Characterization of sulfated glucuronic acid containing glycolipids reacting with IgM M-proteins in patients with neuropathy

In some patients with neuropathy and plasma cell dyscrasia, the serum IgM M-proteins are known to bind to the myelin associated glycoprotein and to peripheral nerve glycolipids. We have isolated two acidic glycolipids which bind to the M-protein from human cauda equina by DEAE-Sephadex, Iatrobeads, and high performance liquid column chromatographies. The major acidic glycolipid migrated between GM1 and GD1a and the minor acidic glycolipid migrated between GD1a and GD1b. Their structures were elucidated by sugar analysis, enzymatic digestion, mild acid hydrolysis, permethylation, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and NMR studies. Their core structure was confirmed to be paragloboside by high performance thin-layer chromatography-immunostaining using anti-paragloboside monoclonal antibody. Both acidic glycolipids lacked sialic acid but contained sulfated glucuronic acid as their acidic moiety. The sulfate group in the glucuronic acid was established by periodate oxidation and permethylation studies to be attached to the 3 position. The structures of the two acidic glycolipids are therefore consistent with the following: IV3GlcUA(3-sulfate)nLcOse4Cer and VI3GlcUA(3-sulfate)nLcOse6Cer. Additionally, the free carboxyl group on the glucuronic acid residue was shown to be necessary to bind the IgM M-proteins from neuropathy patients.     

F.t.-i.r. and laser-Raman spectra of thymine and thymidine

F.t.-i.r. and laser-Raman spectra of thymine and thymidine in the solid state were recorded. Assignments were proposed for the frequencies observed. The influence of the deoxy sugar on the vibrations of the nucleoside are discussed as a function of its particular puckering. The aim of this work is to elucidate the differences between the molecules constituting the nucleic acids, in order the better to comprehend their biological functions.     

F.t.-i.r. and laser-Raman spectra of cytosine and cytidine

Fourier-transform infrared (F.t.-i.r.) and laser-Raman spectra of cytosine and cytidine in the solid state have been recorded and assignments of the frequencies made. Comparison of the observed frequencies for cytosine with those for cytidine permits identification of the bands characteristic of the sugar on the one hand, and of the pyrimidine base on the other.     

R.b.e. and o.e.r. of extended-Bragg-peak helium ions: survival and development of rat embryos.

Rats were exposed under aerobic or hypoxic conditions to 200-1200 rads of 60Co gamma-rays or extended-Bragg-peak helium ions on the eighth day of gestation. Uterine contents were examined on the twentieth day of gestation. At the 50 per cent embryonic survival level, helium ion r.b.e. was 1(.0) (aerobic) and 1(.2) (hypoxic). Maximum attainable gamma-ray and helium-ion o.e.r.s. were 2(.2) and 1(.7) respectively, indicating an oxygen-effect gain (o.e.g.) of 1(.2). At the 10 per cent survival level helium ion r.b.e. was 1(.1) (aerobic) and 1(.4) (hypoxic). Gamma-ray and helium-ion 0.e.r.s. were 2(.0) and 1(.5) respectively, indicating a helium ion o.e.g. of 1(.3). These data demonstrate that the small fraction of high-LET radiation present in this helium ion beam has a neglible effect on the aerobic r.b.e., but lowers the effective o.e.r. of the beam approximately 25 per cent relative to that of gamma-rays. Helium ions were significantly more effective than gamma-rays in killing embryos under hypoxic conditions, in producing congenital abnormalities under aerobic conditions, and in stunting foetal growth under both conditions.     

F.t.-i.r. and laser-Raman spectra of guanine and guanosine

Fourier-transform infrared (F.t.-i.r.) and laser-Raman spectra have been obtained for solid guanine. The F.t.-i.r. spectrum of guanosine in the solid state was also recorded. Assignments are proposed for the i.r. bands. The molecular basis of the spectral differences between guanine and guanosine are discussed.     

1H- and 13C-N.M.R. spectra of eledoisin and intermediate oligopeptides.

The 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectra of eledoisin and minor oligopeptides were measured and assigned. The proton spectra were interpreted on the basis of homonuclear decoupling, chemical shift criteria and spectra simulation. The information obtained was used in the assignment of the 13C spectrum via heteronuclear 1H-13C. The steric arrangement of proline residue was deduced from the 13C spectrum. Moreover the similarity of the 13C spectrum of eledoisin with that of component oligopeptides suggests that no considerable conformational change occurs in the undecapeptide relative to the component fragments.