Plasma Counterpart Research Articles

Nucleotide and amino acid mutations in human immunodeficiency virus corresponding to CD4+ decline

In a meta-analysis, gene sequences of the HIV-1 V3 and surrounding envelope region from studies examining longitudinally derived blood and plasma human immunodeficiency virus forms were analyzed for changes over disease course. CD4+ counts were used as a marker of disease progression; 58 subjects, followed an average of 56 months, were included. Genetic diversification was found early in disease progression. In mid-progression (CD4+ counts dropping from 488 to 329/mm3) diversification did not increase while loop charge dramatically increased. This is consistent with a charged form that dominates and induces disease progression at this critical time. Although the overall mean increase in loop charge was significant, this increase and the transition to amino acids known to change tropism occurred in only half of the subjects who progressed. Those with rapidly progressing disease (within 2 years post-infection) began with a loop charge similar to the end stage of normal progressors. DNA from blood-cell-derived sequences differed from concurrently obtained plasma counterparts by one nucleotide out of 238, but this difference was not reflected in differences in glycosylation patterns, loop charge, or tropism-conferring amino acids. Plasma-derived forms were poorer predictors of future viral forms than were cell-derived sequences.

Intracellular Trafficking of Factor V Subsequent to Its Endocytosis by Megakaryocytes.

Recent studies by our laboratory have identified physical and functional differences between plasma- and platelet-derived factor V. Additional studies indicate that the platelet-derived molecule originates from megakaryocyte endocytosis of the plasma-derived cofactor via a receptor-mediated, clathrin-dependent mechanism, and is subsequently packaged and stored in platelet α-granules. We hypothesize that plasma-derived factor V is modified intracellularly following its endocytosis by megakarycytes to generate the unique platelet-derived cofactor molecule. Thus, the time-dependent, intracellular trafficking of fluorescently-labeled factor V by the megakaryocyte-like cell line, CMK, was determined by confocal microscopy using various organelle-specific, fluorescent markers. Previously, we had demonstrated that subsequent to its endocytosis factor V partially co-localizes with two other proteins known to be endocytosed by megakaryocytes, fibrinogen, an α -granule protein, and transferrin, an iron transport protein. In the current study, we demonstrated that subsequent to their endocytosis, factor V and transferrin partially co-localized to early endosomes as determined using an antibody directed against Rab5. Complete co-localization of anti-Rab5 with an antibody against early endosomal antigen-1 (EEA-1) confirmed the specificity of the anti-Rab5 antibody for early endosomes. Endocytosed factor V was also shown to partially co-localize with von Willebrand factor, an α -granule protein that is synthesized by megakaryocytes. Its synthesis by megakaryocytes was confirmed by partial co-localization of this antibody with anti-Golgi antibodies against GM130, a structural element of the Golgi apparatus, and p230 trans, a protein involved in vesicular transport from the trans-Golgi network. Factor V also partially co-localized with these Golgi markers, consistent with the hypothesis that factor V is modified intracellularly subsequent to its endocytosis. Co-localization studies were also performed using LysoSensor Blue, which partitions into acidic organelles with a pH ~5.1 exhibiting an increase in fluorescence intensity upon acidification. Neither factor V nor transferrin co-localized with LysoSensor Blue confirming that they are not trafficked to lysosomes subsequent to their endocytosis. In conclusion, these combined observations suggest that subsequent to its endocytosis by megakaryocytes factor V is trafficked through early endosomes and ultimately stored in the α -granule with vWF and fibrinogen. Further, these data suggest that prior to its packaging into α -granules factor V may undergo retrograde transport through and O-linked glycosylation in the trans-Golgi network, which is consistent with our previous observations that purified, platelet-derived factor V contains an N-acetyl glucosamine or galactosamine at Thr402 that is not observed in its plasma counterpart.

