Expression of protein HC on the plasma membrane of different human cell types.

The surface expression of a recently described plasma glycoprotein called human complex-forming glycoprotein, hetergeneous in charge (protein HC) on a number of different human cell types was investigated. By means of direct and indirect immunofluorescence, protein HC was shown to be associated with the surface of virtually all cells of the investigated normal cell types including erythrocytes, peripheral blood B and T lymphocytes, and the human fibroblast lines HE 81, HE 31, and WI 38. When transformed and malignant cell populations were studied, it was found that some populations (e.g., the T cell line Molt-4) carried protein HC on the surfaces of very few cells, whereas other cell populations (e.g., chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes) carried the protein on most cells. Malignant cell populations with intermediary percentages of protein HC-positive cells were also found. Protein HC on the cell surface of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes could be redistributed by incubation of the cells with anti-protein HC-antiserum at 37 degrees C, and this reaction could be inhibited by sodium azide.     

Evaluation of trichothecene and nontrichothecene mycotoxins produced byFusarium in soybeans

Each of 12 cultures ofFusarium, comprising four species, isolated from moldy soybeans suspected of being involved in illness of wild geese, were grown separately in autoclaved moist rice, in autoclaved moist soybeans, and in surface sterilized-disinfected soybeans, assayed for various mycotoxins, and fed to rats. Four additional cultures that produced known toxins on rice were also grown on soybeans as controls. All isolates, except one ofF moniliforme, grown in rice resulted in weight loss of rats, and that one resulted in weight gain; 12 of the isolates caused death. One isolate ofF poae grown in soybeans caused death when consumed by rats, but none of the other 15 resulted in weight loss or overt injury. Much larger amounts of zearalenone, deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin, neosolaniol, T-2 tetraol, wortmannin, and moniliformin were produced by the cultures on rice than on soybeans, but more HT-2 toxin was produced by one isolate ofF poae grown on soybeans than when grown on rice. Soybeans appear to be a poor substrate for elaboration of most of the toxins produced by the isolates tested.