Binding of plutonium and americium to bone glycoproteins.

Abstract

THE observation that plutonium, americium and yttrium are localized in bone at sites which show histological evidence of the presence of mucosubstances1 has prompted the study of the glycoproteins of bone2 and of their metal binding properties3. Four carbohydrate-containing protein fractions have been isolated; bone sialoprotein (BSP), a chondroitin sulphate–protein fraction and two glycoprotein-containing fractions designated Gl and G2 (ref. 2). The chondroitin sulphate–protein fraction has recently been separated into three components4. Collagen is also extracted during the separation procedures2.