Type I antifreeze proteins expressed in snailfish skin are identical to their plasma counterparts

Type I antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are usually small, Ala-rich alpha-helical polypeptides found in right-eyed flounders and certain species of sculpin. These proteins are divided into two distinct subclasses, liver type and skin type, which are encoded by separate gene families. Blood plasma from Atlantic (Liparis atlanticus) and dusky (Liparis gibbus) snailfish contain type I AFPs that are significantly larger than all previously described type I AFPs. In this study, full-length cDNA clones that encode snailfish type I AFPs expressed in skin tissues were generated using a combination of library screening and PCR-based methods. The skin clones, which lack both signal and pro-sequences, produce proteins that are identical to circulating plasma AFPs. Although all fish examined consistently express antifreeze mRNA in skin tissue, there is extreme individual variation in liver expression - an unusual phenomenon that has never been reported previously. Furthermore, genomic Southern blot analysis revealed that snailfish AFPs are products of multigene families that consist of up to 10 gene copies per genome. The 113-residue snailfish AFPs do not contain any obvious amino acid repeats or continuous hydrophobic face which typify the structure of most other type I AFPs. These structural differences might have implications for their ice-crystal binding properties. These results are the first to demonstrate a dual liver/skin role of identical type I AFP expression which may represent an evolutionary intermediate prior to divergence into distinct gene families.

Circular polarization in pulsar radio emission due to intrinsically relativistic effects

Observations of single pulses imply that the circular polarization (CP) at a fixed pulsar phase, in some pulsars, can be large and variable from pulse to pulse. In many cases the variations can include changes in the handedness at a fixed phase. Possible explanations for the variable CP are sought in terms of elliptical polarization of the natural wave modes. The pulsar plasma is assumed to be a highly relativistically streaming, one-dimensional, strongly magnetized, electron–positron gas with a net charge density and intrinsically relativistic random motions in its rest frame. It is shown that in such a plasma the polarization of the natural modes includes two regimes where intrinsically relativistic effects determine the CP. One regime arises from aberration causing a small cone of CP about the backward (anti-streaming) direction in the rest frame to expand into the forward hemisphere in the pulsar frame. This mechanism can lead to significant CP at relatively high frequencies. The other mechanism arises from the intrinsically relativistic random motions, which allow a new regime of CP that has no counterpart in a cold plasma; however, for typical parameters this mechanism is effective only at frequencies higher than is consistent with our neglect of the cyclotron resonance. It is suggested that the explanation for the observed CP requires that the CP arise as a propagation effect, and be determined by the properties of the wave modes at a polarization limiting region.

Tyrosine nitration in plasma proteins from patients undergoing hemodialysis

Background: A growing body of evidence suggesting that oxidative stress might be one of the most important complications occurring during hemodialysis (HD) has accumulated. However, although the role of reactive oxygen species has been investigated extensively, little is known about the involvement of reactive nitrogen species. In the present investigation, levels of protein modifications in the form of tyrosine nitration in patients undergoing long-term HD therapy were evaluated. Methods: Tyrosine nitration of plasma proteins was detected by means of Western blotting using a specific nitrotyrosine-recognizing monoclonal antibody, and band intensity was evaluated by using image analysis software. Immunoprecipitation of plasma proteins by antinitrotyrosine-agarose—conjugated antibodies, followed by Western blotting, was used in an attempt to identify the nitrated proteins. Results: Although several proteins with nitrated tyrosine residues were observed in plasma of healthy individuals, increased nitration levels were observed in some specific proteins in all patients tested (n = 25) compared with controls (n = 6). At least 6 apparent bands appeared to be more nitrated than their counterparts in plasma from controls. Ceruloplasmin was identified as 1 of the proteins with significantly increased nitration in patients. Conclusion: Results of the present investigation show that specific plasma proteins of HD patients are post-translationally modified by nitration of their tyrosine residues. The nature of these proteins, as well as the exact molecular mechanisms and consequences of these modifications, warrant additional investigation.

In situ AFM studies of astrocyte-secreted apolipoprotein E- and J-containing lipoproteins.

The three-dimensional shapes and sizes of plasma lipoproteins and astrocyte-secreted lipoproteins (ASLPs) were characterized with the aid of in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), which has the unique ability to study three-dimensional nanostructures under physiological conditions. Apolipoprotein E (apoE) and apolipoprotein J (apoJ) are the two most abundant apolipoproteins produced in the central nervous system (CNS). This study revealed that ASLPs containing apoE3, apoE4, or apoJ significantly differ from high density lipoprotein particles, thought to be their closest analogs in plasma, in aggregation properties, size, and shape. ASLPs were found to be significantly flatter and smaller than their plasma counterparts. Plasma lipoproteins were able to form ordered arrays on a mica surface at high concentration, but ASLPs did not. Rather, they formed amorphous aggregates at similar concentrations. Comprehensive quantitative characterization of particle size and shape was facilitated by two advances in AFM image analysis: (1) automated analysis through image-recognition algorithms, and (2) correction for the finite size of the AFM probe based on geometric modeling. This study and the developed AFM methodologies open the way to further in situ AFM studies of the lipoproteins in general and more specifically of CNS lipoproteins.

