The emergence of a new scientific book series requires some explanation regarding how it hopes to compensate the reader for the discomforts it undoubtedly produces both in the realms of informational input-overload and in the financial strain on personal and institutional budgets. This series recognizes that investigators who have entered neurochemistry from the biochemical tradition have a rather specialized view of the brain. Too often, interdisciplinary offerings are initially attractive but turn out to recite basic biochemical considerations. We have come to believe that there are now sufficiently large numbers of neurochemists to support a specialized venture such as the present one. We have begun with consideration of traditional areas of neurochemistry which show considerable scientific activity. We hope they will serve the neurochemist both for general reading and for specialized information. The reader will also have the opportunity to reftect on the unbridled speculation that results from the disinhibiting effects on the author who has been invited to write a chapter. We plan occasionally also to offer reviews of areas not completely in the domain of neurochemistry which we nevertheless feel to be sufficiently timely to be called to the attention of all who use chemical principles and tools in an effort to better understand the brain. B. W. Agranoff M. H. Aprison vii CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 POSSIBLE ROLES OF PROSTAGLANDINS IN THE NERVOUS SYSTEM LEONHARD S. WOLFE 1. Introduction 1 1. 1. Background 1 Names and Structures 1. 2. 4 1. 3. Biosynthesis 4 1. 4.

In the Preface to Volume 1, we stated: This series recognizes that investigators who have entered neurochemistry from the biochemical tradition have a rather specialized view of the brain. Too often, interdisci plinary offerings are initially attractive but turn out to recite basic biochemical considera tions. We have come to believe that there are now sufficiently large numbers of neurochemists to support a specialized venture such as the present one. We have begun with consideration of traditional areas of neurochemistry which show considerable scientific activity. We hope they will serve the neurochemist both for general reading and for specialized information. The reader will also have the opportunity to reflect on the unbridled speculation that results from the disinhibiting effects on the author who has been invited to write a chapter. We plan occasionally also to offer reviews of areas not completely in the domain of neurochemistry which we nevertheless feel to be sufficiently timely to be called to the attention of all who use chemical principles and tools in an effort to better understand the brain. The contributions to the present volume pursue these goals. We believe the series has set high standards and has continued to uphold them. In accordance with the principle stated in the last paragraph of the Preface Volume 1, we include in this volume Koshland's "Sensory Response in Bacteria" (Chapter 5)."

This series has been directed at providing scientists possessing considerable bio chemical background with specialized reviews of neurobiological interest. Some have dealt with completed bodies of research, while others consist of extensive reports of research in progress, judged to be of current interest to the active researcher. We have selected recognized scientists and allowed them freedom to reflect and speculate in the field in which they have achieved prom inence. We note with sadness the passing of Dr. 10rdi FoIch-Pi, who served as an advisory editor when the series was initiated. He played a central role in the development of neurochemistry, as well as the creation of professional societies and journals. He will be remembered fondly by all those whose lives he touched. The editors acknowledge the cooperation of the Upjohn Company in the preparation of the color plate included in this volume. We also acknowledge the skillful editorial assistance of Dr. Kenneth C. Leskawa. We are pleased to honor the retirement of Dr. E. Martin Gal, a former advisory editor of Advances, with the inclusion of a chapter by him in this volume.

The original premise of the Editors in initiating this series was that there existed a readership ofneurochemists with considerable biochemical back ground who would make use of a series dedicated to both new develop ments and specialized reviews in neurochemistry. Having selected our authors, we have offered them virtually complete freedom to reflect and speculate in a field in which they have achieved prominence. The response to the first two volumes has been rewarding. The present one continues in this tradition. While we have not attempted to publish specialized volumes, the present volume contains two somewhat related chapters (Chapters 4 and 5, on the role of amino acid neurotransmitters). The first three chapters examine three diverse approaches, each of current interest, in neurochemi cal approaches to the molecular bases of neuronal and glial structure. B. W. Agranoff M. H. Aprison vii CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 2',3'-CYCUC NUCLEOTIDE 3'-PHOSPHODIESTERASE NEIL RAYMOND SIMS AND PATRICK ROBERT CARNEGIE 1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. Assay of CNPase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2. 1. Need for Activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2. 2. Comparison of Assays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3. Association of CNPase with Myelin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 3. 1. Historical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 3. 2. Subcellular Fractionation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3. 3. Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3. 4. Mutant Mice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3. 5. Use as a Myelin Marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 3. 6. Myelin-Related Fractions and Peripheral Nerve Myelin. 11 4. CNPase in Nonmyelin Fractions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 5. Activation and Isolation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 5. 1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 5. 2. Activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 5. 3. Solubilization and Fractionation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 6. Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 6. 1. Substrate Specificity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .