Differential Expressions of Two Types of Alkaline Phosphatase during Developmental Growth of Embryoid Bodies of Mouse Teratocarcinoma OTT-6050 In Vitro

Ascites teratocarcinoma OTT-6050 is a totipotent tumor line producing indefinitely the simple type of embry-oid bodies (EBs). In culture with fetal calf serum (FCS) in Eagle's minimal essential medium (MEM), these EBs show developmental growth, only in which some differentiative events result. EBs also show this developmental growth in MEM supplemented with two fractions of FCS separated with a Amicon PM 10 membrane, i.e. a low molecular weight Fraction L (mol. wt. less than 10,000) and a high molecular weight Fraction H (mol. wt. more than 10,000). Fraction H is necessary for the survival of EBs in vitro. Fraction L enhances the uptake of ³H-thymidine into EB cells with increase in the Vmax , but no change in the K m. On culture of EBs with both Fractions, a marked bimodal increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity is seen on day 1–2 and 4, resulting from the differential expressions of two electrophoretically distinct ALPases (Bands I and II). The differential expressions of ALPase are also observed cytochemically, one activity being on the inner cells and the other on the surrounding cells of EBs. From the cytochemical similarity of ALPase activity to that of normal mouse embryos, Band I ALPase is inferred to be the epiblast (developmentally totipotent stem cell)-type and Band II ALPase to be the distal (parietal) endoderm-type.     

Stimulation of human T cell colony growth by a lymphocyte colony enhancement factor derived from lymphocyte subpopulations

Blood mononuclear cells (MNC) develop into T cell colonies when the cells are sensitized with PHA and seeded in a two-layer soft agar system. Conditioned medium (CM) derived from MNC enhanced lymphocyte colony formation when it was added to the culture system. CFU-TL appear to be stimulated into colony formation by molecules secreted by lymphocyte subpopulations contained in the seeded cells. In this study, human peripheral blood MNC were fractionated by a battery of techniques into adherent, E+, CD4+, CD8+, B and null cells. CM was prepared from each of the subpopulations and its effects on T cell colony growth assayed. All the lymphocyte subpopulations were found to generate lymphocyte colony enhancement factor (LCEF). After several purification procedures, CM prepared from CD4 and CD8+, displayed LCEF activity corresponding to proteins of molecular weight 30-40 and 100-140 kD.     

A lymphocyte chalone assay using lymphocyte colony growth in agar capillaries.

Using a recently developed method of culturing T-lymphocyte colonies in agar-containing capillary tubes, the capacity of three different lymphoid extracts with lymphocyte chalone (LC) activity to inhibit colony growth was demonstrated. Sephadex fractions from a calf spleen extract were tested on the colony growth of granulocytic cells and PHA-stimulated T-lymphocytes as well as on the in vitro uptake of 3H-thymidine by bone marrow and ConA- and LPS-stimulated mouse spleen cells. The data strongly suggest that it is only the combination of several different assay systems applied to the same fractions that permits a clear-cut determination of a specific lymphocyte proliferation inhibitor like LC.     

Human transfer factor: fractionation and biologic activity.

Human transfer factor (TF) was fractionated by exclusion chromatography and the fractions were tested for biologic activity in vivo and in vitro. Specific TF activity in vivo was found to reside in the major UV-absorbing peak (Fraction III). Fraction III eluted at 2.7 X V(O) and transferred tuberculin, candida, or KLH-reactivity to previously negative recipients. Fraction III from nonreactive donors was ineffective. When the fractions were tested in vitro, we found that both the mitogenic activity of whole TF and the suppressive activity to mitogen activation when present in TF was found in Fraction I. Fraction III contained components responsible for augmentation of PHA and PWM responses. In addition, Fraction III contained the component responsible for antigen-dependent augmentation of lymphocyte transformation. Fraction IV was suppressive to antigen-induced lymphocyte transformation. These data suggest that TF preparations contain components which can affect immune reactions in both specific and nonspecific ways.     

Opposing effects of 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate on human myeloid and lymphoid cell proliferation

The effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on human hematopoietic cells has been investigated. It was found that 1–10 ng/ml of TPA totally abrogated erythroid and granulocytic colony growth and, simultaneously in the presence of PHA, stimulated T-lymphocyte colony formation. TPA concentrations insufficient to inhibit myeloid colony growth also failed to stimulate lymphocyte colony formation. Optimal culture conditions for the growth of these colonies required the presence of TPA, PHA, and leukocyte-conditioned medium in the cultures. Cells within the colonies were 80–90% E-rosette positive and by monoclonal antibody characterization contained 45–66% OKT3-positive cells. Colony-forming cells were found in both E-rosette-positive and-negative fractions. Although by cell surface marker characterization the cells within the colonies had properties of T-cells, the exact relationship of cells forming colonies under these conditions to those detected in other T-cell colony assays remain to be determined.     

Physiochemical characterization of lymphocyte inhibitory factor (LyIF) isolated from avian B and T cells

Thymic (T) or bursal (B) lymphocytes from chicks sensitized to Mycobacterium tuberculosis produce an avian lymphocyte inhibitory factor (LyIF). The physiochemical properties of both T and B LyIF were established by ultrafiltration which yielded four fractions with molecular weight ranges of greater than 100,000; 50,000-100,000; 10,000-50,000; and less than 10,000; enzymatic treatment with chymotrypsin and neuraminidase; varying pH; and heat exposure. These studies demonstrated that the maximum activity for both T and B LyIF was within a molecular weight range of 10,000-50,000. Both were sensitive to chymotrypsin and neuraminidase treatment. Both were stable at 56 degrees C for 30 min and resistant to changes in pH from 5 to 9. T-Cell migration was inhibited equally by B or T LyIF, while B-cell migration was inhibited to a lesser extent by T LyIF and B LyIF. Further experiments should establish the reasons for these observed differences in cross-reactivity.     

Nicotinamide: suppression of lymphocyte transformation with a component identified in human transfer factor.

The component in human transfer factor (TF) (Fraction IV, from exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-25) responsible for suppression of antigen-induced lymphocyte transformation was previously identified as nicotinamide. Commercially available nicotinamide was subsequently shown to produce suppression of antigen-induced responses in vitro previously observed with TF Fraction IV. Nicotinamide was found to be nontoxic at the highest concentrations employed (10(-2)M) and suppressive over a relatively broad range (10(-5) to 10(-2)M. The suppression appeared to be related to the magnitude of antigen- or mitogen-induced transformation and was apparent even when nicotinamide was added as late as 48 hr after stimulant addition.     

Chromatographic pattern of gut glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI) in plasma before and during glucose absorption.

In this work we have studied the chromatographic pattern on Bio-Gel P-30 columns of the glucagon-like immunoreactivity (GLI) present in unextracted plasma from normal dogs in the basal state and after intraduodenal administration of glucose. Basal plasma GLI, measured by R-8 antiserum, was distributed in four distinct fractions, whose approximate molecular weights were: greater than 30000 delta (Fraction I), 10000 delta (Fraction II), 3500 delta (Fraction III) and 2000 delta (Fraction IV). Fraction I accounted for the highest percent of total immunoreactivity. The increase in plasma GLI during glucose absorption was due to a significant increase of Fraction II, which may well correspond to tissue GLI Peak I, while no significant changes were evident in the other three fractions. The fact that tissue Peak I (or plasma Fraction II) ssems to be the factor secreted during glucose absorption puts the material/s of this molecular size in the first place for further investigation.     

Partial purification and characterization of type I DNA topoisomerase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

Type I DNA topoisomerase was partially purified from Bacillus stearothermophilus by ammonium sulfate precipitation and column chromatographies on phosphocellulose, DEAE-cellulose and heparin-agarose. On heparin-agarose chromatography, topoisomerase I activity was separated into three fractions (designated Fractions A, B, and C). Each fraction was further subjected to gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200. From electrophoretic analysis on polyacrylamide gel, Fraction A was found to contain two enzyme species having molecular weights of 110,000 and 100,000, and Fraction B one enzyme species with a molecular weight of 80,000. The molecular weight of the enzyme in Fraction C was estimated to be around 150,000 by gel filtration. The enzymes in Fractions A and B exhibited little activity in the presence of Mg2+, while the activity was increased remarkably by NaCl with Mg2+. No activity was observed in the presence of NaCl alone. The enzyme in Fraction C required only Mg2+ for full activity. With Fraction A, the topoisomerase I-induced cleavage sites on tetracycline-resistant plasmid pNS1 (2.55 megadaltons) were mapped. Fraction A cleaved the DNA at ten specific sites. These sites were compared to those of the Haemophilus gallinarum enzyme, which have already been mapped (Shishido et al. (1983) Biochem. Biophys. Acta 740, 108). The results showed that there is a remarkably coincidence between the cleavage sites induced by the B. stearothermophilus and H. gallinarum enzymes.     

Host-Pathogen Interactions : XX. BIOLOGICAL VARIATION IN THE PROTECTION OF SOYBEANS FROM INFECTION BY PHYTOPHTHORA MEGASPERMA F. SP. GLYCINEA

Phytophthora megasperma f.sp. glycinea, which causes soybean (Glycine max) root and stem rot, exists as several races which differ in their ability to infect a range of soybean cultivars. A glycoprotein-rich fraction (Fraction I) isolated from fungal culture fluid protects soybean seedlings from infection with compatible races. In an early study (13), seedlings were protected only by Fraction I purified from incompatible races. In 1979, seedlings were better protected by Fraction I isolated from incompatible races than by Fraction I isolated from compatible races. In 1980, seedlings were protected equally well by Fraction I from incompatible and compatible races. Materials similar in composition to Fraction I did not protect seedlings from infection. No cause could be identified for the apparent change, during the 3-year period, in the race specificity of the protection assay. Variability in the bioassay prohibited further purification or characterization of Fraction I components that protect seedlings from infection.     

Electron and X-ray microscopic analyses of reaggregated materials obtained after fractionation of dissolved sporopollenin

Summary Exines fromTypha angustifolia L. pollen were dissolved in hot 2-aminoethanol. The solubilisate was successively fractionated and reaggregated via a dialysis cascade with dialysis tubings of different exclusion volumina. Four fractions of reaggregated material with different molecular mass were obtained. Fraction 1 with a molecular mass above 25,000 Da, fraction 2 with a molecular mass between 10,000–25,000 Da, fraction 3 with a molecular mass between 5,000–10,000 Da, and fraction 4 of a molecular mass lower than 5,000 Da. The fractions were comparatively analysed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray microscopy. The material of the fractions with a molecular mass above 10,000 Da exhibit high congruence to the initial material. Analysis of the reaggregated material with the lowest molecular mass revealed special distinct substructures which in form and size showed high similarities to substructures of exines described in literature. In detail, spherical substructures consisting of an electron-dense core surrounded by an electron-transparent corona and in addition elongated substructures with a distinctive surface sculpture were detected.Abbreviations SEM scanning electron microscopy - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

Evidence for the presence of an endogenous cytosolic protein inhibitor of intestinal fucosyltransferase activities

Soluble endogenous inhibitory activities for glycoprotein: alpha (1-2) and alpha (1-3) fucosyltransferases are demonstrated in rat small intestinal cytosol. These inhibitors are retained on DEAE-cellulose and are eluted as two fractions A and B. Fraction B is non dialyzable, heat stable and pronase-resistant and consists probably of poly-nucleotides. Fraction A is also non-dialyzable, but is thermolabile and pronase-sensitive, suggesting that it contains proteins. The inhibition of fucosyltransferase activity by fraction A is competitive for GDP-fucose and non-competitive for the glycoprotein substrate. Inhibition is not due to interfering enzymatic activities (glycosyl-nucleotide pyrophosphatases, glycosidases or proteases) and is reversible. This protein inhibitor, with a molecular weight of 60,000, is found only in the intestine and the pancreas and appears to be different from the previously reported inhibitors of brain glycolipid glycosyltransferases.     

Detection of antigen-specific human serum proteins related to the T-cell receptor in infectious disease and in an immune response to milk proteins or chemicals

A monoclonal IgG2 antibody, MG3C9-1 A12, was prepared by immunization of mice with human serum Cohn Fraction III proteins enriched for TCR Ca+ proteins. MG3C9-1 A12 bound to Mr 28,000, antigen-specific TCR Ca+, beta-, and TCR Ca+, beta+ serum proteins associated with TGF-beta1, 2. The IgG2 monoclonal antibody also bound to T-lymphocyte proteins but did not bind to B lymphocyte proteins, human albumin, IgM, IgG, IgA, or TGF-beta1, 2, 3 immunogenic peptides. Monoclonal MG3C9-1 A12 detected TCR-related proteins specific for filarial extract, milk proteins, or benzoic acid in the sera of individuals with chronic or asymptomatic filariasis, milk intolerance, or sensitivity to toluene, respectively. TCR-related serum proteins were also detected intracellularly in mononuclear cells in frozen sections of ileum from a patient with milk intolerance and reactive mesenteric lymph nodes from a patient with a gastric ulcer. The results suggest that antigen-specific TCR-related serum proteins may be elevated during an immune response to oral, environmental, or infectious stimuli.     

Synthesis of low-phenylalanine polypeptides

Low-phenylalanine-peptides for dietotherapy of phenylketonuria (PKU) were prepared from soybean protein isolate. Soluble fraction of soybean protein isolate was hydrolysed by alpha-chymotrypsin then followed by carboxypeptidase-A. Molecular weight distribution and amino acid analysis were made on the resultant polypeptides. The chymotrypsin hydrolysate was divided into two fractions, Fraction I (molecular weight greater than 2500) and Fraction II (molecular weight between 1000 and 2500). The phenylalanine content of Fraction I (3.1%) was lower than that of Fraction II (5%), indicating the nonuniform distribution of phenylalanine in soy bean protein. Carboxypeptidase hydrolysis of Fraction I further reduced the phenylalanine concentration to 2.3%, approximately half of the original concentration in soybean protein isolate.     

Composition of a Photosystem I chlorophyll protein complex from Anabaena flos-aquae

The use of Triton X-100 to solubilize membrane fragments from Anabaena flos-aquae in conjunction with DEAE cellulose chromatography allows the separation of three green fractions. Fraction 1 is detergent-solubilized chlorophyll, and Fraction 2 contains one polypeptide in the 15 kdalton area. Fraction 3, which contains most of the chlorophyll and shows P-700 and photosystem I activity, shows by SDS gel electrophoresis varying polypeptide profiles which reflect the presence of four fundamental bands as well as varying amounts of other polypeptides which appear to be aggregates containing the 15 kdalton polypeptide. The four fundamental bands are designated Band I at 120, Band II at 52, Band III at 46, and Band IV at 15 kdaltons. Band I obtained using 0.1% SDS contains chlorophyll and P-700 associated with it. When this band is cut out and rerun, the 120 kdalton band is lost, but significant increases occur in the intensities of Bands II, III, and IV as well as other polypeptides in the 20–30 kdalton range.The use of 1% Triton X-100 coupled with sucrose density gradient centrifugation allows the separation of three green bands at 10, 25 and 40% sucrose. The 10% layer contains a major polypeptide which appears to be Band IV. The 25 and 40% layers show essentially similar polypeptide profiles, resembling Fraction 3 in this regard, except that the 40% layer shows a marked decrease in Band III. Treatment of the material layering at the 40% sucrose level with a higher (4%) concentration of Triton X-100 causes a loss (disaggregation) of the polypeptides occurring in the 60–80 kdalton region and an increase in the lower molecular weight polypeptides. Thus, aggregation of the lower molecular weight polypeptides accounts for the variability seen in the electrophoresis patterns. Possible relations of the principal polypeptides to the known photochemical functions in the original membrane are discussed.     

Studies on the assembly of apo B-100-containing lipoproteins in HepG2 cells

The relationship between apoB-100 and the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has been studied by a combination of pulse-chase methodology and subcellular fractionation. HepG2 cells were pulse-labeled with [35S]methionine for 3 min and chased with cold methionine for periods between 0 and 20 min. ApoB-100 and albumin, present in the membrane as well as in the luminal content of the ER vesicles, were isolated after each chase period. The results indicated that apoB-100 was cotranslationally bound to the membrane of the ER, and from this membrane-bound form, was transferred to the lumen after a delay of 10-15 min. Albumin was, as could be expected for a typical secretory protein, cotranslationally sequestered in the lumen of the ER. Apo-B-100-containing lipoproteins present in the microsomal lumen were analyzed by ultracentrifugation in a sucrose gradient. ApoB-100 occurred on rounded particles in three density regions: (i) d 1.1065-1.170 g/ml (Fraction I), (ii) d 1.011-1.045 g/ml (Fraction II), and (iii) d less than 1.011 g/ml (Fraction III). Fraction I, isolated from cells cultured in the absence of oleic acid, contained a homogenous population of particles with a mean diameter of approximately 200 A. Fraction I isolated from cells cultured in the presence of oleic acid was slightly more heterogeneous and had a mean diameter of approximately 250 A. Fractions II and III had mean diameters of 300 and 500 A, respectively. Cholesterol esters and triacylglycerol were the quantitatively dominating lipid constituents of all three fractions. Pulse-chase experiments indicated that Fraction I contained the newly assembled lipoproteins. With increasing chase time, the apoB-100 radioactivity was redistributed from Fraction I to Fractions II and III, indicating that Fraction I is converted into Fractions II and III during the intracellular transfer. Particles corresponding to Fractions II and III were by far the most abundant lipoproteins found in the medium. The results presented support the possibility of a sequential assembly of apoB-100-containing lipoproteins.     

The structures of polysaccharides and glycolipids of Aspergillus fumigatus grown in the presence of human serum

A study was made of polysaccharides and glycosphingolipids isolated from Aspergillus fumigatus grown in media supplemented with human serum from healthy donors. Fractionation of Cetavlon-precipitated polysaccharides on Sephacryl S-400 gave rise to an excluded fraction (Fraction I) with molecular weight of >400 kDa and an included peak (Fraction II) with an average molecular weight of 30–80 kDa. Fraction I comprises about 5% of total polysaccharide and was identified as a glycogen-like molecule. Its structure was deduced from methylation data, treatment with amyloglucosidase, a red-brown coloration produced with an iodine solution and by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. It was previously suggested that higher amounts of glycogen-like polysaccharide (20%) were present in A. fumigatus grown in serum-free medium. Fraction II was identified as a galactomannan and was the main polysaccharide of A. fumigatus grown in serum-supplemented medium. Its structure was elucidated mainly by ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy combined with partial acetolysis and methylation analysis. The ¹³C-NMR spectrum of the galactomannan showed a much greater complexity in the -d-galf and -d-manp C-1 regions, than was evident for galactomannan from serum-free cultures previously described, reflecting differences in the glycosylation pattern, stimulated in serum-supplemented medium.No differences in A. fumigatus glycosphingolipid could be detected between serum-containing and serum-free growth conditions.Our results demonstrate that the change in polysaccharide structure is a more specific response to the altered growth conditions and not merely a symptom of more general changes.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inhibition of progesterone synthesis and cAMP accumulation in small bovine luteal cells by a low molecular weight component of bovine follicular fluid

Follicular fluid from large follicles of cows was extracted with charcoal and filtered through an Amicon XM-50 membrane. The XM-50 filtrate was further fractionated on a column of Fractogel TSK HW-40 (s) using Krebs-Ringer-phosphate buffer (1/100th dilution), pH 7.2, as an eluant. Two fractions (1 and 2) were obtained. Inhibition of progesterone secretion by small luteal cells was associated with the XM-50 filtrate and Fraction 2. Whole follicular fluid, the XM-50 retentate and Fraction 1 had no significant inhibitory activity. Fraction 2, which contained about 1/100,000th of the original follicular fluid proteins, inhibited the LH- or (Bu)2cAMP-induced progesterone production during a 2-h incubation. This inhibition was dose-dependent. Fraction 2 also inhibited LH-induced cAMP accumulation, but did not affect the conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone or the basal progesterone production. The molecular weight of the inhibitory factor was estimated to be less than 10,000 and its ability to inhibit steroidogenesis was lost after digestion with protease but retained after heating for 60 min at 75 degrees C. These results demonstrate that bovine follicular fluid contains a heat-stable factor likely to be a polypeptide and which suppresses the steroidogenic response of small luteal cells to LH. The action of this inhibitory factor could involve both an inhibition of the LH-induced synthesis of cAMP and an inhibition of the action of cAMP.     

Occurrence and Some Properties of Two Types of δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Synthase in a Facultative Methylotroph,Protaminobacter ruber

In addition to the α-ALA synthase already reported (Fraction I: molecular weight, 100,000; optimal pH, ca. 8.0), an isozyme (Fraction II: molecular weight, 64,000; optimal pH, ca. 6.4) was found in Protaminobacter ruber grown in the dark after an initial light period (20~30hr). The fraction I- and II-enzymes were separable by gel-filtration through Sepharose 6B. While the former was formed constitutively, the latter was formed inducibly under the conditions for bacteriochlo-rophyll formation. Therefore, the fraction II-isozyme seems to be responsible for the biosynthesis of bacteriochlorophyll.     

B lymphocyte colony-forming cells in the SJL/J mouse.

Mercatoethanol-induced B lymphocyte cloning in semi-solid agar has been used to study lymphocyte colony formation by cells from the SJL/J mouse thymus. From the 3rd month of life, the SJL/J mouse thymus. From the 3rd month of life, the SJL thymus develops an increasing frequency of cells forming B lymphocyte colonies in agar. The peak frequency in 6- to 12-month-old mice was one colony per 1000 to 2000 cultured thymus cells. In contrast, 10 to 100 times lower frequencies were found in the thymus of five other inbred mouse strains. The rise in B lymphocyte colony-forming cells correlated well with the age-related rise in Ig-positive cells and approximately 50% of the colony cells reacted with anti-micron-serum indicating the B lymphocyte nature of the colony cells. Colony-forming cells from the thymus showed higher sensitivity than colony-forming spleen cells to cortisol and irradiation. Cell transfer experiments and thymus grafting suggested that the increased frequency of colony-forming cells in the thymus is caused by development of special thymus-seeking B lymphocytes in ageing SJL/J mice. Finally, B lymphocyte colony-forming cells were found to be more frequent in the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes from healthy aged mice than in lymphoid organs from mice with spontaneous reticulum cell tumors.