Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium sp. isolated from northern Alaskan caribou (Rangifer tarandus)

Cryptosporidium sp. was found in 3 out of 49 caribou (Rangifer tarandus) from northern Alaska. Segments of both the 18S ribosomal RNA and the heat shock protein genes were amplified from the caribou isolate and compared with that obtained from an isolate from a wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Virginia as well as other species and isolates available from GenBank. Analyses showed the white-tailed deer isolate to be identical with the C. parvum cattle genotype; however, the caribou isolate represents a new genotype closely related to C. serpentis, C. muris, and C. andersoni. Giardia sp. was not detected in any of the caribou samples nor was Cryptosporidium sp. or Giardia sp. detected in any of the 42 moose (Alces alces) samples examined.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein is secreted by Hep G2 cells and contains asparagine-linked carbohydrate and sialic acid

A cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) of apparent Mr 74,000 has recently been purified from human plasma. Cholesteryl ester transfer activity was found to accumulate in the medium of cultured Hep G2 cells. The transfer activity was removed by immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies to the plasma CETP. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of immunoprecipitates prepared from the medium of cells pulsed with [35S]methionine revealed a broad specific band of protein of Mr 72,000 to 76,000; by contrast, immunoprecipitates of cellular homogenates showed a sharp specific band of Mr 58,000. The Mr 72,000 to 76,000 band disappears, concomitant with the appearance of lower Mr products, upon neuraminidase or glycopeptidase F treatment of medium immunoprecipitates or of purified CETP. The results indicate that liver cells have the capacity to synthesize and secrete CETP. The CETP peptide acquires asparagine-linked carbohydrate and sialic acid during intracellular processing.