Comparison of protein synthesis profiles in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells and B-lymphocytes from peripheral blood,cord blood and tonsil

2D-gel electrophoresis was used to investigate protein synthesis in leukaemic cells from a series of 15 chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) patients, and in non-malignant B-cell populations from different sources. The protein synthesis profiles of CD5+ B-cells from umbilical cord blood and from tonsil were determined, and the levels of expression of their proteins were observed to be similar to the CLL cells. The CD5-cells from cord blood resembled peripheral blood B-lymphocytes, and the protein synthesis profile of CD5-cells from tonsils was very complex. One protein was also identified which consistently appeared to be synthesised at a low level in CD5+ B-cells from tonsil but which was always more prominant in CLL cells and other non-malignant B-lymphocytes. On the basis of these data it is possible that the closest non-malignant counterpart to CLL is the CD5+ B-lymphocyte from cord blood.     

Über die Chemodifferenzierung der Stammganglien der Ratte

Summary In foetal rat stem ganglia originating from the diencephalon, chemodifferentiation and morphogenesis take place earlier than in those from the telencephalon. Between 3 and 10 days postnatally, enzyme activities of all regions largely level up; later, the structures from the telencephalon show higher activities. Exceptions are acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase, whose activities are higher in the stem ganglia from the diencephalon than in those from the telencephalon. The globus pallidus behaves in every respect like the structures from the diencephalon.     

Alloxan-induced hyperglycemia increases progestin and androgen accumulation by isolated rabbit follicles in vitro

Follicles isolated from Alloxan-treated rabbits and incubated in vitro, accumulated more progesterone and testosterone than those from saline-treated rabbits. LH augmented the accumulation of these 2 steroids. By contrast, the estradiol response to LH stimulation by follicles from Alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rabbits was diminished when compared to follicles from saline-treated rabbits. Ovaries from hyperglycemic rabbits also appeared to have more cystic follicles.     

Macrophage origin of platelet activating factor]

Platelet-activating factor (P.A.F.) is a mediator of anaphylaxis released from human and Rabbit basophils which causes aggregation of platelets and release of their vasoactive amines. We have induced the release of P.A.F. from Rat peritoneal cells (P.C.) with ionophore A 23187. After fractionation of P.C. on 5-15% Ficoll gradients, P.A.F. was obtained from macrophage-rich but not from mastocyte-rich fractions and from adherent cells but not from non adherent cells. These data suggest an important new function for the macrophage: aggregation of platelets and release of their vasoactive amines and others mediators of inflammation.     

Isolation of the yellow fever virus from an egg-cluster and the larvae of the tick Amblyomma variegatum]

The yellow fever virus is isolated in natura from eggs of a Tick Amblyomma variegatum. It is then isolated from larvae issued from the same egg-cluster and also from blood of a monkey bitten by larvae of the same origin. It is reported that the same virus has been previously obtained from adults of the same species of Tick. An acarine appears for the first time as a sylvatic vector and reservoir (at least temporary) of yellow fever.     

Galactose transfer and UDP-Galactose hydrolysis in urine from normal balb/c and Balb/c YC8 mice

Summary By chromatographic method we have shown the existence of a complex system for galactose transfer from UDP-galactose and for nucleotide hydrolysis in urines from Balb/c YC8 and normal Balb/c mice. By action of sera from normal and ascitic mice as source of enzyme, we have been able to detect transfer for galactose in urines from ascitic mice and an important inhibitory effect of the nucleotide sugar hydrolysis by the sera with urines from normal mice.     

A simple diagnostic method for the differentiation of Tamm-Horsfall glycoproteins from healthy probands and those from recurrent calcium oxalate renal stone formers

Tamm-Horsfall glycoproteins (THPs)^* from healthy probands, and those from a majority of recurrent calcium oxalate renal stone formers, reveal different properties when analyzed using isoelectric focusing. The pl-values of THPs from healthy probands are approximately 3.5 while THPs from recurrent renal stone formers have pl-values between 4.5 and 6. The two groups of THPs exhibit completely different protein patterns in IEF. This proves the structural difference of these THPs. The differences in IEF analysis allow the differentiation between THPs from healthy probands and those from recurrent calcium oxalate stone formers. These differences could possibly by used as a simple diagnostic method for the recognition of recurrent calcium oxalate renal stone formers.     

Geographic populations of the medfly may be differentiated by mitochondrial DNA variation

Restriction enzyme cleavage sites of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the Mediterranean fruit fly were found to vary among introduced populations in the Neotropics. The survey included samples from 15 established natural populations and 5 laboratory cultures from Hawaii, Central America, South America and West Africa and samples from recent California infestations (1989, 1991). Based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms from 2 enzymes, Hawaii is an unlikely source for the 1989 and 1991 California infestations. Interpopulational variation in mtDNA demonstrates the potential for the technique to trace the process of colonization (geographic spread) by this insect.     

Alloxan-induced hyperglycemia increases progestin and androgen accumulation by isolated rabbit follicles in vitro

Summary Follicles isolated from Alloxan-treated rabbits and incubated in vitro, accumulated more progesterone and testosterone than those from saline-treated rabbits. LH augmented the accumulation of these 2 steroids. By contrast, the estradiol response to LH stimulation by follicles from Alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rabbits was diminished when compared to follicles from saline-treated rabbits. Ovaries from hyperglycemic rabbits also appeared to have more cystic follicles.This work was supported by the Medical Research Council of Canada. The technical assistance of Misses P. Dimond and J. Osoko is gratefully acknowledged. Dr B.R. Bhavnani provided the stimulus for this study.     

Modulation of protein kinases and phosphoprotein phosphatases by a small acidic protein from bovine brains

Summary A small, acidic and heat-stable protein was purified from bovine brains by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Bio-Gel HTP, Affi-Gel phenothiazine and Sephadex G-75. This protein stimulates megamodulin-dependent protein kinase I from brains and phosphoprotein phosphatases from either brain or yeast. However, it inhibits cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases from skeletal muscle.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by a grant (RR-08229) from the National Institutes of Health, USA. W.N. Kuo is a recipient of a Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award from United Negro College Fund, Inc., USA.