Restriction enzyme analysis of the β-globin gene in DNA from β°-thalassaemic subjects from Ferrara

The map of restriction sites including and surrounding the δ- and β-globin genes has been established for three Ferrara β°-thalassaemic subjects. The fragments obtained using nine restriction enzymes do not show any differences from normal DNA. Among others, restriction enzymes giving short fragments at the 5′ and 3′ ends of the β-globin structural gene have been employed. The results obtained for the thalassaemic DNA are identical to those for control DNA, thus excluding the presence of extensive deletions in or adjacent to the coding regions of the β-globin gene in Ferrara β°-thalassaemia.     

Lipolysis of ApoC-II deficient very low density lipoproteins: enhancement of lipoprotein lipase action by synthetic fragments of apoC-II.

Enzymic hydrolysis of triacylglycerol has been studied with very low density lipoproteins from an individual with a genetically determined absence of apoC-II, the activator apoprotein for lipoprotein lipase. Normal rates of ester cleavage by purified bovine milk lipoprotein lipase can be achieved $\text{in}\text{vitro}$ with native apoC-II and by three shorter synthetic peptides, apoC-II(55–78), apoC-II(50–78) and apoC-II(43–78), which contain part of the carboxyl terminal third of the native apoprotein. At 0.5 μM concentration, all peptides produced a 7-fold activation. ApoC-II(43–78), but not apoC-II(50–78) or apoC-II(55–78), could bind VLDL as shown by separation of unbound ¹²⁵I peptides and the lipoproteins. Thus, residues 43–50 of apoC-II are part of a lipid binding region. High affinity binding of apoC-II peptides to the lipoprotein substrate is not obligatory for activation of lipoprotein lipase.     

Inhibition of modulation of thymus-leukemia antigens by concanavalin A.

When incubated at 37 °C in medium containing antibodies specific for thymus-leukemia (TL) antigens, viable cells bearing these antigens become resistant to the cytolytic effects of guinea pig complement, a process termed antigenic modulation. Antibody-induced membrane redistribution of the TL antigens, detected by indirect immunofluorescence, occurs with a similar pace. When high concentrations of concanavalin A (Con A) were included with antibodies in the incubation medium, TL antigenic modulation as well as antigen patching and capping were markedly inhibited, similar to effects of Con A on membrane immunoglobulin redistribution with murine spleen cells. Colchicine antagonized the inhibition by Con A suggesting the involvement of microtubules. In parallel experiments high concentrations of Con A failed to alter the quantity of TL antigen expression or its rate of change with time during incubation in cognate antisera. These results support the hypotheses that (a) generalized alterations in membrane receptor mobility may be induced by ligand binding to the cell membrane, and (b) under certain conditions stable interactions occur between normally independent cell surface antigens.     

Local cold exposure of Andean Indians during normal and simulated activities.

Thermal resonses of Andean Indians were measured during several customary tasks associated with cold exposure in the highlands of southern Peru. These included surface temperature measurements of women while they washed clothing in the river and similar measurements of men while they constructed a diversion channel in the same river. A third test measured the effects of alcohol consumption on body temperatures during light activity. Women maintained slightly warmer hand than foot temperatures. Men maintained nearly equal hand and foot temperatures during the exposure period. Among male subjects the foot rewarmed at a faster rate than the hand. The results from the field studies compared favorably with results from earlier laboratory exposure tests. Comparisons between the river water exposure tests for males and females showed a consistent pattern where females maintained warmer hand and foot temperatures than males. These findings were in accord with previous laboratory studies among Quechua Indians and with the findings reported for other ethnic groups who experience natural cold stress. Alcohol ingestion appeared to have minimal effect in mitigating cold stress response during light activity. This finding was counter to earlier laboratory tests of resting subjects.