Biomedical subjects

K Mujoo

Publications and source records attributed to K Mujoo.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1986

Biosynthesis and expression of the disialoganglioside GD2, a relevant target antigen on small cell lung carcinoma for monoclonal antibody-mediated cytolysis.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 126 (immunoglobulin M) and 14.18 (immunoglobulin G3) react strongly with the cell surface of small cell carcinoma of the lungs (SCCL) and are unreactive with most normal tissues and other neoplasms with the notable exception of tumors derived from cells of neural crest origin. These MAbs react specifically with the oligosaccharide portion of the disialoganglioside GD2. Analysis of total gangliosides from cultured cell lines derived from SCCL indicates that GD2 is a predominant ganglioside. A comparison of the reactivities of MAbs against GD2 with those directed against gangliosides GM2 and GD3, each differing from GD2 by a single sugar residue, clearly indicates that GD2 is preferentially expressed by cultured cells derived from SCCL. Membranes isolated from these cells exhibit GD2 synthetase activity which specifically converts the precursor GD3 to GD2 in the presence of uridine diphosphate-N-acetyl galactosamine as the glycosyl donor. We present evidence that in SCCL, GD2 serves as a relevant target antigen for monoclonal antibody-mediated cytolysis. Specifically, we demonstrate that MAb 14.18 (immunoglobulin G3), can lyse small cell carcinoma of the lung targets by either complement- or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1983

Isolation, characterization and synthesis of alpha-foetoprotein from neonatal-rat skin.

Monospecific anti-[rat alpha-foetoprotein(alpha-FP)] immunoglobulin G was coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose-4B (4.5 mg/ml packed volume of gel) to yield an adsorbent. The immunoaffinity column was used to isolate alpha-FP from neonatal-rat skin. Purified skin alpha-FP was found to be immunologically and electrophoretically similar to serum alpha-FP. It yielded a single band with mol.wt. 68000 on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. However, on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions, the alpha-FP displayed slow- and fast-moving variants similar to those observed in serum alpha-FP. A Scatchard plot of oestradiol binding to the alpha-FP yielded an association constant of 2.5 X 10(9)M-1 by dextran-coated-charcoal and 0.75 X 10(8)M-1 by Sephadex-gel-filtration procedures respectively. Skin explants from newborn rats were found to incorporate [14C]leucine into immunoprecipitable intracellular alpha-FP. Cycloheximide inhibited the synthesis of alpha-FP in skin explant culture. Our results indicate that newborn-rat skin contains alpha-FP that is similar to serum alpha-FP and which may arise in neonatal-rat skin as a result of synthesis in situ.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Identification and origin of oestradiol-binding protein in immature rat skin. Demonstration of oestrophilic alpha-foetoprotein synthesis and secretion by developing rat skin explants in culture.

Oestrophilic alpha-foetoprotein (alpha FP) is found in high concentrations in developing rat skin cytosol. Elevated levels of alpha FP observed in foetal-rat skin decreased during development, and the protein became undetectable after 3 weeks of postnatal life. The developmental profile of alpha FP in skin is different from that in foetal blood. alpha FP in skin arises as a result of its synthesis in situ in the epidermal cells. Synthesis of alpha FP in skin is demonstrated by linear incorporation of [14C]leucine into immunoprecipitable, intracellular alpha FP by skin explants during 6 h in culture. Secretion is demonstrated by incorporation into alpha FP in culture medium. The rate of alpha FP synthesis in skin also declined with age and its synthesis is completely switched off 2 weeks after birth. The skin alpha FP level during development is regulated by controlling the rate of its synthesis in skin. alpha FP synthesized and secreted by skin is immunologically, electrophoretically and, with respect to molecular weight and oestradiol-binding properties, similar to that found in foetal serum. alpha FP was also identified as the major oestradiol-binding protein present in newborn-rat skin or secreted by newborn-rat skin explants in culture.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Isolation, characterization, and synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein from neonatal rat brain.

Monospecific anti-rat serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) IgG was coupled to cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose-4B (4.5 mg/ml packed volume of gel) to yield an immunoaffinity matrix. The immunoaffinity column was used to isolate AFP from feto-neonatal rat brain. The purified AFP was immunologically and electrophoretically similar to serum AFP. It yielded a single band with a molecular weight of 70,000 on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the protein under nondenaturing conditions yielded two charge variants of AFP, reminiscent of AFP from feto-neonatal rat serum. The AFP was observed to bind estradiol with Ka = 5.8 X 10(8) M -1 and 1.3 X 10(8) M -1 by dextran-coated charcoal adsorption and Sephadex gel filtration techniques, respectively. Newborn rat brain cells linearly incorporated [14C]leucine into immunoprecipitable AFP during 6 h in culture. It is, therefore, concluded that feto-neonatal rat brain contains AFP similar to that present in fetal serum and that it may arise in brain as a result of its in situ synthesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Synthesis and secretion of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin by newborn rat brain cells in culture.

Brain cells of newborn rat were found to synthesize and secrete alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin in short-term culture. Synthesis of AFP and albumin was demonstrated by time-related linear incorporation of [14C]leucine into immunoprecipitable AFP and albumin by brain cells from newborn rat during 6 h incubation of the cultures. Newly synthesized labeled AFP and albumin were also accumulated (secreted) linearly as a function of incubation period. Cycloheximide could inhibit this incorporation of [14C]leucine into immunoprecipitable AFP and albumin. Synthesis of AFP and albumin accounted for 11-13% and 5-6% respectively, while their secretion into the culture medium was about 27-30% and 11-13% respectively of the total proteins synthesized and secreted by brain cells of newborn rat. Rate of AFP synthesis was about 2-fold greater than that of albumin. AFP and albumin secreted by brain cells displayed a complete immunological identity with, and electrophoretic mobilities similar to, the serum AFP and albumin. Molecular weights of AFP and albumin secreted by brain cells were also similar to their corresponding serum proteins. AFP was identified as the only active estradiol binding protein secreted by newborn rat brain cells in culture. Our studies suggest that albumin and estrophilic AFP originate in the developing rat brain in situ by intracellular synthesis.

Albumins↗