Zinc ions and alkaline PH alter the phosphorylated state of proteins 3 and 4.2 in human erythrocyte membranes

The phosphorylation patterns of isolated red blood cell (RBC) membranes labeled with [ γ-³²p]ATP are altered by Zn⁺⁺ ions. Zn⁺⁺ ions caused an increased phosphate incorporation into a 72 KDa protein and several proteins in the 40–60 KDa region and a decrease in the labeling of a 53 KDa protein. The 72 KDa and 53 KDa proteins have been identified as protein 4.2 and a protease-cleaved fragment of protein 3, respectively. Evidence suggests that the changes in phosphorylation pattern may be due to the stimulation of endogenous membrane alkaline phosphatase(s). Our results suggest that Zn⁺⁺, at physiological concentrations in the intact erythrocyte, could modulate the phosphorylation of selected proteins which may regulate their association in the cytoskeletal network.     

Presence of antibodies reacting specifically with structural proteins of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) among antibodies composing circulating immune complexes in breast cancer patients

All-Union Oncologic Scientific Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR N. N. Trapeznikov.) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 105, No. 4, pp. 475–477, April, 1988.     

Relationship between maternal- and fetal-specific IgE

AIM: A positive correlation between maternal and cord-blood IgE levels is well documented for total IgEs, but not for specific IgEs. The difficulty in detecting specific cord-blood IgEs is due to their low concentrations, which hinder their dosage by low-sensitivity methods. The study aimed to correlate maternal and foetal specific IgEs against individual cow's milk proteins, detected by highly sensitive and specific techniques. METHODS: Cow's milk specific IgE detection was performed by chemiluminescence on 52 specimens of maternal and cord blood after cow's milk protein separation by 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis. Cow's milk protein (CMP) antigens were identified by mass spectrometry techniques. RESULTS: Specific IgEs for CMPs were found in 25/52 (48.1%) of maternal sera and in 19/52 (37%) of cord-blood sera. In order of decreasing frequency, the proteins found were BSA, IgG heavy chain, caseins and, in a single case, b-lactoglobulin. Positive cord-blood sera in all cases corresponded to a positive maternal result, and maternal and foetal immunoreactivity patterns were closely correlated. Moreover, in no case was there a positive cord-blood response with a negative maternal response. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates a close relationship between maternal and cord-blood specific IgE patterns. The phenomenon observed could provide a model to elucidate the general production method of foetal IgEs, which might only be produced in the presence of both the corresponding maternal IgE and the related allergen.     

The heat shock/oxidative stress connection

Involvement of free-radical oxidations in the aging process has been a topic of interest since Harman's original contribution. Because of the close association between aging and Alzheimer disease (AD) and the qualitative similarity in the neuropathology of both conditions, it has been proposed by many investigators that oxidative stress may be important in AD. If such modality of injury was indeed involved, one should expect to find markers of oxidation and heat shock (since free radicals are key mediators of heat-shock induction) in brains of patients with AD. In fact, several studies documented abnormal expression of antioxidant enzymes and heat-shock proteins (HSP) along with other markers of oxidation in AD brains. We showed that abnormally expressed antioxidant enzymes are topographically associated with senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and that the activity of these enzymes is (contrary to what one would expect) markedly reduced. These findings have recently been confirmed by other investigators. Despite a large amount of evidence that suggests an association between oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of AD, it is not yet known whether oxidative stress is a cause or consequence of the disorder. Future research efforts regarding the oxidative stress hypothesis of AD should include attempts, at generating AD pathology by oxidative means in laboratory animals, determining the role and integrity of the heat-shock response in AD, as well as that of various antioxidant systems, growth factors, and hormones with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.     

Comparison of salivary calmodulin binding proteins in Sjögren''s syndrome and healthy individuals

Background: Reduction in salivary secretion is the hallmark of Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Calmodulin (CaM) and calmodulin binding proteins (CaMBPs) play a key role in the secretory process of saliva. Recent studies have suggested that SS‐B, an autoantibody associated with SS, is a CaMBP. This finding suggests that CaMBP may contribute to the loss of saliva in SS. To better understand the role(s) of these proteins in SS, the purpose of this study was to compare salivary CaMBPs in Sjögren's patients and controls. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 20 patients and 20 age‐, race‐, and gender‐matched controls. CaM overlay was used to identify CaMBPs in saliva of patients and controls. Results: Higher number of salivary CaMBPs was observed among patients than controls. Conclusions: The increased number of salivary CaMBPs in SS may suggest a potential role for these proteins in the pathogenesis of the disease.     

