Sectioning of polyacrylamide slab gels with a modified small animal stereotaxic instrument.

A simple and inexpensive modification of the Kopf model 900 small animal stereotaxic instrument allows it to be used temporarily as a precision polyacrylamide slab gel slicer.     

Improved sensitivity for detection and quantitation of glycoproteins on polyacrylamide gels

Summary A simple and sensitive technique for staining glycoproteins on polyacrylamide gels utilizing periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reagent is described. The novelty of this technique is an additional incubation of the PAS stained gels in an ethanolic solution of metabisulfite. The treatment results in an about 20-fold increase in the intensitiy of bands and the color is stable for at least 1 week at room temperature. Furthermore, the integrated optical density of the bands is proportional to the amount of glycoproteins. Amounts as small as 0.2 g of fetuin can be conveniently determined. As compared to other PAS staining methods, this procedure offers a remarkably improved sensitivity for detection and quantitation of glycoproteins following their electrophoretic separation on polyacrylamide gels.Author for correspondence and reprint requests: G.K., Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical School, P.O. Box 20708, Houston, Texas 77025, USA.     

A rapid assay for the localization of protein kinase modulator (inhibitor) in complete polyacrylamide gels

Summary A gel assay system for determination of inhibitory proteins for protein kinase(s) on isoelectric focusing gels has been developed. Preparations of heat-stable inhibitors were applied, focused, and the complete gels incubated with protein kinase in the presence of substrate protein. At the position where inhibitory protein had focused, the phosphorylation reaction was blocked selectively.This investigation was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Control of diabetes with polyacrylamide implants containing insulin

Zusammenfassung Es wurden durch insulinhaltige s.c. injizierte Polyacrylamid-Implantate Glucosurie geheilt sowie Wachstums- und Überlebensrate Alloxan-diabetischer Ratten gefördert.     

A simple apparatus for the rapid extraction and weighing of small animal brains

Summary The construction and use of an inexpensive apparatus for the rapid extraction and weighing of small animal brains is described.     

A new method for obtaining blood from a small mammal without injuring the animal: use of Triatomid bugs

Summary By means of hungry Triatomid bugs, samples of blood (40–200l) can be obtained from small mammals, such as bats, without causing any harm to the animals. The blood can be extracted from the gaster of the bug immediately after the bug has finished sucking. The method was successfully used for measuring the energy budget by the doubly labeled water method, and for obtaining material for lymphocyte cultures, and may prove useful in other fields, too.M. Volleth is very much obliged to Prof. Dr R. A. Pfeiffer for giving her the opportunity to work at the Institute of Human Genetics.     

Apurinic acid,a modified DNA with anticancer activity

Zusammenfassung Apurinsäure, ein purinfreies hochmolekulares Desoxyribonukleinsäure-Derivat, hemmt das Wachstum des menschlichen Kolontumors GW-77 und das amelanotsiche Melanom des Hamsters.     

The animal musks and a comment of their biogenesis

Summary The macrocyclic compounds occurring in animal glandular secretions are reviewed. Early hypotheses for their biogenesis from fatty acids via and -oxidations are found to be inadequate. Radio-active acetate was incorporated into macrocyclic ketones of muskrat (Ondatra sp.) preputial glandular secretion, but radiolabelled stearate, oleate, anda, -octadecandioic acid were not incorporated.Acknowledgment. We wish to thank Dr.W.J. Doude van Troostwijk, Research Institute for Nature Management, Arnhem, for his assistance in obtaining muskrats, and Mr J. Vellekoop, Leiden, for the Shakespeare quotations.     

The staining of starch gels with Coomassie Brilliant Blue G 250 perchloric acid solution

Summary Coomassie Brilliant Blue G250 dissolved in dilute perchloric acid solution was used to stain protein bands in starch gels. The bands were visible within min, no destaining was required and the gels could be stored indefinitely.