Pathogenesis of rat colon carcinomas induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

Colon specimens were obtained from 45 young male and female inbred CDF rats between 11 and 42 weeks after they began to receive intrarectal injections of the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) 43--108 mg, total dose); specimens were also obtained from 26 control rats. Well-developed tumors from rats receiving MNU generally presented grossly as polyps; histologically, as invasive adenocarcinomas that had not metastasized. These tumors resembled their human counterparts. Focal epithelial atypias were found in grossly normal mucosa both from rats that had not yet developed tumors and from tumor-bearing rats. Such foci typically consisted of low columnar cells with enlarged nuclei, increased number of mitoses, cytoplasmic basophilia, and reduced cytoplasmic mucus. Serial section studies of minute foci of atypia indicated that some of them arose from normal deep crypt cells. Transitions were frequently found between atypical foci and in situ or invasive carcinomas. Less commonly, adenomatous epithelium was identified in the early lesions or within the frank adenocarcinomas. It was concluded that most invasive carcinomas in this rat model originate in foci of epithelial atypia, which are found with increasing frequency in the flat mucosa during treatment with MNU, but that some carcinomas also arise from adenomatous epithelium.

Isolation of an acidic protein from the armadillo submandibular gland.

An acidic protein fraction with an apparent molecular weight of 34 000 has been isolated from the Cetavlon-treated, mucin-free supernatant of the armadillo submandibular gland 0.01 M NaCl extract. This purified material, which was obtained in a yield of 0.45%/g wet gland, contains 24 mol % acidic amino acids and 4 mol % basic amino acids. Hexosamines, sialic acid, and neutral sugars represent 7% of the dry sample weight. In polyacrylamide gel and cellulose acetate electrophoresis, a single protein band was observed. The acidic protein fraction is highly reactive with the Lowry phenol reagent, giving a protein value 83% higher than that obtained by summation of its anhydrous amino acids, and is explained by the occurrence of peptide linkages peculiar to this material. The presence of other basophilic components besides mucus glycoproteins within the salivary gland of the armadillo may have physiological significance.

Structural studies on the carbohydrate units of armadillo submandibular glycoprotein.

The structure of carbohydrate units of the major glycoprotein fraction of armadillo submandibular gland was investigated. Alkaline borohydride reductive cleavage of the glycoprotein resulted in the release of O-glycosidically linked mono- and disaccharide units. The monosaccharide was identified as N-acetylgalactosaminitol, whereas disaccharide contained of N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-acetylgalactosaminitol. Treatment of the native and desialyzed glycoprotein with alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase resulted in the removal of 60% and 96% of N-acetylgalactosamine, respectively. No cleavage of this sugar was affected by the action of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase. Both N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid were susceptible to oxidation with periodate. Analyses of the partially methylated N-acetylgalactosamine derivatives, obtained from the permethylated native glycoprotein, showed the presence of 3,4,6-tri-O-methyl-N-methylacetamidogalactose and 3,4-di-O-methyl-N-methylacetamidogalactose in a ratio of 1 : 0.4. Only 3,4,6-tri-O-methyl-N-methylacetamidogalactose was found in the hydrolysates of permethylated desialyzed glycoprotein. These results together with our previous data on chemical composition of the glycoprotein suggest that about 30% of the oligosaccharide chains consist of NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 6GalNAc alpha 1 leads to O-Thr(Ser) and 70% of GalNAc alpha leads to O-Thr(Ser).

Carbohydrate specificity of the receptor sites of mistletoe toxic lectin-I.

The carbohydrate specificity of mistletoe toxic lectin-I (ML-I) was studied by haemagglutination-inhibition assay. The results indicated that ML-I has a broad range of affinity for Gal alpha,beta linked sequences. The galabiose (E, Gal alpha 1----4Gal) sequence, a receptor of the uropathogenic E. coli ligand, was one of the best disaccharide inhibitors tested. The lectin also exhibits affinity for Lac(Gal beta 1----4Glc), T(Gal beta 1----3GalNAc), I/II(Gal beta 1----3/4GlcNAc) and B(Gal alpha 1----3Gal) sequences. Gal alpha 1----4Gal and Gal beta 1----4Glc are frequently occurring sequences of many glycosphingolipids located at the mammalian cell membranes, such as intestinal and red blood cell membranes, for ligand binding and toxin attachment. This finding provides important information concerning the possible mechanism of intoxication of cells by the mistletoe preparation.