Unique in Vivo Modifications of Coagulation Factor V Produce a Physically and Functionally Distinct Platelet-derived Cofactor: CHARACTERIZATION OF PURIFIED PLATELET-DERIVED FACTOR V/Va

Platelet- and plasma-derived factor Va (FVa) serve essential cofactor roles in prothrombinase-catalyzed thrombin generation. Platelet-derived FV/Va, purified from Triton X-100 platelet lysates was composed of a mixture of polypeptides ranging from approximately 40 to 330 kDa, mimicking those visualized by Western blotting of platelet lysates and releasates with anti-FV antibodies. The purified, platelet-derived protein expressed significant cofactor activity such that thrombin activation led to only a 2-3-fold increase in cofactor activity yet expression of a specific activity identical to that of purified, plasma-derived FVa. Physical and functional differences between the two cofactors were identified. Purified, platelet-derived FVa was 2-3-fold more resistant to activated protein C-catalyzed inactivation than purified plasma-derived FVa on the thrombin-activated platelet surface. The heavy chain subunit of purified, platelet-derived FVa contained only a fraction ( approximately 10-15%) of the intrinsic phosphoserine present in the plasma-derived FVa heavy chain and was resistant to phosphorylation at Ser(692) catalyzed by either casein kinase II or thrombin-activated platelets. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analyses of tryptic digests of platelet-derived FV peptides detected an intact heavy chain uniquely modified on Thr(402) with an N-acetylglucosamine or N-acetylgalactosamine, whereas Ser(692) remained unmodified. N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF analyses of platelet-derived FV/Va peptides identified the presence of a full-length heavy chain subunit, as well as a light chain subunit formed by cleavage at Tyr(1543) rather than Arg(1545) accounting for the intrinsic levels of cofactor activity exhibited by native platelet-derived FVa. These collective data are the first to demonstrate physical differences between the two FV cofactor pools and support the hypothesis that, subsequent to its endocytosis by megakaryocytes, FV is modified to yield a platelet-derived cofactor distinct from its plasma counterpart.

Plasma Versus Serum: Specific Differences in Biochemical Analyte Values

After blood is removed from an animal, the biochemical parameters begin to change immediately. To ensure that results of laboratory tests accurately reflect the true physiologic or pathologic state of an individual, care must be taken to minimize such artifactual changes. It is commonly thought that delayed centrifugation of avian blood may affect analyte values; however, there have been few studies documenting changes. Likewise, the occurrence of changes in blood analyte values during preparation of a standard serum sample has not been investigated formally. This study was conducted to document the differences between analyte values in plasma and serum processed using common standardized protocols. Paired plasma and serum samples were collected from chickens. Plasma samples were kept on ice and centrifuged immediately, and serum samples were allowed to clot at room temperature for 90 minutes and then were centrifuged. The paired plasma and serum samples were simultaneously analyzed for standard biochemical analytes. Significant differences between plasma and serum values were noted for 10 out of the 17 analytes determined. Briefly, serum values for albumin, albumin-globulin ratio, and potassium were much lower than corresponding values for plasma, and the serum chloride concentration was slightly lower than the plasma chloride value. The serum globulin mean concentration was almost 3 times the value for plasma, and serum values for creatine phosphokinase, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus were higher than their plasma counterparts.

Composition and ultrastructure of size subclasses of normal human peripheral lymph lipoproteins: quantification of cholesterol uptake by HDL in tissue fluids