停跳或不停跳心脏手术对血清 S-100B蛋白表达的影响

【目的】研究心脏手术围术期血清S-100B蛋白表达及其与停跳或不停跳心肺转流方式和时间的关系。【方法】体外循环心脏手术患者23例,测转流前、转流10min、转流末、转流后24h的血清S-100B蛋白表达水平。【结果】①血清S-100B蛋白质量浓度在体外循环前后动态变化:转流前(M)为0.27μg/L,转流10min后升至0.57μg/L(P<0.01),转流末达峰值1.80μg/L(P<0.01),转流后24h降为0.22μg/L(P>0.05)。转流末的血清S-100B蛋白质量浓度与转流时间呈正相关(r=0.488,P<0.05)。②停跳组(n=6)转流前、转流10min、转流末、转流后24h平均血清S-100B蛋白质量浓度分别为(0.17±0.09)μg/L、(0.48±0.13)μg/L、(1.65±0.52)μg/L和(0.19±0.04)μg/L,不停跳组(n=6)分别为(0.26±0.14)μg/L、(0.71±0.41)μg/L、(1.59±0.84)μg/L和(0.23±0.11)μg/L,两组差别无统计学意义(P>0.05)。【结论】体外循环可导致血清S-100B蛋白表达增高,其表达水平与心肺转流时间呈正相关,但与停跳或不停跳转流方式无关。     

Die Insuffizienz der intraabdominellen Infektabwehr bei der eitrigen Peritonitis — Folge einer gestörten Fremdkörperopsonierung

Summary Despite a high concentration of serum proteins and intact phagocytes peritonitis exudates contain a large number of viable, pathogenic bacteria. The reason for this biological paradox is unknown. Our investigations reveal a pronounced defect in humoral opsonization of foreign particles in peritonitis exudate. We evaluated a modified chemiluminescence system allowing the determination of opsonic activity in serum and exudate. In serum we found a close correlation between opsonic activity and immunologically measurable levels of C₃-complement and IgG. In purulent peritonitis exudates, however, the actual opsonizing activity was much less than expected according to the opsonin concentrations. We found a pronounced difference between immunologically determined opsonin levels and impaired opsonic function. Employing crossed immunoelectrophoresis massive C₃-splitting into smaller fragments could be demonstrated in peritonitis exudates. In these exudates we found very high concentrations of granulocyte proteolytic (elastase) and oxidative (myeloperoxidase) enzymes which may lead to a functional destruction of opsonins followed by impaired opsonization in peritonitis exudate. The great number of bacteria and foreign particles in addition can cause a pronounced physiological consumption of complement components. The almost complete breakdown of intact C₃-complement in intraabdominal exudate explains the deficient host defence in patients with severe peritonitis.

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Abkürzungsverzeichnis CL Chemilumineszenz - IgG Immunglobulin G - OK Opsonierungskapazität     

微量沙眼衣原体组织培养法的建立及临床应用

建立了微量沙眼衣原体组织培养法，并应用于不同人群的生殖道标本的沙眼衣原体培养。结果生殖道沙眼衣原体培养的阳性率：男性尿道炎患者１４７％（９／６１）；正常孕妇３３％（７／２１０）；急性和亚急性盆腔炎女性患者６７％（７／１０４）；性病门诊患者１８２％（４９／２６９）。由于９６孔培养板及倒置荧光显微镜的应用，微量培养法试剂用量少、过程简化；自制的抗沙眼衣原体单克隆抗体大大降低了培养后的染色成本，适用于大宗标本。     

Inhibition and superactivation of the calcium-stimulated isoforms of adenylyl cyclase

It was shown previously that chronic exposure to opiate agonists increases adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity, a phenomenon termed AC superactivation (or supersensitization). More recently, we showed that acute G_i/o-coupled receptor activation inhibits the activity of several AC isozymes, including Ca²⁺/calmodulin-stimulated AC-I and -VIII, whereas chronic receptor activation induces their superactivation. Here, we report that both acute μ-opioid receptor-induced inhibition and chronic induced superactivation of AC-I and -VIII are pertussis toxin sensitive. In addition, we show that proteins that interfere with the activity of {ie195-2} subunits ({ie195-3} scavengers) strongly attenuate the acute inhibition of AC-I and -VIII and the superactivation of AC-I, and abolish the superactivation of AC-VIII. Based on these results, we suggest that {ie195-4} is involved in the acute inhibition and chronic agonist-induced superactivation of AC types I and VIII.     

用荧光探剂DPH研究家蝇线粒体膜脂流动性

本文探讨了用ＤＰＨ作为荧光探剂，研究家蝇飞翔肌线粒体膜脂流动性的方法。实验表明：ＤＰＨ确是用来研究家蝇生物膜流动性的有效探剂。同时，初步观察了不同杀虫剂对ＤＰＨ与线粒体膜结合后荧光强度的影响。其中氯菊酯和倍硫磷、马拉硫磷、敌百虫、氧化乐果，可使ＤＰＨ探剂与线粒体膜结合后的荧光相对强度增加；而氰戊菊酯、氯氰菊酯，溴氰菊酯及辛硫磷、乙酰甲胺磷，则可使荧光强度减弱。