Structural analogy among mammalian spectrins and spectrin-like proteins revealed by molybdenum labeling.

Pentavalent complex of 99Mo with ascorbic acid binds in vitro to the plasma membranes of human, rabbit, rat and mouse red cell membranes and to bovine synaptic and rat intestinal brush border membranes. Red cell spectrins and spectrin-like proteins from non-erythroid cells were determined as the molybdenum-binding proteins in the membranes. Specificity of this binding among all membrane proteins suggests structural analogy in this group of proteins.

Reticulocyte-dependent labeling alterations of red cell membrane in pyruvate kinase deficiency anemia.

The radioactive labeling of spectrin using the pentavalent complex of molybdenum-99 was applied to the study of membrane protein in pyruvate kinase deficient red cells. Compared to the control, the labeling profile of the enzymopathic red cell membrane proteins remained generally unchanged but the molybdenum uptake was found to depend largely on the reticulocyte count. This finding may reflect changes during the cell maturation.

The mechanism of action of molybdenum and tungsten upon collagen structures in vivo.

The effect of in vivo administration of molybdenum (as sodium molybdate) and tungsten (as sodium tungstate) was investigated in the skin of laboratory rats. It was proved that the amount of both bound molybdenum and tungsten in collagen is relatively small being 0.05 and 0.

Specific molybdenum binding to spectrin subunits.

Molybdenum in the form of its pentavalent complex binds primarily to spectrin when incubated with erythrocytes. Only the band 1 subunit is involved in this interaction thus indicating some structural differences between spectrin subunits.

Effects of molybdenum on the organism (a review).

Molybdenum belongs to a group of essential microelements and occurs in all components of the environment. Major Mo sources for man are foods, especially vegetable, to a lesser extent drinking water. Its metabolism is primarily influenced by interaction with other metals, specifically copper and iron.

Unchanged binding of 99molybdenum to red cell membrane proteins in hereditary spherocytosis.

The interaction of 99Mo with red cell membrane proteins was found specific for spectrin both in normal red cells and those of hereditary spherocytosis. In addition, no significant quantitative differences were observed in labeling patterns between these two types of red cells, thus indicating no major alterations in the spectrin molecules of hereditary spherocytosis.

Interaction of molybdenum with human erythrocyte membrane proteins.

This study describes the interaction of molybdenum with blood components. Molybdenum-99 was added to blood, and after four washings, 3% of the total radioactivity was found in red cells. More specifically, the radioactivity was determined to be associated with the cell membrane.

Investigation on the reaction of molybdenum with collagen in vivo.

Male Wistar rats were treated with Mo in a single dose or over a period of 84 days. The course of molybdenum excretion after a single dose was expressed mathematically. It was shown that various tissues produced different excretion curves and a high retention was observed only in skin.

Single nephron glomerular filtration rate ratios of superficial, intercortical and juxtamedullary nephrons in rats during development.

In 20, 40 and 60-day-old rats the filtration rate was studied using Baines modification of Hanssen's Na4Fe (14CN)6 method enabeling the determination of single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR) ratio between superficial (S), intercortical (I) and juxtamedullary (J) nephrons. The proximal tubule lengths were determined as well. A close correlation was obtained between age and S/I, I/J and S/J of proximal tubule lengths and between age and I/J, S/J 14C-activities of ferro-cyanide.

Maternal milk intake by infant rats temporarily denied acces to other food sources.

The onset of the weaning period for infant rats was artificially postponed to the 24th day of life by denying the young access to solid food and/or water. Study of 85-Sr transfer in the maternal milk showed that the artificial shift in the initiation of weaning did not influence the time of its termination. The weaning period, defined as the time between the first intake of solid food and the last intake of maternal milk, was shortened to about 4 days in these young.