 2. Molecular-Genetic Aspects of the Phenomena of Embryonic Induction.- 3. Hormonal Control of Differentiation and the Influence of Hormones on Functional Activity of Genetic Systems.- 4. Mechanism of Rapid Induction at the Cytoplasmic Level. A Possible Model.- 5. Intrachromosomal Factors Determining the Level of Activity and Pattern of Function of Genes and Gene Systems.- 6. Periodicity and Rhythm of Cell Biochemical Activity and its Genetic Programming. The Genetic Clock.- Literature Cited.- 8. Molecular Mechanisms Programming Morphogenesis and Differentiation. A Theoretical Analysis.- 1. Outlines of the Problem of Programmed Morphogenesis. Questions to be Answered.- 2.Viruses and Bacteria; What Is Present and What Is Not in Their Genetic Systems Regulating and Programming Development.- a) Viruses.- b) Bacteria.- 3. Molecular-Genetic Mechanisms of Morphogenesis and Differentiation in Multicellular Organisms.- a) Formulation of the General Oulines of a Basic Hypothesis.- b) Hypotheses of Mechanisms of Programmed Differentiation.- c) Theoretical Simulation of the Molecular Mechanisms of Morphogenesis and Differentiation. Concluding Remarks.- Literature Cited.- 9. Recent Advances in the Study of Molecular-Genetic Mechanisms of Development.- 1. New Material on the Mechanism of Transfer of Genetic Information.- 2. New Data Concerning Mechanisms of Morphogenesis of Viruses.- 3. New Data on the Molecular Mechanisms of Regulation of the Morphogenesis of Bacteria.- 4. Functional Activity of the Chromosomes in Morphogenesis and Differentiation.- 5. New Facts Concerning Changes in Proteins and Nucleic Acids during Morphogenetic Processes.- 6. Chromosomal Proteins as Genetic Regulators.- 7. Induction and Repression of Genetic Loci During Differentiation.- Literature Cited.