Subunit structure and dissociation of Callinectes sapidus hemocyanin.

The hemocyanin of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus has two major components sedimenting with approximate sedimentation coefficients of 17 S and 25 S. Molecular weight data based on light scattering and sedimentation equilibrium measurements at pH 7.8 suggest that the two components have molecular weights of approximately 450 000 and 900 000 in the presence of stabilizing Ca2+. In the absence of Ca2+, the molecular weights are found to be about 5% lower, suggesting some dissociation of the hemocyanin components. Circular dichroism and optical rotatory dispersion measurements in the far-ultraviolet region gave nearly identical spectra for the two components. Based on the reference parameters of Chen et al. (Chen, Y.H., Yang, J.T. and Martinez, H.M. (1972) Biochemistry 11, 4120--4131 and Chen, Y.H., Yang, J.T. and Chan, K.H. (1974) Biochemistry 13, 3340--3359), estimates of 16--20% alpha-helix, 40--60% beta-structure, and 30--40% random organization were obtained for the two hemocyanin components. Exposure to 6 M Gdn HCl gave light scattering molecular weights of approx. 68 000 and 77 000, which is close to one-sixth of the molecular weight of the 17 S component. These results support the view that the two components of C. sapidus hemocyanin share the hexameric and dodecameric organization common to arthropod hemocyanins. The salts of the Hofmeister series and the ureas are found to dissociate the dodecameric component with the former exhibiting the usual order of effectiveness of NaCl, NaBr, NaI, and NaClO4 dissociation, while the ureas show an inverse order of decreasing effectiveness in going from urea to methyl-, ethyl- and propylurea. This suggests that polar and ionic interactions are relatively more important than hydrophobic interactions for the stabilization of the dodecameric form of C. sapidus hemocyanin. The dissociation behavior of the 17 S hexameric species by GdnHCl in the 0--1.5 M concentration region (where essentially no denaturation occurs), based on light scattering molecular-weight measurements, is satisfactorily accounted for by equations describing the dissociation of hexamers to monomers.

Lipid composition of tracheobronchial secretions from normal individuals and patients with cystic fibrosis.

The lipid composition of tracheobronchial secretions from normal individuals and patients with cystic fibrosis was investigated. Lipids were extracted from he dialyzed and lyophilized samples, and fractionated on silicic acid columns into neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids. The lipids contained each fraction were separated into individual components by thin-layer chromatography and quantified. The secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis and were found to contain about 30% more lipids than that of normal individuals and exhibited elevated levels of cholesterol, phospholipids and glycosphingolipids. The level of free fatty acids and glyceroglucolipids was higher in the normal secretions. The phospholipids of cystic fibrosis secretions exhibited higher content of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylserine, while the normal samples contained more lysophosphatidylcholine. The glycosphingolipids of both types of samples consisted mainly of glucosyl- and lactosylceramides. The major glyceroglucolipid of the normal tracheobronchial secretions was tetraglucosyl glyceroglucolipid, whereas hexa-and octaglucosyl glyceroglucolipids were the predominant compounds of the cystic fibrosis secretions.

Lipid composition of the secretion from human bronchial explant culture.

In this study, we identified and quantitated the lipid components in the secretions of human bronchial explants cultured in a serum-free medium over a period of 50 days. Total lipids represented 6% of the dry material. This amount is considerably lower than that reported for 'normal' human sputum and suggests that the latter is contaminated by serum transudates, alveolar secretions, and microorganisms. Such serum-free culture systems are highly suitable to study cell physiology as it relates to human disease.

Defining carbohydrate specificity of Ricinus communis agglutinin as Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc (II) > Gal beta 1-->3GlcNAc (I) > Gal alpha 1-->3Gal (B) > Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc (T).

