Methane-induced haemolysis of human erythrocytes.

Human erythrocytes were exposed to high concentrations of methane and nitrogen through the application of elevated partial pressures of these gas molecules. Cell leakage (haemolysis) was measured for cells exposed to these gases under a wide range of experimental conditions. Application of methane produces haemolysis at pressures far below the hydrostatic pressures known to disrupt membrane or protein structure.

Structure of a foreign peptide displayed on the surface of bacteriophage M13.

The use of filamentous bacteriophage M13 as a vehicle for display of foreign peptides and proteins provides a means for the construction of therapeutic, diagnostic and technological tools of broad utility. The usefulness of this technology is dependent on the ability of an inserted peptide to act as a ligand when fused to a structural protein. This, in turn, depends on the configuration in which the fused peptide is presented on the surface of the phage.

A new carbene based heterobifunctional reagent. Photochemical crosslinking of aldolase.

The synthesis of a new photoactivatable heterobifunctional crosslinking reagent, the N-oxysuccinimide ester of 2-carboxy-9-diazofluorene, is described. The ability of the parent chromophore 2-carbomethoxy-9-diazofluorene to insert into cyclohexane and methanol has been established. The reagent has been linked to aldolase and the stoichiometry determined.