Analysis of neutral sugars by gas-liquid chromatography of alditol acetates: application to thyrotropic hormone and other glycoproteins

Analysis of Clostridium botulinum toxigenic types A, B, and E for fatty and carbohydrate content

Lyophilized, 48-hr log-phase vegetative cells were extracted with chloroform-methanol (2:1, v/v) and ethanol-ether (3:1, v/v) and then saponified with methanolic KOH. Gas-liquid chromatography of the methyl esters of extractable fatty acids revealed distinctive "pattern profiles" of Clostridium botulinum toxigenic types "A," "B," and "E." C. perfringens type "A" and Escherichia coli strain "B" were also studied in a similar manner and were found to give pattern profiles which were distinct even from those obtained for the C. botulinum microorganisms. Amino sugar content of the five microorganisms was determined by using a Beckman amino acid analyzer. The molar ratio of glucosamine to that of galactosamine was found to be of further assistance in distinguishing the individual microorganisms.

Biosynthesis of the carbohydrate portion of immunoglobulins. Kinetics of synthesis and secretion of [3H] leucine-, [3H] galactose- and [3H] mannose-labelled myeloma protein by two plasma-cell tumours

The kinetics of incorporation of leucine, galactose and mannose into intracellular and secreted myeloma protein, MOPC 21 IgG(1) and MOPC 46 kappa-type light chain, by cell suspensions of two myeloma plasma-cell tumours, MOPC 21 and MOPC 46, were similar. Radioactive galactose was incorporated to over 90% into galactose residues of intracellular and secreted protein, mannose to over 90% into glucosamine and mannose residues of intracellular protein and to over 90% into glucosamine, mannose and fucose residues of secreted protein, but not into galactose residues. The results show that specific residues in the carbohydrate portion of myeloma proteins can be labelled by specific radioactive monosaccharides, and suggest that fucose residues are added, while myeloma protein is in its final stage of secretion from the plasma cell. The kinetics of incorporation indicate at least three sequential precursor-product relationships between different intracellular forms and the secreted form of myeloma protein.