Preparation of specific antiserum againstRana esculenta pre-α lens crystallin

Summary Specific antiserum againstRana esculenta lens pre- crystallin was prepared in a rabbit by injecting antigen-antibody precipitate of this crystallin obtained from immunoelectrophoresis ofesculenta total soluble lens proteins against homologous antiserum.Acknowledgments. We thank Mr.A. Wachter for the excellent technical help, Mr.Th. Hulskes and Mr.A. M. v. Egeraat for the illustrations and finally Dr.W. E. Hawkins for valuable discussion.     

Crystallin proteins and amyloid fibrils

Improper protein folding (misfolding) can lead to the formation of disordered (amorphous) or ordered (amyloid fibril) aggregates. The major lens protein, α-crystallin, is a member of the small heat-shock protein (sHsp) family of intracellular molecular chaperone proteins that prevent protein aggregation. Whilst the chaperone activity of sHsps against amorphously aggregating proteins has been well studied, its action against fibril-forming proteins has received less attention despite the presence of sHsps in deposits found in fibril-associated diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s). In this review, the literature on the interaction of αB-crystallin and other sHsps with fibril-forming proteins is summarized. In particular, the ability of sHsps to prevent fibril formation, their mechanisms of action and the possible in vivo consequences of such associations are discussed. Finally, the fibril-forming propensity of the crystallin proteins and its implications for cataract formation are described along with the potential use of fibrillar crystallin proteins as bionanomaterials. Received 13 June 2008; received after revision 29 July 2008; accepted 05 August 2008     

Is vitellogenin a cuticular component of the female locust?

Summary One major antigen, present in female cuticle, female blood and eggs, is revealed by the antiserum against soluble cuticular proteins of adults locusts, and by all the antisera against vitellin or vitellogenin. It is not revealed by the specific antiserum against diglyceride-binding lipoprotein. The presence of this major antigen in the cuticle depends on the presence of vitellogenin in the blood.     

Identification of rho-antigenic determinants on the surface of mouse T-lymphocytes.

A monospecific antiserum has been prepared in rabbits against purified rho-antigen, a 100,000 mol.wt glycoprotein found on the surface of mouse L-cells. This antiserum has been employed to demonstrate the presence of rho-antigenic determinants selectively on the surface of mouse T-, but not B-lymphocytes.     

Liposomes as immunological carriers for the preparation of antimannosyl antibodies

Antiserum was raised against an aminophenyl derivative of D-mannose grafted on to a liposomal surface. As characterized by immunodiffusion, quantitative precipitation and hapten inhibition, the antiserum was found to contain mannose specific antibodies in addition to antibodies against the aromatic phenyl group.     

Immunochemical identification of vitellogenin in the serum of the newt Triturus cristatus.

The hematic yold precursor--vitellogenin--has been identified immunochemically in the serum of estrogenized females of the nest Triturus cristatus by employing an antiserum prepared against yold proteins.     

The dopaminergic innervation as observed by immunohistochemistry using anti-dopamine serum in the rat cerebral cortex

By using an antiserum raised against dopamine bound to bovine serum albumin, thinner dopamine-labeled nerve terminals were visualized immunohistochemically within neocortical areas, in addition to well-documented dopaminergic innervation into the prefrontal and limbic cortices.     

Liposomes as immunological carriers for the preparation of antimannosyl antibodies

Summary Antiserum was raised against an aminophenyl derivative of D-mannose grafted on to a liposomal surface. As characterized by immunodiffucion, quantitative precipitation and hapten inhibition, the antiserum was found to contain mannose specific antibodies in addition to antibodies against the aromatic phenyl group. Acknowledgment. We would like to thank Mr S. Kumar Roy for his excellen technical assistance.     

Immunochemical identification of vitellogenin in the serum of the newtTriturus cristatus

Summary The hematic yolk precursor — vitellogenin — has been identified immunochemically in the serum of estrogenized females of the newtTriturus cristatus by employing an antiserum prepared against yolk proteins.     

Appearance of sex hormone receptors in frog (Rana esculenta) tadpole skin during metamorphosis.

In tadpole skin of Rana esculenta, a specific testosterone receptor was detected during the climax in both males and females. The Kass ranged between 1 and 2.79 x 10(9)M-1.     

