Post-translational heterogeneity of the human vitamin D-binding protein (group-specific component)

The vitamin D-binding protein in human serum (the group-specific component) is an alpha 2-globulin which is genetically polymorphic in all populations studied. Previous work (J. Svasti and B. H. Bowman (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 5188-5194, and J. Svasti, A. Kurosky, A. Bennett, and B. H. Bowman (1979) Biochemistry 18, 1611-1617) has shown that the electrophoretic variations of the proteins controlled by two allelic genes, Gc1 and Gc2, are due to at least three amino acid substitutions between Gc1 and Gc2 (Svasti et al. (1979] and to heterogeneity in the Gc1 phenotype arising from carbohydrate dissimilarities. Gc1 migrates electrophoretically as two protein bands, while Gc2 migrates cathodally as a single band. This study demonstrates a post-translational glycosylation difference occurring in a single area of the Gc1 sequence which accounts for the heterogeneity observed previously. The glycosylation site, a threonine residue, appears to be in a sequence which differs between Gc1 and Gc2. The O-glycosidic bond, which is typical of mucins, is rare in plasma proteins. The cyanogen bromide fragment containing the galactosamine-containing carbohydrate in Gc1 was partially sequenced through 20 residues from the amino terminus. No detectable galactosamine could be found in the homologous cyanogen bromide fragment in Gc2. A new purification procedure for the vitamin D-binding protein in human plasma has been developed. Three chromatographic steps provide purified protein.     

Rare syndromes. The Kaufman-McKusick syndrome. A review of the 44 cases reported in the literature

The Kaufman-McKusick syndrome (MK 23670) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the triad of hydrometrocolpos, postaxial polydactyly, and congenital heart disease. Multiple other anomalies have been ascribed to this syndrome. Hydrometrocolpos, especially if unrecognized, may be a serious, life-threatening condition in the newborn girl. Forty-four cases have been so far reported in the literature. A great phenotypic variability occurs in this syndrome, therefore making it very difficult to identify the disorder at its presentation and classify it correctly. We shall hereafter review current data regarding the prominent clinical features, the diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome. Problems in genetic counseling will be discussed.     

Tolerance induction by the peroral administration of protein antigens

The possibility of inducing systemic tolerance in animals by feeding them with ovalbumin and human serum was studied on mice, rats and rabbits. Antibodies to ovalbumin, human serum albumin and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) were determined by the passive hemagglutination test in the sera of the test and control animals after the second immunization made through a parenteral route. Tolerance to all the antigens under study was obtained in mice and rats, while in rabbits such feeding was found to produce the priming effect. The degree of tolerance was the greater, the more was the dose of the antigen and the longer was the period of feeding. Different proteins showed varying tolerogenic activity; the same degree of tolerance in mice was obtained by feeding them with IgG in a dose of 0.3-0.5 mg and with ovalbumin or human serum albumin in a dose of 6-12 mg (per gram of body weight). Tolerance was determined on day 3 after the course of feeding was over; in 3 weeks tolerance essentially decreased, and in 1.5-2 months it was replaced by normal reactiveness. Tolerance induced by the oral administration of antigens proved to be immunologically specific.     

Population Changes of Heterodera glycines and Soybean Yields Resulting from Soil Treatment with Alachlor,Fenamiphos, and Ethoprop

The population dynamics of Heterodera glycines as influenced by alachlor, fenamiphos, and ethoprop alone and in herbicide-nematicide combinations were studied in the field. Numbers of H. glycines juveniles and eggs were higher at midseason and harvest where nematicides were applied. Fenamiphos alone or in combination with alachlor provided better control of H. glycines and greater seed yields than treatments with ethoprop. Numbers of H. glycines eggs at harvest in 1980 were positively correlated with numbers of juveniles at planting in 1981 and negatively related to seed yield in 1981.     

Parity violation and the origins of biomolecular handedness

The violation of parity by the weak interactions ensures that enantiomeric chiral molecules have inequivalent energies, one being inherently stabilized with respect to the other. These parity-violating energy differences have been calculated for a number of fundamental biomolecules including a series of alpha-amino acids, polypeptide structures, and a representative of the sugar series together with its variation over a possible prebiotic reaction path leading to alpha-amino acids. In each case the natural enantiomer found in terrestrial biochemistry was shown to be intrinsically stabilized and preferred over its unnatural enantiomer. The significance of these results in accounting for the prebiotic origins of the terrestrial biomolecular homochirality is discussed and the possible consequences of parity-violating energy differences in mineral catalysts during the prebiotic era considered.     

Determination of the heat resistance of spores using a solid heating block system

A simple and accurate technique for the determination of the heat resistance of spores is described. The technique combines a modified capillary tube method with a solid heating block. The come-up time of spore suspensions was found to be short and simple and accurate technique is suggested for the correction of the come-up times. Experimental results are presented for the destruction of spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus at 120 which indicates the accuracy and reproducibility of the new method.