Man8GlcNAc2糖基化的酿酒酵母菌株的构建

酿酒酵母糖蛋白的N-糖基化经过高尔基体的修饰后形成聚合度约150-200的甘露寡糖,高尔基体N-糖基化的糖基转移酶Mnn1p和Och1p在甘露寡糖的形成过程中起关键作用。通过同源重组置换敲除了酵母中的MNN1和OCH1基因阻断高尔基体N-糖基化修饰,分离纯化了mnn1 och1突变株中的N-糖蛋白,糖酰胺酶PNGaseF酶解释放的N-糖链经过2-氨基吡啶衍生后,利用HPLC和MALDITOF/MS结合的方法分析了突变株糖蛋白上的N-糖链。结果显示mnn1 och1突变株中的糖蛋白的N-糖链为结构单一的糖链,分子量为1794.66,推测为Man8GlcNAc2。     

人朊蛋白不同N-糖基化修饰突变体的构建及其在哺乳动物细胞中表达

构建并表达人朊蛋白N-糖基化修饰位点突变的真核表达载体,有助于进一步研究朊蛋白N-糖基化修饰的生物学功能。定点突变野生型人朊蛋白基因PRNP,将获得的突变体亚克隆至真核表达载体pcDNA3.1中,并在人宫颈癌细胞株HeLa中瞬时表达各种朊蛋白糖基化修饰位点突变体,利用免疫印迹和糖苷酶消化等糖蛋白分析方法鉴定表达产物的糖基化形式。经Western blot鉴定,野生型和突变型朊蛋白表达产物出现不同形式的泳动特征,分别出现特异性糖基化修饰的多个条带,单糖基化修饰的两条条带和无糖基化修饰的一条条带。经PNGase F糖苷酶消化,野生型和糖基化单点突变型表达产物均能被糖苷酶消化,其分子量下移,去糖基化突变型表达产物的分子条带位置不变。通过突变野生型人朊蛋白基因PRNP的N-糖基化修饰位点,获得单糖基化修饰和去N-糖基化修饰的6种人朊蛋白突变体,并能够在HeLa细胞株中瞬时表达单糖基化修饰和去N-糖基化修饰朊蛋白,为进一步研究朊蛋白的相关功能建立良好基础。     

Man8GlcNAc2糖基化的酿酒酵母菌株的构建

酿酒酵母糖蛋白的N-糖基化经过高尔基体的修饰后形成聚合度约150-200的甘露寡糖,高尔基体N-糖基化的糖基转移酶Mnn1p和Och1p在甘露寡糖的形成过程中起关键作用。通过同源重组置换敲除了酵母中的MNN1和OCH1基因阻断高尔基体N-糖基化修饰,分离纯化了mnn1 och1突变株中的N-糖蛋白,糖酰胺酶PNGaseF酶解释放的N-糖链经过2-氨基吡啶衍生后,利用HPLC和MALDITOF/MS结合的方法分析了突变株糖蛋白上的N-糖链。结果显示mnn1 och1突变株中的糖蛋白的N-糖链为结构单一的糖链,分子量为1794.66,推测为Man₈GlcNAc₂。     

人副流感病毒3型HN糖蛋白N-糖链的功能研究

为了研究人副流感病毒3型(hPIV3)HN糖蛋白N-糖链的功能,采用基因定点突变技术构建糖基化位点突变体,然后检测各突变株的蛋白电泳速率、细胞表面表达量、受体结合活性、神经氨酸酶活性和促细胞融合活性。HN分子的G1、G2、G3和G4 4个糖基化位点分别和联合突变后发现G1、G2和G4及其联合突变株(G12、G14、G24和G124)电泳速率加快,而G3突变株电泳速率没有变化。各突变株的表达效率,神经氨酸酶活性与野毒株相比差别无统计学意义(P>0.05),但受体结合活性和促细胞融合活性均有不同程度的降低(P<0.05)。G1、G2和G4位点突变后受体结合活性分别为突变前的83.94%、76.45%和55.32%,而促细胞融合活性降为突变前的80.84%、77.83%和64.16%。联合突变株G12、G14、G24和G124血吸附活性进一步降低,为突变前的33.07%、20.67%、19.96%和15.11%,促细胞融合活性进一步降低为突变前的46.36%、12.04%、13.43%和4.05%。结果表明:hPIV3HN糖蛋白的糖链对HN糖蛋白的受体结合活性和促细胞融合活性有重要影响,推断糖链的丢失可能会引起HN糖蛋白头部结构(受体结合活性位点所在区域)或者方向的改变或者无法与宿主细胞膜表面的凝集素受体(一种与N-糖链结合的受体)结合,进而导致受体结合活性和促细胞融合活性的降低。     

突变人CD59分子真核表达体系的构建和功能的初步研究

构建突变人CD59分子(HMCD59)真核表达体系,探讨HMCD59糖基化前后抗补体活性的变化。采用重组PCR定点诱变技术在CD59易于糖基化的位点构建CD59突变基因,克隆入真核表达质粒pALTER-MAX。利用阳离子脂质体将重组质粒和pcDNA3共转染中国仓鼠卵巢细胞(CHO)。G418压力筛选稳定转染细胞克隆,检测筛选HMCD59蛋白高表达株。免疫印迹技术(Western blot)检测出HMCD59蛋白分子量约为20kDa。2,7-二羧乙基-5,6羧基荧光素(BCECF)释放实验初步证实HMCD59具有抗补体活性,糖基化后抗补体活性明显降低,为进一步研究糖尿病血管增殖症的发生机制提供了线索。     

人β-分泌酶 (BACE1) 在毕赤酵母中分泌表达及纯化

为了获得活性良好的重组人β-分泌酶 (β-secreatase, BACE1),用于研究其与抑制剂的作用模式,构建了携带β-分泌酶proBACE1和BACE1编码序列的重组表达质粒pPIC9K-MetBACE22和pPIC9K-MetBACE46,通过电击法转入毕赤酵母GS115中,分别得到重组子9k-B22和9k-B46。重组菌株在诱导表达培养基中诱导外源基因表达,结果显示9k-B22的上清活性明显高于9k-B46的上清活性。9k-B22表达上清浓缩后经HisTrap亲和柱纯化得到的蛋白具有良好的BACE1活性, SDS-PAGE/高碘酸-希夫试剂染色发现其为糖蛋白,并且其糖基侧链可以被Endo Hf完全切除,得到50 kDa左右的两条蛋白带。肽质量指纹图谱鉴定发现,这两个蛋白分别与proBACE1和BACE1匹配。活性检测发现糖基化BACE1和去糖基化BACE1的活性均低于HEK-293细胞表达的商品BACE1,这说明糖基化及其类型对BACE1的活性非常重要。然而已知的BACE1抑制剂对三者的抑制率无显著差异,这说明糖基化并不影响与抑制剂的相互作用。经过一系列培养条件优化BACE1纯化产量提高到1 mg/L,这为发现并优化BACE1新型抑制剂的相关研究奠定了物质基础。     

长效人促卵泡激素CHO细胞株的构建及其体内活性

促卵泡激素(FSH)是具有促进卵泡与睾丸发育作用的一种垂体糖蛋白激素。因其体内半衰期较短,临床上需要连续10 d以上每天注射,病人使用非常不方便。本文旨在通过提高糖基化程度,研制一种长效FSH。通过一段含有两个N-糖基化位点的连接序列,将人FSHα链与β链cDNA融合,并插入pcDNA3.1(+)表达载体。表达载体转染CHO-K1细胞后,通过G418筛选得到阳性单克隆细胞,并经PCR和Western blotting证实。该重组FSH为单链蛋白,分子量约为49 kDa。经无血清培养,工程细胞株培养上清液中重组FSH的表达量可达3 mg/L。单次注射该重组FSH能够促进大鼠卵巢发育与卵泡成熟,且药效与连续8次注射Folltropin-V的相近。实验结果显示,本研究已成功获得一种长效重组FSH。     

猪瘟病毒石门强毒株和兔化弱毒疫苗株E2蛋白糖基化位点差异分析

猪瘟病毒强毒株和兔化弱毒疫苗株E2糖蛋白分别含有5个和6个潜在的糖基化位点,其中986N是兔化弱毒疫苗株所特有的。为了分析二者糖基化位点差异及其影响,将去掉信号肽和跨膜区的猪瘟病毒石门强毒株(Shi-men)和兔化弱毒疫苗株(HCLV)E2基因置于蜂素信号肽序列下游,使其在Sf9细胞内表达重组Shimen-E2和HCLV-E2蛋白。结果显示,重组E2蛋白以二聚体的形式分泌表达于细胞培养液中,但二者分子量存在差异。用endo H和PNGase F对纯化后的重组E2蛋白进行去糖基化处理后,二者分子量大小变成一致,证实石门强毒株和兔化弱毒株E2蛋白分子量大小的差异可能是由于糖基化程度的差异所致。对986N糖基化位点进行定点突变后发现,突变后的Shimen-E2与野生型HCLV-E2分子量大小一致,而突变后的HCLV-E2与野生型Shimen-E2分子量大小一致,表明Shimen-E2和HCLV-E2分子量大小的差异的确是由于986N糖基化位点的差异引起的。     

重组人卵泡刺激素在昆虫细胞中的表达

为了研究在昆虫细胞中表达重组人卵泡刺激素,我们以人胎盘组织提取的染色体DNA为模板,利用重叠PCR方法扩增出hFSHβ亚基的cDNA的编码区。将此cDNA克隆入核型多角体病毒(AcNPV)非融合蛋白基因表达载体pVLl393,我们得到了表达载体pVLl393-hFSHβ,然后与BaculoGold^TM线性杆状病毒DNA共转染昆虫细胞SF9,经多次扩增后获得高滴度的重组病毒AcNPV-hFSHβ。将此重组病毒感染昆虫细胞,我们得到了在胞浆中表达的hFSHβ亚基,Western blot显示分子量大约为21kDa。以重组病毒AcNPV-hFSHβ与AcNPV-hCGoL一同感染昆虫细胞得到了具有分泌性的重组hFSH异二聚体,在非还原的条件下Western blot显示分子量大约为33kDa。     

大肠杆菌K99菌毛fan操纵子的克隆、表达及活性

[目的]在体外克隆和表达猪产肠毒素大肠杆菌(ETEC) K99菌毛操纵子fan结构基因,并检测重组菌毛的相关生物学活性.[方法]以猪源分离的表达K99菌毛ETEC C83907株制取模板,成功PCR扩增出编码K99菌毛的fan操纵子,约5.7 kb.将fan操纵子克隆人表达质粒载体pBR322,筛选出含正确阳性质粒的重组菌.进一步将上述的重组质粒DNA转化至不含任何菌毛的大肠杆菌SE5000株,同时将空载体pBR322质粒转化入SE5000构建阴性对照菌株.[结果]该重组菌能与鼠抗K99菌毛单克隆抗体发生明显的凝集反应,与新生仔猪小肠上皮细胞刷状缘BBV分子有强烈凝集反应.电镜观察到上述重组菌表面大量表达K99菌毛,用热抽提法提纯其表达的K99菌毛,并经SDS-PAGE电泳和考马斯亮蓝染色,可以得到分子量约为18.5kDa的主要蛋白条带.纯化菌毛免疫小鼠后制备出高效价的鼠抗血清,能与携带K99菌毛的C83907、C83914、C83260野生株发生强烈的凝集反应,而与携带其他菌毛的ETEC不反应.玻板凝集试验和Western blot结果表明:体外表达的K99菌毛具有和野生K99菌毛相同的抗原性.用表达K99菌毛的重组菌进行HeLa细胞体外黏附试验和黏附抑制实验,结果表明:重组菌和野生菌株一样具有较强的粘附性,而且用重组菌毛制备的鼠抗血清能有效地抑制上述重组菌或野生菌株对细胞系的黏附结合.[讨论]本研究为进一步研究K99菌毛生物学作用建立了良好的实验平台.     

Preparation of hair for measurement of elements by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

The preparation of hair for the determination of elements is a critical component of the analysis procedure. Open-beaker, closedvessel microwave, and flowthrough microwave digestion are methods that have been used for sample preparation and are discussed. A new digestion method for use with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been developed. The method uses 0.2 g of hair and 3 mL of concentrated nitric acid in an atmospheric pressurelow-temperature microwave digestion (APLTMD) system. This preparation method is useful in handling a large numbers of samples per day and may be adapted to hair sample weights ranging from 0.08 to 0.3 g. After digestion, samples are analyzed by ICP-MS to determine the concentration of Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ge, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Zr, Mo, Pd, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, I, Cs, Ba, Pt, Au, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th, and U. Benefits of the APLTMD include reduced contamination and sample handling, and increased precision, reliability, and sample throughput.     

外泌体在白血病中的重要调控作用

目前,白血病复发是患者死亡的主要原因之一。肿瘤细胞和微环境的相互作用,以及隐匿在骨髓中的肿瘤干细胞,促进了白血病的复发和向淋巴组织的转移,因此白血病的治疗、转移和复发问题受到广泛关注。外泌体是由绝大多数细胞分泌的双层脂质膜囊泡,可以调控细胞间的交流和信息传递。在白血病细胞、基质细胞和内皮细胞之间的相互联系中都涉及到外泌体,白血病细胞来源的外泌体存在于白血病患者的血浆中,能把其携带的白血病相关抗原及微小RNA呈递给靶细胞,促进白血病肿瘤细胞的增殖,有助于肿瘤细胞实现免疫逃避,保护白血病细胞抵抗化疗药物导致的细胞毒性作用,促进血管生成及肿瘤细胞的迁移。因此,外泌体与白血病的转移、治疗及预后密切相关,可以用来检测和监测白血病的进展。本文综述了外泌体的来源、形成与分泌机制,以及外泌体在白血病发生前、发展中、预后和免疫治疗中所扮演的重要角色。     

日本北海道虻类雌性外生殖器形态(双翅目：虻科)(英文)

【目的】利用日本北海道虻类评估和验证外生殖器在分类学上的意义。【方法】将虻类成虫标本浸渍在生理盐水中并置于双目显微镜下通过针和镊子在培养皿中进行解剖并绘图,观察第9背板、第10背板、尾叶、第8腹板、受精囊、受精囊管及生殖叉器的形态特征。【结果】在日本北海道共记录了虻科(Tabanidae) 3亚科7属38种。我们观察并描述了3亚科其中的6属24种的雌性外生殖器的主要特征。亚科之间存在明显差异;然而在一般情况下属之间很难建立一种方法来确定共同点;种之间只有在斑虻属Chrysops中有相似之处,其他属中则比较多样化。因此,亚科鉴定根据第9背板、第8腹板及受精囊足以进行区分,属及种鉴定需要结合第9背板、第10背板、尾叶、第8腹板、受精囊、受精囊管及生殖叉器各自的特征组合在一起才能区分开来。我们也制作了虻类外生殖器的检索表。【结论】和许多其他昆虫一样,外生殖器是虻科的重要分类特征,对于促进分类学和系统学的发展具有重要意义。本研究首次对分布在日本北海道的虻科雌性外生殖器进行了系统研究。     

Ecological importance of sedges: a survey of the Australasian Cyperaceae genus Lepidosperma

Background

Sedges (Cyperaceae) form an important ecological component of many ecosystems around the world. Sword and rapier sedges (genus Lepidosperma) are common and widespread components of the southern Australian and New Zealand floras, also occurring in New Caledonia, West Papua, Borneo, Malaysia and southern China. Sedge ecology is seldom studied and no comprehensive review of sedge ecology exists. Lepidosperma is unusual in the Cyperaceae with the majority of species occurring in dryland habitats.

Scope

Extensive review of ecological literature and field observations shows Lepidosperma species to be important components of many ecosystems, often dominating understorey and sedge-rich communities. For the first time, a detailed ecological review of a Cyperaceae genus is presented.

Conclusions Lepidosperma

species are long-lived perennials with significant abundance and persistence in the landscape. Speciation patterns in the genus are of considerable interest due to complex biogeographical patterns and a high degree of habitat specificity. Potential benefits exist for medicinal products identified from several Lepidosperma species. Over 178 organisms, including 26 mammals, 42 birds, six reptiles, five amphibians, eight arachnids, 75 insects, three crustaceans and 13 fungi, are found to be dependent on, or making use of, Lepidosperma species. A significant relationship exists between Lepidosperma species and the moth genus Elachista. Implications for the conservation and ecology of both sedges and associated species are discussed.     

Literature based species occurrence data of birds of northeast India

The northeast region of India is one of the world's most significant biodiversity hotspots. One of the richest bird areas in India, it is an important route for migratory birds and home to many endemic bird species. This paper describes a literature-based dataset of species occurrences of birds of northeast India. The occurrence records documented in the dataset are distributed across eleven states of India, viz.: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The geospatial scope of the dataset represents 24 to 29 degree North latitude and 78 to 94 degree East longitude, and it comprises over 2400 occurrence records. These records have been collated from scholarly literature published between1915 and 2008, especially from the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (JBNHS). The temporal scale of the dataset represents bird observations recorded between 1909 and 2007. The dataset has been developed by employing MS Excel. The key elements in the database are scientific name, taxonomic classification, temporal and geospatial details including geo-coordinate precision, data collector, basis of record and primary source of the data record. The temporal and geospatial quality of more than 50% of the data records has been enhanced retrospectively. Where possible, data records are annotated with geospatial coordinate precision to the nearest minute. This dataset is being constantly updated with the addition of new data records, and quality enhancement of documented occurrences. The dataset can be used in species distribution and niche modeling studies. It is planned to expand the scope of the dataset to collate bird species occurrences across the Indian peninsula.     

Characterization of citrus pectin samples extracted under different conditions: influence of acid type and pH of extraction

Background and Aims

Pectin is a complex macromolecule, the fine structure of which is influenced by many factors. It is used as a gelling, thickening and emulsifying agent in a wide range of applications, from food to pharmaceutical products. Current industrial pectin extraction processes are based on fruit peel, a waste product from the juicing industry, in which thousands of tons of citrus are processed worldwide every year. This study examines how pectin components vary in relation to the plant source (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit) and considers the influence of extraction conditions on the chemical and macromolecular characteristics of pectin samples.

Methods

Citrus peel (orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit) from a commercial supplier was used as raw material. Pectin samples were obtained on a bulk plant scale (kilograms; harsh nitric acid, mild nitric acid and harsh oxalic acid extraction) and on a laboratory scale (grams; mild oxalic acid extraction). Pectin composition (acidic and neutral sugars) and physicochemical properties (molar mass and intrinsic viscosity) were determined.

Key Results

Oxalic acid extraction allowed the recovery of pectin samples of high molecular weight. Mild oxalic acid-extracted pectins were rich in long homogalacturonan stretches and contained rhamnogalacturonan I stretches with conserved side chains. Nitric acid-extracted pectins exhibited lower molecular weights and contained rhamnogalacturonan I stretches encompassing few and/or short side chains. Grapefruit pectin was found to have short side chains compared with orange, lime and lemon. Orange and grapefruit pectin samples were both particularly rich in rhamnogalacturonan I backbones.

Conclusions

Structural, and hence macromolecular, variations within the different citrus pectin samples were mainly related to their rhamnogalacturonan I contents and integrity, and, to a lesser extent, to the length of their homogalacturonan domains.     

The Rumen Ciliate Fauna of Domestic Sheep (Ovis ammon aires) from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

ABSTRACT. Concentration and composition of ciliate protozoa in the families Ophryoscolecidae and Isotrichidae were determined in rumen contents of domestic sheep ( Ovis ammon aries ) from Cyprus. A total of five genera of Ophryoscolecidae were identified, Metadinium, Enoploplastron, Polyplastron, Epidinium , and Ophryoscolex , which included six species: Metadinium affine, Enoploplastron triloricatum, Polyplastron multivesiculatum, Epidinium ecaudatum, Epidinium graini, and Ophryoscolex purkynjei. Eight separate forms of Epidinium were identified ( E. ecaudatum f. ecaudatum, E, e. f. caudatum, E. e. f. bicaudatum, E. e. f. tricaudatum, E. e. f. quadricaudatum, E. graini f. graini, E. g. f. caudatricoronatum , and E. g. f. caudaquadricoronatum ), along with five forms of Ophryoscolex purkynjei (O. p. f. purkynjei, O. p. f. bifidobicinctus, O. p. f. bifidoquadricinctus, O. p. f. bicoronatus, O. p. f. tricoronatus , and O. p. f. quadricoronatus). Three species of Isotrichidae were observed, Isotricha intestinalis, I. prostoma , and Dasytricha ruminantium. This study reports new host records for three forms of Epidinium graini and Ophryoscolex purkynjei f. bifidobicinctus. The rumen fauna in the family Ophryoscolecidae from Cypriote domestic sheep appear to have limited diversity compared to those from Turkish and Far Eastern (Chinese/Japanese) sheep, while they are more diverse than those found in Western European (Scottish) and North American (Canadian/Alaskan) sheep.     

Micromanipulation of Gene Expression in the Adult Zebrafish Brain Using Cerebroventricular Microinjection of Morpholino Oligonucleotides

Manipulation of gene expression in tissues is required to perform functional studies. In this paper, we demonstrate the cerebroventricular microinjection (CVMI) technique as a means to modulate gene expression in the adult zebrafish brain. By using CVMI, substances can be administered into the cerebroventricular fluid and be thoroughly distributed along the rostrocaudal axis of the brain. We particularly focus on the use of antisense morpholino oligonucleotides, which are potent tools for knocking down gene expression in vivo. In our method, when applied, morpholino molecules are taken up by the cells lining the ventricular surface. These cells include the radial glial cells, which act as neurogenic progenitors. Therefore, knocking down gene expression in the radial glial cells is of utmost importance to analyze the widespread neurogenesis response in zebrafish, and also would provide insight into how vertebrates could sustain adult neurogenesis response. Such an understanding would also help the efforts for clinical applications in human neurodegenerative disorders and central nervous system regeneration. Thus, we present the cerebroventricular microinjection method as a quick and efficient way to alter gene expression and neurogenesis response in the adult zebrafish forebrain. We also provide troubleshooting tips and other useful information on how to carry out the CVMI procedure.     

Design and Use of Multiplexed Chemostat Arrays

Chemostats are continuous culture systems in which cells are grown in a tightly controlled, chemically constant environment where culture density is constrained by limiting specific nutrients.^1,2 Data from chemostats are highly reproducible for the measurement of quantitative phenotypes as they provide a constant growth rate and environment at steady state. For these reasons, chemostats have become useful tools for fine-scale characterization of physiology through analysis of gene expression^3-6 and other characteristics of cultures at steady-state equilibrium.⁷ Long-term experiments in chemostats can highlight specific trajectories that microbial populations adopt during adaptive evolution in a controlled environment. In fact, chemostats have been used for experimental evolution since their invention.⁸ A common result in evolution experiments is for each biological replicate to acquire a unique repertoire of mutations.^9-13 This diversity suggests that there is much left to be discovered by performing evolution experiments with far greater throughput. We present here the design and operation of a relatively simple, low cost array of miniature chemostats—or ministats—and validate their use in determination of physiology and in evolution experiments with yeast. This approach entails growth of tens of chemostats run off a single multiplexed peristaltic pump. The cultures are maintained at a 20 ml working volume, which is practical for a variety of applications. It is our hope that increasing throughput, decreasing expense, and providing detailed building and operation instructions may also motivate research and industrial application of this design as a general platform for functionally characterizing large numbers of strains, species, and growth parameters, as well as genetic or drug libraries.     

A Microplate Assay to Assess Chemical Effects on RBL-2H3 Mast Cell Degranulation: Effects of Triclosan without Use of an Organic Solvent

Mast cells play important roles in allergic disease and immune defense against parasites. Once activated (e.g. by an allergen), they degranulate, a process that results in the exocytosis of allergic mediators. Modulation of mast cell degranulation by drugs and toxicants may have positive or adverse effects on human health. Mast cell function has been dissected in detail with the use of rat basophilic leukemia mast cells (RBL-2H3), a widely accepted model of human mucosal mast cells^3-5. Mast cell granule component and the allergic mediator β-hexosaminidase, which is released linearly in tandem with histamine from mast cells⁶, can easily and reliably be measured through reaction with a fluorogenic substrate, yielding measurable fluorescence intensity in a microplate assay that is amenable to high-throughput studies¹. Originally published by Naal et al.¹, we have adapted this degranulation assay for the screening of drugs and toxicants and demonstrate its use here.Triclosan is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent that is present in many consumer products and has been found to be a therapeutic aid in human allergic skin disease^7-11, although the mechanism for this effect is unknown. Here we demonstrate an assay for the effect of triclosan on mast cell degranulation. We recently showed that triclosan strongly affects mast cell function². In an effort to avoid use of an organic solvent, triclosan is dissolved directly into aqueous buffer with heat and stirring, and resultant concentration is confirmed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry (using ε₂₈₀ = 4,200 L/M/cm)¹². This protocol has the potential to be used with a variety of chemicals to determine their effects on mast cell degranulation, and more broadly, their allergic potential.