To define carbohydrate specificity of Ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA1), the combining site of RCA1 was further characterized by quantitative precipitin (QPA) and precipitin-inhibition assays (QPIA). Among the oligosaccharides tested for QPIA, Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc (II, human blood group type II precursor sequence) was found to be 7.1 times more active than Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc (T, Thomsen-Friedenreich sequence) and about 1.7 times more active than the other three disaccharides tested--Gal beta 1-->4Man, Gal beta 1-->3DAra and Gal beta 1-->6GalNAc. Gal alpha 1-->4Gal, the receptor of the uropathogenic E. coli ligand was 3.6 times less active than the II sequence. These results indicate that the beta 1-->4 linkage of the terminal Gal to subterminal GlcNAc is important as this beta 1-->4GlcNAc sequence is at least 1.6 times more active than other types of disaccharides. Among the glycoproteins examined for QPA, native and desialized bovine submandibular glycoproteins, native and desialized human plasma alpha 1-acid glycoproteins, as well as crude hog stomach mucin and its three mild acid hydrolyzed products reacted well with the lectin. These glycoproteins precipitated over 75% of the lectin nitrogen added indicating that RCA1 has the ability to recognize Gal beta 1-->4/3GlcNAc and/or the related residues at the non-reducing ends and at positions in the interior of the chains. However, Tn (GalNAc alpha 1-->Ser/Thr sequence) rich glycoproteins such as desialized ovine submandibular glycoprotein and desialized armadillo salivary glycoprotein, in which over 90% of the carbohydrate side chains are Tn determinants with none or only a trace of I/II or T determinants, precipitated poorly with RCA1. From the present and previous results obtained, the carbohydrate specificity of RCA1 can be constructed and summarized in decreasing order by lectin determinants as follows: II (Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc) > I (Gal beta 1-->3GlcNAc) > E (Gal alpha 1-->4Gal) and B (Gal alpha 1-->3Gal) > T (Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc), while Tn (GalNAc alpha 1-->Ser/Thr) is a poor inhibitor.

Interaction of hamster submaxillary sialyl-Tn and Tn glycoproteins with Gal, GalNAc and GlcNAc specific lectins.

Hamster submaxillary glycoprotein (HSM), one of the simplest glycoproteins among mammalian salivary mucins, is composed of approximately equivalent amounts of protein, hexosamine and sialic acid. The Thr and Ser residues in the protein core account for more than half of all of the amino acid residues, while Lys, Glu, Pro and Ala are the major components of the remaining portion of amino acids. The carbohydrate side chains of this mucous glycoprotein have mainly the NeuAc-GalNAc-(sialyl-Tn) sequence (HSM), and those of the desialylated product (HSM-Tn) are almost exclusively unsubstituted GalNAc residues (Tn determinants). The binding properties of sialyl-Tn (HSM) and asialo-HSM (HSM-Tn) glycoproteins were tested by precipitin assay with Gal, GalNAc and GlcNAc specific lectins. The HSM-Tn completely precipitated Vicia villosa (VVL both B4 and mixture of A and B), Maclura pomifera (MPL), and Artocarpus integrifolia (Jacalin) lectins; less than 2 micrograms of HSM-Tn were required for precipitating 50% of 5.0-6.3 micrograms lectin nitrogen added. HSM-Tn also reacted well with Helix pomatia lectin (HPL), Wistaria floribunda lectin (WFL) and Abrus precatorius agglutinin (APA) and precipitated in each case over 81% of the lectin nitrogen added. The reactivity of HSM-Tn with other lectins (Ricinus communis, RCA1; Dolichol biflorus, DBL; Viscum album, ML-I; Arachis hypogaea, PNA, and Triticum vulgaris, WGA) was weak or negligible. The activity of sialyl-Tn (HSM) was more restricted; HSM reacted well with Jacalin, moderately with MPL and VVL-B4, but was inactive or only weakly with the other lectins used. These findings indicate that HSM and its desialylated product (HSM-Tn) are highly useful reagents for the differentiation of Tn and T/Gal specific lectins and for anti-T, Tn and Af monoclonal antibodies.

Fraction A of armadillo submandibular glycoprotein and its desialylated product as sialyl-Tn and Tn receptors for lectins.

Fraction A of the armadillo submandibular glycoprotein (ASG-A) is one of the simplest glycoproteins among mammalian salivary mucins. The carbohydrate side chains of this mucous glycoprotein have one-third of the NeuAc alpha 2-->6GalNAc (sialyl-Tn) sequence and two thirds of Tn (GalNAc alpha-->Ser/Thr) residues. Those of the desialylated product (ASG-Tn) are almost exclusively unsubstituted GalNAc residues (Tn determinant). When the binding properties of these glycoproteins were tested by a precipitin assay with Gal, GalNAc and GlcNAc specific lectins, it was found that ASG-Tn reacted strongly with all of the Tn-active lectins and completely precipitated Vicia villosa (VVL both B4 and mixture of A and B), Maclura pomifera (MPA), and Artocarpus integrifolia (jacalin) lectins. However, it precipitated poorly or negligibly with Ricinus communis (RCA1); Dolichos biflorus (DBA); Viscum album, ML-I; Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Triticum vulgaris (WGA). The reactivity of ASG-A (sialyl-Tn) was as active as that of ASG-Tn with MPA and less or slightly less active than that of ASG-Tn with VVL-A+B, VVL-B4, HPA, WFA, and jacalin, as one-third of its Tn was sialylated. These findings indicate that ASG-A and its desialylated product (ASG-Tn) are highly useful reagents for the differentiation of Tn, T (Gal beta 1-->3GalNAc), A (GalNAc alpha 1-->3Gal) or Gal specific lectins and monoclonal antibodies against such epitopes.

