Image analysis and three-dimensional model of chymotrypsin-transformed human alpha 2-macroglobulin complexed with a monoclonal antibody specific for this conformation.

Alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) is a plasma inhibitor of proteinases, the steric mechanism of which is based on a considerable conformational change. The typical and distinct H-like shape of alpha 2M-chymotrypsin (alpha 2M-chy) complexes seen by electron microscopy led us to an ultrastructural study of the binding of a monoclonal antibody (Mab) specific for this conformation of alpha 2M. The epitope of this Mab is located near the extremities of the 4 arms of the H-like alpha 2M-chy, at a site that is not accessible on the native molecule.

Approach to the direct intramolecular localization of antigenic determinants in Androctonus australis hemocyanin with monoclonal antibodies by molecular immunoelectron microscopy.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) directed vs. subunits from hemocyanin (Hc) of the scorpion Androctonus australis were used in molecular immunoelectron microscopy (MIEM) to directly localize the epitopes within the subunits. Four types of mAb were used.

Cell-free synthesis of hemocyanin from the scorpion Androctonus australis. Characterization of the translation products by monospecific antisera.

Translation of Androctonus australis poly(A)-RNA in vitro led to a number of polypeptides products (8-10) of 70-73 kDa analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by immunoprecipitation with an anti-(dissociated hemocyanin) antiserum. The translated hemocyanin polypeptides have the same physico-chemical characteristics as authentic hemocyanin subunits. Subunits Aa 2 and Aa 4 have been identified with monospecific antisera characterized (a) by their capability of reacting with their homologous subunit and (b) by their inability of binding to cross-reacting subunits.

Immunological correlates between multiple isolated subunits of Androctonus australis and Limulus polyphemus hemocyanins: an evolutionary approach.

Immunological cross-reactivities between isolated subunits of the scorpion Androctonus australis (Aa) and of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus (Lp) hemocyanins were studied using subunit-specific antibodies prepared through immunoadsorption to pure immobilized subunits. Rocket immunoelectrophoreses of the various subunits of both hemocyanins were carried out at constant antigen concentration against the various subunit-specific antibody preparations. Then the data were analyzed through factorial correspondence analysis and compared to the respective intramolecular locations of the subunits in both hemocyanins.

[Role of glutamate dehydrogenase in the biological detection of excessive drinkers].

384 hospitalized patients of both sexes were classified into drinkers and non-drinkers according to clinical criteria. On admission, we measured four blood parameters : glutamate dehydrogenase, gamma glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase and the mean corpuscular volume. the discriminating power of these laboratory parameters was evaluated by descriptive statistical tests and by the determination of their positive and negative predictive value.

Architecture of Limulus polyphemus hemocyanin.

The architecture of the 48-meric hemocyanin of the horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus has been determined from electron micrographs of whole (48-mer) molecules and half- (24-mer) molecules. The assembly of hexamers of kidney-shaped subunits can produce two dodecameric enantiomorphs, designated as right and left. The assembly of 24-mers can again result in two enantiomorphs.

A refined quaternary structure of Androctonus australis Hemocyanin.

The quaternary structure of the (4 X 6)-mer hemocyanin from the Scorpion Androctonus australis previously published [Lamy, J., Bijlholt, M. M.

[Changing relative proportions of apolipoproteins of VLDL in chronic male alcoholics (author's transl)].

Apoproteins of very low density lipoproteins of plasma from male chronic alcoholics and healthy men serving as controls were investigated. VLDL were delipidated using diethyl ether-ethanol and were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The average relative concentration of apo Cll, Clll1 and Clll2 are investigated.

Hemocyanins in spiders, VII. Immunological comparison of the subunits of Eurypelma californicum hemocyanin.

The isolated subunites of Eurypelma californicum hemocyanin were studied by aid of antibodies raised against whole, dissociated hemocyanin. The proportion of impurities was found to be low in almost all subunits. There was no cross reaction between the individual chains, and the total number of antigenically different subunits was found to be seven, confirming results obtained by different methods.

[Detection of excessive chronic alcoholic consumption and control of withdrawal. Comparative study of respective values of the mean red-cell volume and serum gamma-glutamyl-transferase activity].

The routine detection of chronic alcoholism is necessary during any medical examination whether private or in hospital, or in occupational medicine. The practitionner now has available a simple reliable and cheap test. It consists of the serum estimation of gamma-glutamyl-transferase (gammaGT) and interpretation of the average red cell volume supplied by automatic counting of the red cell.

[Late ileal metastases from a skin melanoma with mainly hemorrhagic symptoms. Report of one case (author's transl)].

Intestinal metastase from a malignant melanoma are rare and raise difficult diagnostic problems especially when far from the initial tumour. Although acute intussusception is the usual clinical presentation, one should recognise the possibility of atypical symptoms: e.g.

[Structure of scorpion hemocyanin: heterogeneity of its sub-units].

Six dissociation products isolated from the Androctonus australis scorpion haemocyanin are studied through analytical ultracentrifugation and acrylamide-SDS electrophoresis: the results show that one of these fractions exists as a dimer and that the five others are monomers. A genetical study shows that two subunits at least can undergo mutations.

[The secretin test with the standard dose and high dose in chronic pancreatitis].

Sequential standard (1.0 U/kg) and augmented (4.0-5.