Peripheral lymph lipoproteins have been characterized in animals, but there is little information about their composition, and none about their ultrastructure, in normal humans. Therefore, we collected afferent leg lymph from 16 healthy males and quantified lipids and apolipoproteins in fractions separated by high performance-size exclusion chromatography. Apolipoprotein B (apoB) was found almost exclusively in low density lipoproteins. The distribution of apoA-I, particularly in lipoprotein A-I (LpA-I) without A-II particles, was shifted toward larger particles relative to plasma. The fractions containing these particles were also enriched in apoA-II, apoE, total cholesterol, and phospholipids and had greater unesterified cholesterol-to-cholesteryl ester ratios than their counterparts in plasma. Fractions containing smaller apoA-I particles were enriched in phospholipid. Most apoA-IV was lipid poor or lipid free. Most apoC-III coeluted with large apoA-I-containing particles. Electron microscopy showed that lymph contained discoidal particles not seen in plasma. These findings support other evidence that high density lipoproteins (HDL) undergo extensive remodeling in human tissue fluid. Total cholesterol concentration in lymph HDL was 30% greater (P < 0.05) than could be explained by the transendothelial transfer of HDL from plasma, providing direct confirmation that HDL acquire cholesterol in the extravascular compartment. Net transport rates of new HDL cholesterol in the cannulated vessels corresponded to a mean whole body reverse cholesterol transport rate via lymph of 0.89 mmol (344 mg)/day.

Cerebrospinal fluid lipoproteins in Alzheimer's disease.

Interest in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lipoproteins has been stimulated by the association of certain alleles of the human apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and because apolipoprotein E (apoE) is one of the major apolipoproteins in CSF. CSF lipoproteins (d < 1.210 g/ml fraction) are distinct from their plasma counterparts, and in AD patients CSF may contain novel particles. The protein concentration of CSF lipoproteins is reduced in AD patients. Moreover, the molecular distribution of apoE- and apoAII-containing apolipoproteins in CSF is dictated by APOE. The lipid composition suggests that CSF lipoproteins from AD patients may have undergone increased free radical-mediated damage; experimental data support the possibility that this may occur both before and after lipoprotein assembly. Finally, human CSF lipoproteins oxidized ex vivo are neurotoxic to neuronal cells in culture and disrupt microtubule structure, an activity not observed with oxidized bovine CSF lipoproteins. CSF lipoproteins may represent a means whereby apoE influences the outcome of free radical-mediated damage to brain.

Expression of human plasminogen in Drosophila Schneider S2 cells.

The cDNA that encodes full-length human plasminogen (Glu1-hPg) has been expressed in Drosophila Schneider S2 cells under the influence of the Drosophila BiP protein signal sequence, which allowed the protein to be secreted into the medium. A procedure was devised for clonal selection of high-expressing cells, which were then used for large-scale expression of 10-15 mg/liter of the protein in the culture medium. The protein produced using this system was extensively characterized and contained full-length recombinant (r) Glu1-hPg plasminogen. As with human plasma Glu1-hPg, the S2-expressed protein underwent the Cl--induced transition to the tight conformation, which resulted in a weakly activatable zymogen. The addition of the ligand, epsilon-amino caproic acid, induced the relaxed conformation of r-Glu1-hPg, which was highly activatable, again in agreement with similar data for human plasma Glu1-hPg. The thermal stability of the S2-expressed r-Glu1-hPg also correlated well with that of human plasma hPg. These studies show that intact r-Glu1-hPg can be produced in high yield in Drosophila Schneider S2 cells, which possesses similar properties to its human plasma counterpart.

Mammalian Recombinant Coagulation Proteins: Structure and Function

Recombinant DNA technology has permitted the production of synthetic proteins which are potentially free of human infectious agents. Despite production in foreign cells, these proteins are structurally and functionally comparable to the native proteins. Recombinant clotting factors VIII, IX, VIIa, and von Willebrand factor have the same primary sequence as their plasma counterparts. The secondary and tertiary structures are similar, Post-translational modifications, including proteolytic processing, disulfide bonding, addition and processing of N- and O-linked glycans, γ-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues, β-hydroxylation of aspartic acid residues, sulfation of tyrosine residues, and phosphorylation of serine residues, are similar but not always identical, In some instances. these differences may cause significant functional differences. For example, reduced tyrosine sulfation and serine phosphorylation of recombinant factor IX have been correlated with reduced recovery following intravenous infusion. The specific clotting activity of the recombinant factors, an indication of their coagulant function, is equivalent to that of the plasma factors. Finally, these proteins have been used clinically and shown to correct clinical deficiencies of these proteins in a manner that is similar to replacement with plasma factors. All in all, the promise of recombinant DNA technology for coagulation and other disorders remains bright.

Self-organization of the large-scale planetary and plasma drift vortices.