Forssman pentasaccharide and polyvalent Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc as major ligands with affinity for Caragana arborescens agglutinin.

The binding properties of Caragana arborescens agglutinin (CAA, pea tree agglutinin) were studied by enzyme linked lectinosorbent assay (ELLSA) and by inhibition of CAA-glycan interaction. Among glycoproteins (gps) tested, CAA reacted strongly with asialo bird nest gp, asialo rat sublingual gp, human Tamm-Horsfall Sd(a(+)) urinary gp (THGP) and asialo THGP that are rich in GalNAcalpha1-->, GalNAcbeta1--> and/or Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc residues. CAA also bound tightly with multi-valent Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc (mII) containing glycoproteins (human blood group precursor gps, asialo fetuin) and asialo ovine salivary glycoprotein (Tn, GalNAcalpha1-->Ser/Thr), but CAA reacted poorly or not at all with sialylated glycoproteins tested. Of the sugars tested for inhibition of binding, Forssman pentasaccharide (F(p), GalNAcalpha1-->3GalNAcbeta1-->3Galalpha1-->4Galbeta 1-->4Glc) was the best. It was about 2.3, 9.5 and 52.6 times more active than Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc, GalNAc and Gal, respectively, and about 1.9 times more active than tri-antennary Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc (Tri-II). These results suggest that this agglutinin is mainly specific for F(p), mII and Tn clusters. This property can be used to detect human abnormal glycotopes related to F(p) and unmasked mII/Tn clusters and to study cell growth and differentiation given the lack of toxicity of this lectin toward mouse fibroblast cells.

Studies on the binding of wheat germ agglutinin (Triticum vulgaris) to O-glycans.

The binding profile of Triticum vulgaris (WGA, wheat germ) agglutinin to 23 O-glycans (GalNAc alpha1-->Ser/Thr containing glycoproteins, GPs) was quantitated by the precipitin assay and its specific interactions with O-glycans were confirmed by the precipitin inhibition assay. Of the 28 glycoforms tested, six complex O-glycans (hog gastric mucins, one human blood group A active and two precursor cyst GPs) reacted strongly with WGA and completely precipitated the lectin added. All of the other human blood group A active O-glycans and human blood group precursor GPs also reacted well with the lectin and precipitated over two-thirds of the agglutinin used. They reacted 4-50 times stronger than N-glycans (asialo-fetuin and asialo-human alpha1 acid GP). The binding of WGA to O-glycans was inhibited by either p-NO2-phenyl alpha,betaGlcNAc or GalNAc. From these results, it is highly possible that cluster (multivalent) effects through the high density of weak inhibitory determinants on glycans, such as GalNAc alpha1-->Ser/Thr (Tn), GalNAc at the nonreducing terminal, GlcNAc beta1--> at the non-reducing end and/or as an internal residue, play important roles in precipitation, while the GlcNAc beta1-->4GlcNAc disaccharide may play a minor role in the precipitation of mammalian glycan-WGA complexes.

Demonstration of a protease inhibitor in the cornea.

Sequential extraction of bovine corneal homogenates with aqueous 0.154M NaCl, 0.5M NaCl and 3M guanidine HCl revealed the presence, in the two sodium chloride extracts, of trypsin inhibitory factors. Upon gel-filtration chromatography of the o.5M NaCl soluble corneal material on Sephadex G-75, two peaks with trypsin inhibitory activity were resolved. One peak was eluted in the void volume, whereas a second peak had mobility corresponding to a molecular weight fraction much lower than, and therefore distinct from, alpha 1-antitrypsin inhibitor. The possible implication of this inhibitory factor in the pathogenesis of corneal ulceration is briefly discussed.

