Affinity chromatography of cells and cell membranes

This article attempts to introduce the concept of cellular affinity chromatography as it departs from molecular affinity chromatography. Special emphasis is placed on the selectio of a solid support as well as on the role of lectins as affinity ligands. Our major goal was to bring to light the basic principles involved, multiple options of ligands and matrices, and different techniques, which may be applied to separate the complex cell population as well as cell membranes. It is hoped that further developments in the field, especially in the selection of proper experimental conditions, ligands and matrix material may provide better results. We have tried to identify some of the potential problems which should be considered before these approaches can be used on a routine basis. Although the review deals primarily with the affinity chromatography of cells and cell membranes, examples are presented for diverse systems such as cell organelles, viruses and phages. A table summarizing the use of cellular affinity chromatography is included. It lists more than 80 examples covering the literature up to December, 1979.

Ureteric diverticula: ureterodiverticular reflux and yo-yo effect. A television study with spot filming

Two cases of ureteric diverticulum are presented. Repeated infective episodes were the main presenting features in one, whereas intermittent attacks of colicky pain brought the other patient in for clinical assessment. Fluoroscopic evaluation of the latter patient demonstrated free ureterodiverticular reflux and yo-yo phenomenon. Following diverticulectomy the pain completely disappeared.

Osteosarcoma of the orbit

A rare case of osteosarcoma of the orbit in a 10-year-old female child is reported.

Ureterocalycostomy for postpyelolithotomy stenosis after failure of intubated infundibuloplasty

Extended pyelolithotomy for staghorn calculus in a uremic patient with solitary functioning kidney was followed by development of stenosis of the infundibulum draining the superior and middle calyces. Drainage of the lower calyx down the ureter remained intact. Intubated infundibuloplasty proved unsuccessful since scarring and occlusion promptly recurred. Anastomosis of the middle calyx to the ureter was then performed with good results. We believe this is the first reported case of ureterocalycostomy for providing drainage to the middle calyx without lower polar nephrectomy.

Site of Tc-99m binding to the red blood cell: concise communication

The increasing interest in the use of Tc-99m-labeled red blood cells encourages exploration into the site and mechanism of binding of Tc-99m to the RBC components. The components isolated from the labeled red cells were the lipid and protein of the membrane, heme, and the alpha and beta chains of the globin. The binding occurs mainly to the protein moiety, and preferentially to the beta chain of the globin, where the specific activity was found to be 28 +/- 6 times that of the alpha chain. The mechanism of binding is discussed. The role of heme in the binding is not clear.

Pedicled omental graft in repair of large, difficult vesicovaginal fistulae

Large vesicovaginal fistulae, particularly those associated with urethral loss, present formidable repair problems. Omentum, recognized for its role in resolving abdominal infection, is successfully used for pedicle grafts in these complex situations. The authors present their experience in 25 cases, describing modifications of an earlier procedure.

Application of Bradford's protein assay to chick brain subcellular fractions

Protein content of different subcellular fractions from chick brain is compared by using Lowry, TCA-Lowry and Bradford assay methods. Caution is urged in application of Bradford's method to general assay for protein concentration in subcellular fractions.

Affinity chromatography of Ruta graveolens L. O-methyltransferases. Studies demonstrating the potential of the technique in the mechanistic investigation of O-methyltransferases

Two discrete furanocoumarin (5- and 8-)O-methyltransferases and a caffeic acid 3-O-methyl-transferase from cell cultures of Ruta graveoleus L. have been copurified by affinity chromatography on 1,6-diaminohexane agarose (AH-Sepharose 4B) linked with S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH). The furanocoumarin O-methyltransferases, which transfer a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) to the 5- or 8-hydroxyls of linear furanocoumarins, were not retarded by 5-(3-carboxypropanamido)-xanthotoxin (CPAX) immobilized to AH-Sepharose 4B, but addition of SAM to the irrigant buffer led to complete retardation of both enzymes on this affinity system. An analogous phenomenon was observed for the caffeic acid O-methyltransferase, with a ferulic acid ligand coupled to the same insoluble support. SAH was as effective as SAM in promoting binding of the furanocoumarin O-methyltransferases to CPAX and caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase to immobilized ferulic acid, respectively. The strong and specific adsorption of these enzymes was abolished by exclusion of SAM or SAH from the irrigant buffer. It is concluded that the enzymes bind first to SAM or SAH, and that this binding process in turn induces the binding site for their specific phenolic substrates or their analogs. Based on these findings, a compulsory-ordered kinetic mechanism for the action of these O-methyltransferases is postulated.

Separation of the S-adenosylmethionine: 5- and 8-hydroxyfuranocoumarin O-methyltransferases of Ruta graveolens L. by general ligand affinity chromatography

Two S-adenosyl-L-methionine:furanocoumarin O-methyltransferases of R. graveolens, acting at the 5- and 8-hydroxyl of the psoralen nucleus, were completely resolved by adsorption on a general affinity ligand, 5-(3-carboxypropanamido) xanthotoxin, followed by specific desorption by bergaptol and xanthotoxol, respectively. The 5-O-methyltransferase was purified 450-fold by this procedure, the 8-O-methyltransferase 112-fold, and both enzyme fractions were electrophoretically homogeneous. No resolution could be achieved of the activity against two 5-hydroxypsoralens or of the activity against two 8-hydroxypsoralens, and conclusive evidence is presented for the existence of only one 5-O-methyltransferase and only one 8-O-methyltransferase acting on linear furanocoumarins.