Modification of diamine oxidase activity in vitro by metabolites of asparagine and differences in asparagine decarboxylation in normal and virus-transformed baby hamster kidney cells

The oxidation of putrescine in vitro by pig kidney diamine oxidase (EC 1.4.3.6) was increased in the presence of 2-oxosuccinamic acid and malonamic acid. It was inhibited by 3-aminopropionamide, oxaloacetate and pyruvate. 2-Oxosuccinamate was derived from asparagine in virus-transformed baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells growing in tissue culture. Asparagine was decarboxylated more efficiently by transformed than by normal BHK cells. In BHK cells transformed by polyoma virus (Py BHK), 2-oxosuccinamate is the most likely immediate precursor of the 14 CO2 arising from [U-14C] asparagine, and there was some evidence for its formation in an asparagine-dependent clone of BHK cells before and after their transformation by hamster sarcoma virus (respectivey Asn- and HSV Asn-). The relationship between 2-oxosuccinamate and pyruvate and the possible roles of these two substances in controlling cellular diamine oxidase activity are discussed (AU)

The effect of lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein on complement activity

The effect of Lactoferrin (LF) on complement activity has been studied using the sheep red blood cell - haemolysin system. Although Lactoferrin itself is devoid of complement activity, it does affect complement action. In the absence of 2 C50 units of complement, lysis occurs, the amount observed depending on the ratio of complement to Lactoferrin used. C1 was shown to be the target for Lactoferrin action, since the inhibition of lysis produced by 500 ug of Lactoferrin, could be completely reversed by crude C1.C3, a contaminant of this crude preparation, had no such effect. Investigations to establish the specific effect of Lactoferrin on C1 indicate that Lactoferrin is a potent activator of C1, since a six-fold increase in C1 activity results when they are mixed together. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis, that Lactoferrin exerts an influence on the complement system, as a result of its capacity to activate C1. (AU)

Serum Beta-aminopropionaldehyde: identification and origin

Beta-aminopropionaldehyde is one of the serum aldehydes whose level increases on treating serum with As2O3 and methanol. In animal tissues, beta-aminopropionaldehyde can arise directly from the oxidation of spermidine or diaminopropane. A pathway linking spermidine, b-aminopropionaldehyde and malondialdehyde to the control of RNA and DNA synthesis is proposed (AU)

Quantitative estimation of free and bound serum aldehyde

On heating human serum with As2O3 in the presence of methanol, the level of aldehyde is increased. The increase, expressed as a percentage of the total aldehyde content, is referred to as the bound aldehyde. In the sera of patients with early malignancy, the value of bound aldehyde is found to be significantly lower than that of normal sera, but as metastases occur, it rises above the normal value. In the sera of patients with malignancy, but who responded to treatment, the value for bound aldehyde is similar to that found in the sera of patients with non-malignant disease (AU)

The effect of antibodies anti-polyamine on the growth of sarcoma T.R.V.L. 53886 in mice

The growth of Sarcoma T.R.V.L. 53886 in mice inoculated with Acetylated-Lysozyme-Spermine is less rapid than that in mice inoculated with Acetylated-Lysozyme. The reduction in cell number is proportioned to the amount of Acetylated-Lysozyme-Spermine injected (AU)

Polyamines in human serum

Antibodies to Spermine have been prepared in the mouse, rabbit and goat using Sperminated Lysozyme or BSA Spermine as antigens. The reaction between the antiserum and the antigen is inhibited by the tetramine spermine, and the triamine spermidine but not by the diamines putrescine and cadaverine. This antiserum precipates with certain human sera and this has been used as the basis of a qualitative immunoelectrophoretic test for spermine in human sera. It has been found that the sera from patients with cancer and infection give a positive reaction, whilst those from patients with other pathological conditions, examined to date, are negative. The antigen responsible for the precipitation migrates in the region of O2 lipo-proteins with the spermine moiety bond to lipid as a lip-spermine complex. The results are discussed in the light of other lipo-spermine complexes found in human malignant tissue and in bacteria (AU)

Polyamine serum levels as an index of normal and malignant growth

Antibodies to spermine have been prepared in the mouse, rabbit and goat using sperminated lysozymes or BSA spermine as antigens. The reaction between the antiserum and the antigen is inhibited by the tetramine spermine, and the traiamine spermidine but not by the diamines putrescine and cadaverine. This antiserum precipitates with certain human sera and this has been used as the basis of a qualitative immunoelectrophorectic test for spermine in human sera. It has been found that the sera from patients with cancer and chronic infection give a positive reaction, whilst those from patients with other pathological conditions, examined to date, are negative. The antigen responsible for the precipitation migrates in the region of the 2 lipo-proteins with the spermine moiety bound to lipid as a lipo-spermine complex. The results are discussed in the light of other lipo-spermine complexes found in human malignant tissue and in bacteria (AU)