Modification of the chemical composition and structure of the U.S. Reference Standard Endotoxin (RSE) by 60Co radiation.

A highly purified bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preparation was exposed in water to megadoses of ionizing radiation from a 60Co source. As evidenced by electrophoresis, the radiation treatment progressively degraded the lipopolysaccharide molecules by removing first the O-side chain units and then components of the R-core. Chemical analysis of the irradiated (LPS) preparations showed that, in accord with the structural changes, the most profound effects of ionizing radiation occurred in the hydrophilic oligo/polysaccharide moieties (R-core and O-side chain). Progressively higher doses of radiation degraded the simple sugars in decreasing order of galactose, galactosamine, glucosamine, glucose, and heptose. The R-core component 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate was the most "resistant" sugar derivative to ionizing radiation. Due to its central position in the LPS aggregates in water, even at comparatively high doses of radiation the hydrophobic lipid A moiety of endotoxin was less affected than the sugar components. Of the fatty acids of lipid A, however, either partial conversion of beta-hydroxymyristic acid into myristic acid or selective loss of the former occurred. The observed structural and chemical changes of LPS are consistent with the effect of active oxygen radicals of radiolysis. In addition, the extensive physicochemical changes explain the altered biological reactivity of radiation-treated endotoxins.

Carbohydrate specificity of an agglutinin isolated from the root of Trichosanthes kirilowii.

The root of Trichosanthes kirilowii, which has been used as Chinese folk medicine for more than two thousand years, contains a Gal specific lectin (TKA). In order to elucidate its binding roles, the carbohydrate specificities of TKA were studied by enzyme linked lectinosorbent assay (ELLSA) and by inhibition of lectin-glycoform binding. Among glycoproteins (gp) tested, TKA reacted strongly with complex carbohydrates with Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc clusters as internal or core structures (human blood group ABH active glycoproteins from human ovarian cyst fluids, hog gastric mucin, and fetuin), porcine salivary glycoprotein and its asialo product, but it was inactive with heparin and mannan (negative control). Of the sugar inhibitors tested for inhibition of binding, Neu5Ac alpha2-->3/6Galbeta1-->4Glc was the best and about 4, 14.6 and 27.7 times more active than Galbeta1-->4GlcNAc(II), Galbeta1-->3GalNAc(T) and Gal, respectively. From these results, it is suggested that this agglutinin is specific for terminal or internal polyvalent Galbeta1-->4GlcNAcbeta1-->, terminal Neu5Ac alpha2-->3/6Galbeta1-->4Glc and cluster forms of Galbeta1-->3GalNAc alpha residues. The unusual affinity of TKA for terminal and internal Galbeta1-->glycotopes may be used to explain the possible attachment roles of this agglutinin in this folk medicine to target cells.

Carbohydrate specificity of a toxic lectin, abrin A, from the seeds of Abrus precatorius (jequirity bean).

To elucidate of the mechanism of intoxication, the affinity of a toxic lectin, abrin A, from the seeds of Abrus precatorius for mammalian carbohydrate ligands, was studied by enzyme linked lectinosorbent assay and by inhibition of abrin A-glycan interaction. From the results, it is concluded that: (1) abrin A reacted well with Gal beta1-->4GlcNAc (II), Gal alpha1-->4Gal (E), and Gal beta1-->3GalNAc (T) containing glycoproteins. But it reacted weakly with sialylated gps and human blood group A,B,H active glycoproteins (gps); (2) the combining site of abrin A lectin should be of a shallow groove type as this lectin is able to recognize from monosaccharides with specific configuration at C-3, C-4, and deoxy C-6 of the (D)Fuc pyranose ring to penta-saccharides and probably internal Gal alpha,beta-->; and (3) its binding affinity toward mammalian structural features can be ranked in decreasing order as follows: cluster forms of II, T, B/E (Gal alpha1-->3/4Gal) > monomeric T > monomeric II > monomeric B/E, Gal > GalNAc > monomeric I >> Man and Glc (inactive). These active glycotopes can be used to explain the possible structural requirements for abrin A toxin attachment.

Interaction of native and asialo rat sublingual glycoproteins with lectins.

