Self-assembled multi-ring formations of glutamine and a possible link to erythema gyratum repens

Derek Michael Forrester

doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2015.03.012

Abstract

In the body l-glutamine is abundant and required for the proliferation of cells. Indeed human physiology is dependent upon having and maintaining the correct glutamine levels for a range of functions including neurological signalling and a healthy immune system. However, during tumourigenesis cell proliferation demands elevated levels of glutamine, which can ultimately lead to muscle atrophy. In some cases the skin provides the first indications of the underlying disease and erupts in a wave of complicated pattern formations. One such skin marker is erythema gyratum repens. We investigated the pattern formations associated with concentrations of glutamine in aqueous solutions at levels higher than that of a normal biological functionality. We find remarkable similarities between the patterns of erythema gyratum repens and the unusual self-assembled patterns of glutamine. The findings may lead to new therapeutics and understanding for those working in oncology and toxicology. Utilising the formations associated with glutamine could also assist in bio-functionalising micro and nanoparticles for high efficacy.

Highlights

There are many cases of diseases or symptoms arising as a precursor or marker of a more serious ailment [1]
We hypothesise a link between L-glutamine and erythema gyratum repens (EGR), for those with access to facilities to carry out mass spectrometric analyses of biopsied specimens from each ring and normal skin between rings from EGR
There are a few viewpoints to the origin of EGR, including cross-react antibody theory [4]

Summary

Introduction

There are many cases of diseases or symptoms arising as a precursor or marker of a more serious ailment [1]. The patterns on the skin can be remarkable including concentric rings and fractal-like geometries. They emerge as a result of a change in body chemistry due to excretions by the tumour cells or an immune response. We hypothesise a link between L-glutamine and EGR, for those with access to facilities to carry out mass spectrometric analyses of biopsied specimens from each ring and normal skin between rings from EGR. This should be done for quantitative determination of L-glutamine. It should be noted throughout that the size of the effect is scalable with the volume of liquid across a surface but is explored under the microscope for sample sizes up to several centimetres

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