IgG purification to measure the level of an iodinated thyroglobulin peptide, the 3,5,3',5' tetraiodo-l-tyrosyl-l-tyrosine in human serum

Antibodies reacting with 3,5,3',5' tetraiodo-l-tyrosyl-l-tyrosine (I2Tyr-I2Tyr) were elicited in rabbits by immunization with an oxidized yeast conjugate coupled with I2Tyr-I2Tyr. Ion-exchange chromatography was used to purify immunoglobulins, in order to improve the specificity in measurement of I2Tyr-I2Tyr level in patient serum. IgG binding capacity versus I2Tyr-I2Tyr was considerably increased after immunoglobulin purification.     

Injection of a soluble sperm fraction into sea-urchin eggs triggers the cortical reaction

Fertilization membranes form around unfertilized sea-urchin eggs after microinjection of a soluble spermatozoa fraction isosmotic with seawater. This demonstrates that the spermatozoon contains a chemical that triggers an increase in cytosolic calcium, leading to exocytosis of cortical granules. It also demonstrates that the triggering mechanism does not require an externally-activated egg-membrane process. Further experiments show that the chemical trigger is not calcium.     

Communicating junctions between pillar cells in the gills of the atlantic hagfish,Myxine glutinosa

Summary In the respiratory lamellae of the gills of the atlantic hagfish,Myxine glutinosa, pillar cells are coupled by communicating junctions. It is suggested that these cells behave like a functional syncytium.Supported by the DFG, SFB 146. The authors are indebted to Drs F. Walvig and H. Stolte for kindly providing the hagfish. The expert technical assistance of G. Voss-Wermbter, Dipl.-Ing., and H. Heidrich is gratefully acknowledged.     

The response of cyclic 3',5'-AMP and cyclic 3',5'-GMP phosphodiesterases to experimental diabetes

Alloxan diabetes caused a decrease in cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in all affected rat tissues. Cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity was, however, decreased in adipose and liver, but increased increased in heart and uterus.     

Drug action on adenylate kinase activity in cerebrospinal fluid of arteriosclerotic patients

A manifest presence of adenylate kinase activity in cerebrospinal fluid was found in patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis. This activity was significantly higher during treatment with co-dergocrine (Hydergin) compared with the two periods before and after treatment.