The binding properties of the rat sublingual glycoprotein (RSL) and its asialo product with lectins were characterized by quantitative precipitin(QPA) and precipitin inhibition(QPIA) assays. Among twenty lectins tested for QPA, native RSL reacted well only with Artocarpus integrifolia (jacalin), but weakly or not at all with the other lectins. However, its asialo product (asialo-RSL) reacted strongly with many Gal and GalNAc specific lectins-it bound best to three of the GalNAc alpha 1-->Ser/Thr (Tn) and/or Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc (II) active lectins [jacalin, Wistaria floribunda and Ricinus communis agglutinins] and completely precipitated each of these three lectins. Asialo-RSL also reacted well with Abrus precatorius, Glycine max, Bauhinia purpurea alba, and Maclura pomifera agglutinins, and abrin-a, but not with Arachis hypogeae and Dolichos biflorus agglutinins. The interaction between asialo-RSL and lectins were inhibited by either Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc, p-NO2-phenyl alpha-GalNAc or both. The mapping of the precipitation and inhibition profiles leads to the conclusion that the asialo rat sublingual glycoprotein provides important ligands for II (Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->) and Tn (GalNAc alpha 1-->Ser/Thr) active lectins.

Carbohydrate specificity of a lectin isolated from the fungus Sclerotium rolfsii.

In order to investigate the functional roles of a phytopathogenic fungal lectin (SRL) isolated from the bodies of Sclerotium rolfsii, the binding properties of SRL were studied by enzyme linked lectinosorbent assay and by inhibition of SRL-glycan interaction. Among glycoproteins (gp) tested for binding, SRL reacted strongly with GalNAc alpha1-->4Ser/Thr (Tn) and/or Gal beta1-->3GalNAc alpha1-->(T(alpha)) containing gps: human T(alpha) and Tn glycophorin, asialo salivary gps, and asialofetuin, but its reactivity toward sialylated glycoproteins was reduced significantly. Of the sugar ligands tested for inhibition of SRL-asialofetuin binding, Thomsen-Friedenreich residue (T(alpha)) was the best, being 22.4 and 2.24 x 10(3) more active than GalNAc and Gal beta1--> residues, respectively. Other ligands tested were inactive. When the glycans used as inhibitors, T(alpha), and/or Tn containing gps, especially asialo PSM, asialo BSM, asialo OSM, active antifreeze gp, asialo glycophorin and Tn-glycophorin were very active, and 1.0 x 10(4) times more potent than GalNAc. From these results, it is clear that the combining site of SRL should be of a cavity type and recognizes only Tn and T(alpha) residues of glycans; it is suggested that T(alpha) and Tn glycotopes, which are present only in abnormal carbohydrate sequences of higher orders of mammal, are the most likely sites for phytopathogenic fungal attachment as an initial step of infection. The affinity of SRL for ligands can be ranked in decreasing order as follows: multivalent T(alpha) and Tn >> monomeric T(alpha) and Tn > GalNAc >>> II (Gal beta1-->4GlcNAc), L (Gal beta1-->4Glc), and Gal.

Isolation of bronchial mucins from cystic fibrosis sputum by use of citraconic anhydride.

Citraconylation was used to solubilize cystic fibrosis sputum and to dissociate its mucus glycoproteins from extraneous proteins. The mucin fraction was isolated by precipitation with Cetavlon, and characterized in terms of amino acid and carbohydrate composition. The data suggest that, in determining the physical properties of glycoproteins of cystic fibrosis mucus, aggregation by noncovalent forces may be as important as (or more important than) disulfide bonds.

Biochemical analysis of thyroid cyst fluid obtained by fine-needle aspiration.

Despite the relatively ready availability of thyroid cyst fluid specimens, little has been published on their biochemical composition. We measured the concentrations of 18 analytes in thyroid cyst fluid specimens from benign (n = 17) and malignant (n = 3) lesions and in homogenates of normal thyroid tissue (n = 5). The concentrations of an additional five analytes were measured in selected cyst fluid specimens only. Compared with normal human serum specimens, we found that in thyroid cyst fluid specimens the activities of acid phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, and lactate dehydrogenase, and the concentrations of iron and total bilirubin were highly increased. The concentration of glucose was low. The gross appearance of the fluids and the presence of certain analytes were consistent with a hemorrhagic origin of most of the benign and malignant cyst fluid specimens. Other biochemical markers, however, indicated colloidlike features and/or an admixture of thyroid tissue components to the cyst fluid. Although we have limited data for cyst fluid specimens from malignant thyroid lesions, we found no evidence that the results of any of the common biochemical tests would distinguish benign from malignant lesions.