This paper is a semi-review. A new understanding of the self-organization mechanism of solitary (i.e., long-lived and, in this sense, soliton-like) large-scale vortices in geophysical fluid dynamics, as well as that of drift vortices in the magnetized plasma is discussed. This understanding differs from that described in a review paper by Nezlin [Chaos 4, 187-202 (1994)]. Earlier it was believed that formation of the solitary Rossby (and plasma drift) vortices was a result of equilibrium between wave dispersion and KdV-type nonlinearity. Under the influence of experimental data obtained by our team [M. V. Nezlin and E. N. Snezhkin, Rossby Vortices, Spiral Structures, Solitons (Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 1993)], it became obvious that the self-organization of the structures inevitably includes an essential effect of other nonlinearities; first, that presented by the Jacobian in the equations. (We replace the term "Rossby soliton" by the more exact one "the Rossby solitary vortex.") It must be noted from the very beginning that the term "self-organization" is used mainly in context with an explanation which factors (dispersion and nonlinearities of different kind) condition formation of the solitary (stable, long-lived) Rossby structures. Although, the experimental fact (see below) that the size of solitary vortices turns out to be close to the Rossby-Obukhov radius, independently of the size of the vortex local source, calls to mind the formation of an attractor. In essence, the Rossby solitary vortex self-organization process (although, only for the case of anticyclones) was described by Nycander and Sutyrin [Dyn. Atmos. Oceans 16, 473-498 (1992)]. Unfortunately, however, the authors did not use the term "self-organization." Our description, being in accord with Nycander and Sutyrin, relates not only to anticyclones, but also to anticyclones and cyclones. Second, a description of the experimental discovery of "anomalous" cyclonic-anticyclonic asymmetry is given. Unlike "normal" asymmetry which manifests, in particular, in that the big vortices dominating in giant planet atmospheres (e.g., the Great Red Spot of Jupiter, the Brown Spot of Saturn, the Great Dark Spot of Neptune, et al.) are anticyclones, the asymmetry described manifests in that large-scale solitary vortices may be as cyclones only, not anticyclones. This phenomenon is observed in the presence of a rather strong and properly directed gradient in rotating shallow water depth. This type of asymmetry exists with drift vortices in magnetized plasma. Third, the physical difference between the planetary atmosphere and the laboratory model based on the shallow water layer in a rotating paraboloid is discussed (following, in principle, the Nycander-93 work). It is shown that laboratory modeling is adequate. Fourth, it is also shown that the most essential behavior of the vortices studied on the so-called "beta-plane" of planets and in plasmas can be described by means of rather simplified and visual equations. These are the so-called generalized Charney-Obukhov equation in fluid dynamics and its plasma counterpart, the generalized Hasegawa-Mima equation. Finally, nonlinearities are revealed, which condition properties of the geostrophic vortices under study on the "f-plane," i.e., in the polar regions of planets. &c

Activation of recombinant human Protein C

We have produced recombinant human Protein C (rHPC) in the milk of transgenic swine. After purification, we have analyzed the interaction of the zymogen with Protac, thrombin/thrombomodulin and thrombin alone. The amidolytic and anticoagulant activities of rAPC after Protac activation were ∼80% those of its human plasma counterpart. Upon the excision of the activation peptide by thrombin/thrombomodulin complex, both the natural and recombinant activation products had similar enzymatic and biological activities. This observation can be attributed to the difference in the mechanism of action between the two activators and structural differences between HPC and rHPC.

