Nonsensitized murine B lymphocytes produce mouse interferon α/β in response to foreign cells

Nonsensitized murine lymphocytes produced mouse interferon when cocultured with foreign and transformed cells. Neutralization tests revealed that this interferon was of the α/β type. The B lymphocyte appeared responsible for the bulk of the interferon production as determined by cell “panning,” complement-mediated depletion, and immunofluorescence experiments.     

Human G Protein γ11 and γ14 Subtypes Define a New Functional Subclass

The mammalian γ subunit family consists of a minimum of 12 members. Analysis of the amino acid sequence conservation suggests that the γ subunit family can be divided into three distinct subclasses. The division of the γ subunit family into these classes is based not only on amino acid homology, but also to some extent on functional similarities. In the present study, two new members of the γ subunit family, the γ₁₁ and γ₁₄ subunits, are identified and characterized in terms of their expression and function. The γ₁₁ and γ₁₄ subunits are most closely related to the γ₁ subunit and share similar biochemical properties, suggesting their inclusion in class I. However, despite their close phylogenetic relationship and similar biochemical properties, the γ₁, γ₁₁, and γ₁₄ subunits exhibit very distinct expression patterns, suggesting that class I should be further subdivided and that the signaling functions of each subgroup are distinct. In this regard, the γ₁₁ and γ₁₄ subunits represent a new subgroup of farnesylated γ subunits that are expressed outside the retina and have functions other than phototransduction.     

Lipoxene: a new group of trihydroxy pentaenes of eicosapentaenoic acid derived from porcine leukocytes

Incubation of porcine leukocytes with [1-14C]-15-hydroperoxyeicosapentaenoic acid (15-HPEPE) results in the formation of a group of polar metabolites which after separation and purification by RP-HPLC and SP-HPLC were found to be a series of new compounds containing three hydroxy groups and four conjugated double bonds. The structures of these new metabolites were established by U. V. spectrophotometry and GC/MS to be trihydroxy pentaenes of EPA, i.e., 5,6,15-trihydroxy-7,9,11,13,17-eicosapentaenoic acid and 5,14,15-trihydroxy-6,8,10,12,17-eicosapentaenoic acid. Because of the additional double bond at C17-18, these two new metabolites of EPA were proposed to be lipoxene A and lipoxene B, respectively.     

Source of oestrogen in early pregnancy in the mare

Oestrogen secretion was determined by oestrogen conjugate (EC) analysis of urine in three groups of pregnant mares: Group I (N = 6), animals ovariectomized on Day 18-19 of gestation with pregnancy maintained by daily administration of an oral progestagen, altrenogest; Group II (N = 9), untreated, pregnant mares; Group III (N = 5) intact, pregnant mares treated daily with altrenogest. The mean EC concentrations in the ovariectomized mares in Group I increased in a constant linear manner from 17 ng/mg Cr on Day 20 to 291 ng/mg Cr on Day 70, with no apparent surge in oestrogen secretion around Day 39. Mean EC concentrations on Days 33, 39 and 44 were respectively 41, 48, and 73 ng/mg Cr. In the intact mares in Groups II and III (shown in parentheses), the mean urinary EC concentrations were 201 (171) ng/mg Cr between Days 20 and 33 of gestation, increased rapidly from 172 (77) ng/mg Cr on Day 33 to a peak of 1066 (895) ng/mg Cr on Day 39, followed by a decline to 637 (719) ng/mg Cr on Day 44. After Day 44, EC concentrations continued to increase in a linear manner to 1191 (842) ng/mg Cr on Day 70. The mean EC concentrations between Days 20 and 70 in Group I were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than in mares in Groups II and III. EC concentrations in Group III mares were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than in Group II mares between Days 28 and 34.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sexual behavior and serum concentrations of reproductive hormones in normal stallions

Recently, it has been reported that impotence in the stallion has a physiological basis that involves decreased serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol-17beta, but not testosterone. We have found such a hormonal profile in two of nine stallions studied during an ongoing investigation of the endocrinology of the normal stallion. Nevertheless, both of these stallions possessed vigorous libido and normal seminal characteristics. We conclude that the hormonal profile of low LH, low estradiol and normal testosterone, although it may accompany impotence in the stallion, is not predictive of, or causally related to, abnormalities in sexual behavior.     

India ink staining of proteins on nylon and hydrophobic membranes

India ink was found to be an acceptable stain for proteins blotted or dotted onto positively charged nylon or hydrophobic membranes. The hydrophobic membrane, Immobilon, was an outstanding matrix for binding proteins and displayed low levels of background staining. The least amount of protein detected by india ink staining was between 1.0 and 10 ng. India ink staining of proteins on nylon membranes is an easy, inexpensive, and quick method for the unequivocal detection of both standards and unknowns in the same blot. However, inks, ink concentrations, fixing conditions, staining times, pH, washing conditions, and membrane lots all need to be controlled to achieve maximum sensitivity for protein detection following india ink staining.