Demonstration of tissue-specific antigens shared by normal pancreas and pancreatic neoplasms

Summary Xenoantiserum raised against extracts of normal hamster pancreas, after absorption with normal tissues, reacted specifically with normal hamster and human pancreas by immunodiffusion. Absorbed antiserum also reacted with hamster and human pancreatic carcinoma but not with other neoplasms. Immunization of hamsters with normal pancreas extracts prevented growth of transplantable pancreatic carcinomas.     

Radioimmunoassay of an invertebrate peptide hormone - the crustacean neurosecretory hyperglycemic hormone.

Antibodies against hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) of Carcinus were raised in rabbits by injection of extract from sinus glands which contain high concentrations of CHH. The antiserum neutralizes the biological activity of CHH and binds 125-J-CHH. A RIA for CHH was established and was used to measure the hormone content of sinus glands.     

Demonstration of tissue-specific antigens shared by normal pancreas and pancreatic neoplasms

Xenoantiserum raised against extracts of normal hamster pancreas, after absorption with normal tissues, reacted specifically with normal hamster and human pancreas by immunodiffusion. Absorbed antiserum also reacted with hamster and human pancreatic carcinoma but not with other neoplasms. Immunization of hamsters with normal pancreas extracts prevented growth of transplantable pancreatic carcinomas.     

Experimental gynogenesis provides evidence of hybridogenetic reproduction in the Rana esculenta complex.

The gynogenetic offspring of the hybrid frog Rana esculenta (R. ridibunda X R. lessonae) are exclusively of the ridibunda type. This is due to the premeiotic exclusion of the lessonae genome from the hybrid's germ cells.     

Indirect visualization of hematopoietic colony-forming stem cell (CFUs) as a possible target cell for Mycoplasma arthritidis

Utilizing specific rabbit antiserum against M. arthritidis together with complement, a portion of the marrow 7-day CFUs population of CBA mice infected with live mycoplasma organisms 1 day previously was shown to be inactivated. These cells might therefore be considered as candidate target cells for M. arthritidis. 11-day CFUs were unaffected by similar treatment.     

The dopaminergic innervation as observed by immunohistochemistry using anti-dopamine serum in the rat cerebral cortex

Summary By using an antiserum raised against dopamine bound to bovine serum albumin, thinner dopamine-labeled nerve terminals were visualized immunohistochemically within neocortical areas, in addition to well-documented dopaminergic innervation into the prefrontal and limbic cortices.This study was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas, Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Culture (No. 62623002).     

Genetic control of LDH isozymes in the Rana esculenta complex.

Studies of LDH isozymes in the European green frogs showed that the synthesis of the B subunits is controlled by 3 alleles at a single genetic locus. The genetic evidence supports the hypothesis that Rana esculenta is the hybrid of R. lessonae X R. ridibunda.     

Biochemical variation in the Rana esculenta complex: a new hybrid form related to Rana perezi and Rana ridibunda.

Investigations of the green frogs from western Europe for electrophoretic variations at 4 enzyme loci demonstrated a new form which must be considered as a hybrid between Rana ridibunda and R. perezi. Biochemical evidence supports the hypothesis that its reproduction is hybridogenetic, as it is for R. esculenta.     

Identification of ϱ-antigenic determinants on the surface,of mouse T-lymphocytes

Summary A monospecific antiserum has been prepared in rabbits against purified -antigen, a 100,000 mol.wt glycoprotein found on the surface of mouse L-cells. This antiserum has been employed to demonstrate the presence of -antigenic determinants selectively on the surface of mouse T-, but not B-lymphocytes.We thank Drs A. Christopher and R. Hunt for advice during the course of these studies. This work was supported by grants from the U.S. Public Health Service and the American Cancer Society.     

Antigenic differences between a primary hamster lymphosarcoma and its liver metastases

An antiserum was raised in rabbits against a primary metastasizing lymphosarcoma (ML) of the hamster. This was made tumor-specific by absorption with normal hamster tissue extracts. Immunoglobulin-G was prepared and tested for its cytotoxicity towards cells derived from the primary tumor and its liver metastases. The ML-specific IgG was found to be 2--5 times more cytotoxic for cells derived from the primary tumor compared to cells obtained from liver metastases.