Alpha-Chain cross-linking in fibrin(ogen) Marburg

The fibrinogen structural variant, Marburg (A alpha 1-460B beta gamma)2, is comprised of normal B beta and gamma chains but contains severely truncated A alpha chains that are missing approximately one half of their factor XIIIa cross-linking domain. Immunochemical studies of fibrin(ogen) Marburg were conducted to characterize the degree to which deletion of a defined A alpha-chain segment, A alpha 461-610, can affect the process of fibrin stabilization, ie, the factor XIIIa-mediated covalent interaction that occurs between alpha chains of neighboring fibrin molecules and between alpha chains and alpha 2 antiplasmin (alpha 2PI). The ability of Marburg (and control) alpha chains to serve as a substrate for factor XIIIa and undergo cross-linking was examined in an in vitro plasma clotting system. The capacity for alpha-chain cross-linking was evaluated both as the covalent incorporation of the small synthetic peptide, NQEQVSPLTLLK (which represents the first 12 amino acids of alpha 2PI and includes the factor XIIIa-sensitive glutamine residue responsible for the cross-linking of alpha 2PI to fibrin), and as the appearance of native (ie, natural), high-molecular-weight, cross-linked alpha-chain species. Antibodies specific for the (A)alpha and gamma/gamma-gamma chains of fibrin(ogen) and for the peptide and its parent protein, alpha 2PI (68 kD), were used as immunoblotting probes to visualize the various cross-linked products formed during in vitro clotting. Recalcification of Marburg plasma in the presence of increasing concentrations of peptide resulted in the formation of peptide-decorated Marburg alpha-chain monomers. Their size at the highest peptide concentration examined indicated the incorporation of a maximum of 3 to 4 mol of peptide per mole of alpha-chain. In the absence of alpha 2PI 1-12 peptide, the alpha chains of Marburg fibrin cross-linked to form oligomers and polymers, as well as heterodimers that included alpha 2PI. Both the peptide-decorated monomers and the native cross-linked alpha-chain species of Marburg fibrin were smaller than their control plasma counterparts, consistent with the truncated structure of the parent Marburg A alpha chain. Collectively, the findings indicate that, although deletion of the A alpha chain region no. 461-610 in fibrinogen Marburg prevents formation of an extensive alpha polymer network (presumably due to the absence of critical COOH-terminal lysine residues), it does not interfere with initial events in the fibrin stabilization process, namely, factor XIII binding and the ability of alpha chains to undergo limited cross-linking to one another and to alpha 2PI.

α-Chain Cross-Linking in Fibrin(ogen) Marburg

Abstract The fibrinogen structural variant, Marburg (A alpha 1–460B beta gamma)2, is comprised of normal B beta and gamma chains but contains severely truncated A alpha chains that are missing approximately one half of their factor XIIIa cross-linking domain. Immunochemical studies of fibrin(ogen) Marburg were conducted to characterize the degree to which deletion of a defined A alpha-chain segment, A alpha 461–610, can affect the process of fibrin stabilization, ie, the factor XIIIa- mediated covalent interaction that occurs between alpha chains of neighboring fibrin molecules and between alpha chains and alpha 2 antiplasmin (alpha 2PI). The ability of Marburg (and control) alpha chains to serve as a substrate for factor XIIIa and undergo cross- linking was examined in an in vitro plasma clotting system. The capacity for alpha-chain cross-linking was evaluated both as the covalent incorporation of the small synthetic peptide, NQEQVSPLTLLK (which represents the first 12 amino acids of alpha 2PI and includes the factor XIIIa-sensitive glutamine residue responsible for the cross- linking of alpha 2PI to fibrin), and as the appearance of native (ie, natural), high-molecular-weight, cross-linked alpha-chain species. Antibodies specific for the (A)alpha and gamma/gamma-gamma chains of fibrin(ogen) and for the peptide and its parent protein, alpha 2PI (68 kD), were used as immunoblotting probes to visualize the various cross- linked products formed during in vitro clotting. Recalcification of Marburg plasma in the presence of increasing concentrations of peptide resulted in the formation of peptide-decorated Marburg alpha-chain monomers. Their size at the highest peptide concentration examined indicated the incorporation of a maximum of 3 to 4 mol of peptide per mole of alpha-chain. In the absence of alpha 2PI 1–12 peptide, the alpha chains of Marburg fibrin cross-linked to form oligomers and polymers, as well as heterodimers that included alpha 2PI. Both the peptide-decorated monomers and the native cross-linked alpha-chain species of Marburg fibrin were smaller than their control plasma counterparts, consistent with the truncated structure of the parent Marburg A alpha chain. Collectively, the findings indicate that, although deletion of the A alpha chain region no. 461–610 in fibrinogen Marburg prevents formation of an extensive alpha polymer network (presumably due to the absence of critical COOH-terminal lysine residues), it does not interfere with initial events in the fibrin stabilization process, namely, factor XIII binding and the ability of alpha chains to undergo limited cross-linking to one another and to alpha 2PI.

Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis of the cDNA Encoding Porcine Acrosin Inhibitor

A full-length cDNA encoding the porcine acrosin inhibitor has been isolated from a boar seminal vesicle cDNA library. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 667-bp cDNA predicts a precursor protein of 97 amino acid residues, which includes a 26-residue signal peptide and a 71-residue secreted protein. The predicted amino acid sequence of the mature protein agrees completely with that of the sperm-associated acrosin inhibitor determined by conventional amino acid sequence analysis. However, the asparagine/aspartic acid and glutamine/glutamic acid substitutions, as reported in the seminal plasma counterpart, have not been observed. Southern blot analysis shows only a single hybridizing band with three different restriction endonucleases, suggesting the presence of a single copy of the acrosin inhibitor gene in the porcine genome.

Scintillations in a magnetized plasma. Part 2. The fourth-order moment

The theory of strong scintillations in a weakly anisotropic plasma is used to derive an equation satisfied by the correlation functions for the Stokes parameters. The coefficients that describe these correlation functions are determined explicitly in terms of a matrix generalization of the standard phasestructure function. In discussing implications of the theory, emphasis is placed on terms that have no counterpart in an isotropic plasma. It is shown that the decay of the linear polarizaiton that results from differential Faraday rotation is different in the mean squares and the square means of the Stokes parameters. In principle, this allows one to determine properties relating to the fluctuations of the magnetic field along the ray path. A formal treatment of polarization dependent intensity fluctuations in a magnetized plasma is presented and discussed briefly.

The complete primary structure of three isoforms of a boar sperm-associated acrosin inhibitor

Acrosin inhibitors of seminal vesicle origin, after binding to their acceptor molecules on the anterior part of ejaculated sperm, are thought to be important capacitation factors, protecting zona binding sites during sperm uterine passage, and then dissociating to allow sperm binding to the zona pellucida of the oocyte. Each species so far tested possess an heterogeneous population of isoinhibitors which may display overlapping but not identical biological functions. Here we report the complete primary structure of three isoforms of a boar sperm-associated acrosin inhibitor, whose sequences are 90% identical to the seminal plasma counterpart. Despite this high analogy, the differences between the sperm-associated and the seminal plasma inhibitors may confer to them different physico-chemical properties which are postulated to be of functional importance.

Phase I and pharmacologic evaluation of intraperitoneal 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine

Intraperitoneal (i.p.) 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (Floxuridine, FUdR, FdUrd) was evaluated in a phase I study at a starting level of 500 mg given on 1 day in 2 I 1.5% dialysate. Escalations within patients were allowed every other cycle. A total of 23 patients (age, 32-78 years) received 108 treatment courses. Local tolerance at all dose levels was excellent, with no cases of drug-related peritonitis being observed. Nausea and vomiting increased in severity in relation to dose and was universal at greater than 3,000 mg x 3 days. One patient each developed grade 1 mucositis as well as diarrhea at a dose of 3,000 mg x 3 days and leukopenia and thrombocytopenia at 5,000 mg x 3 days. Peritoneal fluid (PF) and plasma (PL) FdUrd profiles were monitored by an HPLC method in 13 subjects, with 7 being studied serially at 2-4 increment doses for up to 6 h. Profiles that exhibited apparent linear pharmacokinetics gave PF drug levels 2-4 logs higher than the PL counterparts, with the latter essentially declining in parallel to the former, indicating that the disposition of FdUrd from the peritoneal compartment is rate-determining. The mean terminal half-life for PF FdUrd was found to be 115 min and mean peritoneal clearance was 25 ml/min. The vast differences in drug levels and AUC found between the PF and the PL profiles suggests a high systemic clearance of FdUrd, which was confirmed in two patients receiving 2 g FdUrd by short i.v. infusion. A disproportionate increase in the plasma FdUrd levels and the corresponding AUC values was found with increasing dose, suggesting a disproportionate increase in the systemic partitioning of FdUrd when doses were escalated within a patient. Substantial levels of peritoneal 5-fluorouracil (FUra) were also detected in most of the subjects. Thus, FdUrd was found to have several desirable properties for i.p. administration: (1) a 2- to 4-log pharmacologic advantage. (2) the absence of local toxicities, and (3) a favorable antitumor spectrum and some evidence of antitumor effects in this phase I and pharmacology study. A 3,000-mg dose given in 2 1 1.5% dialysate for 3 consecutive days exhibited antitumor activity and produced no systemic toxicity except nausea and vomiting, which was controlled by antiemetics. This dose schedule is therefore recommended for phase II trials directed against small-volume disease in the peritoneal cavity, such as may be found in some stages of ovarian and gastrointestinal cancers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)