Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F Hallinan.
We have demonstrated the value of immunoblotting techniques for the examination of the variant forms of plasma proteins. Furthermore, by preincubation of samples with the appropriate enzymes or ligands it is possible, using immunoblotting, to examine the molecular basis and functional significance of plasma protein microheterogeneity.
Microheterogeneity of antithrombin III (ATIII) was examined in pooled normal human plasma and serum by IEF/PA and immunoblotting techniques. A pattern consisting of 8 bands varying in isoelectric point from 4.7 to 5.2 was observed in citrated plasma following IEF in a pH range of 4-6. A similar pattern was observed in all 149 healthy adults examined. The reactivity of ATIII with heparin or, thrombin was investigated using this technique. Characteristic shifts of the banding pattern to the anode or, cathode respectively were observed.
Depsite the high incidence of cystic fibrosis there is no clear cut direction to research into the basic defect responsible for this disorder. This is, at least in part, due to the exceptional amount of irreproducibility surrounding the disease. The defective ion reabsorption in CF sweat glands may be a prototype of a generalized failure to correctly process exocrine gland primary secretions. Such a physiological defect could account for many of the clinical symptoms of CF. It is hypothesised that one or more secreted proteinase(s) may mediate the events of secretion processing. A mutation in the structural gene for such a proteinase or a regulating anti-proteinase or some enzyme carrying out a functionally important post translational modification of the proteinase would then account for the disease.