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Biomedical subjects

M Crisp

Publications and source records attributed to M Crisp.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

A non-organic and non-enzymatic extraction method gives higher yields of genomic DNA from whole-blood samples than do nine other methods tested.

We compared ten methods for extraction of DNA from whole blood. Nine methods require incubation with either enzymes or treatment of organic solvents or both. The 'Rapid Method' (RM) (Method 10) avoids the use of organic solvents (phenol/chloroform) and eliminates completely the use of proteinase K. Thus, the time and cost of DNA extraction are reduced significantly. This is accomplished by salting out and precipitation of the cellular proteins in saturated sodium chloride. This method takes less than an hour to completion, without compromising the yield or the quality of DNA. Using RM, we can make DNA from 0.1 ml of whole blood and as little as 0.5 ml of blood yields DNA sufficient to run a few Southern blots. The RM can also be applied to packed cells. The DNA is free of RNA, protein and degrading enzymes. The uncut DNA runs as a typical slow-migrating, high-molecular-weight and undegraded species in an agarose gel. The DNA is suitable for digestion by various restriction endonucleases. This procedure works equally well with fresh blood samples and with those that are stored at 4 degrees C and -70 degrees C. To our knowledge the RM reported here is the safest, fastest and most quantitative and economical method for preparation of DNA from whole blood and cells.

Chemistry Techniques, Analytical

DNA banking: the effects of storage of blood and isolated DNA on the integrity of DNA.

Long-term storage of DNA is required for a number of genetic studies; prior to extraction, blood samples may be subject to elevated temperatures for variable intervals. We have studied the effect of temperatures ranging from -70 degrees C to +65 degrees C on human blood and on DNA extracted from it. DNA in solution stored at ambient temperatures up to 37 degrees C for 6 months was digestible by three different restriction endonucleases, whereas storage at 45 degrees C is deleterious after 6-7 weeks. DNA can be extracted from blood samples stored at -70 degrees C for at least 2 months or at 23 degrees C for a week or more, but blood stored at these temperatures may yield less high-molecular-weight DNA. Cell pellets from which plasma has been removed also can serve as a source of DNA. Isolated DNA stored dry for years (up to 30) is difficult to dissolve and may appear degraded, but a sample stored dry for 13 years and then in solution at -20 degrees C for 7 years appeared to be intact.

Blood Preservation

Characterization of phosphohydrolase activity in bovine spleen extracts: identification of a bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate-hydrolyzing activity (phosphodiesterase IV) which also acts on adenosine triphosphate.

Several bovine spleen enzymes with acid pH optima, some of which hydrolyze bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate and therefore fit the definition of "phosphodiesterase IV," were partially separated by isoelectric focusing and ion-exchange techniques. The activities were characterized by zymogram analysis with the aid of p-nitrophenyl and 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate and phosphonate substrates. A number of these enzymes meet the criteria for phosphodiesterase I or other phosphodiesterases. However, the predominant phosphodiesterase I hydrolyzes the bis(p-nitrophenyl)-and 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphates, p-nitrophenyl and 4-methylumbelliferyl phenylphosphonate, and ATP at the beta-gamma bond, but not p-nitrophenyl or 4-methylumbelliferyl 5'-thymidylate (the usual PDE I substrates). These properties, as well as the pH optimum, distinguish the activity from the previously described, alkaline pH optimum PDE I. A second phosphodiesterase hydrolyzes only the phenylphosphonates. Several other activities, less well described, are apparent on zymograms. None of the phosphodiesterases IV was also a phosphodiesterase II (no hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl 3'-thymidylate).

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases

Sialic acid residues contribute to the heterogeneity of human serum ribonuclease: demonstration by isoelectric focusing and neuraminidase treatment of serum.

Ribonuclease (RNase) activity from human serum appears as multiple zones of activity following isoelectric focusing in thin layer polyacrylamide gel. At least one but not all of these zones is cross reactive with rabbit antibovine pancreatic RNase A antiserum. Treatment of serum or partially purified serum RNase with neuraminidase reduces the complexity of the serum RNase banding pattern to a major band which focuses at a pH of 9.5 or greater and a minor zone of activity which focuses at about pH 6.0-6.2. Trypsin does not affect the pattern. Thus, sialic acid residues account for a large portion of the heterogeneity of human serum RNase. Neuraminidase treatment is requisite for evaluating RNase from serum and certain other sources.

Animals

Tissue specificity of human phosphodiesterase. I. Blood serum.

Human blood serum was found to contain two enzymes which hydrolyze various phosphate diester and phosphonate ester bonds. The enzymes were isolated by butanol extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation, column chromatography and gel electrophoresis. Zymograms showed that one of these enzymes is serum alkaline phosphatase and the other is a 'true' phosphodiesterase I. Serums of 25 persons showed no polymorphisms for either activity. Alkaline phosphatase hydrolyzes phenolic thymidine 5'-nucleotide esters readily, but phenylphosphonate esters very poorly. Serum phosphodiesterase I prefers phenylphosphonate esters to nucleotide diesters, and has no detectable monoesterase activity.

Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose

Tissue specificity of human phosphodiesterase. II. Intestinal mucosa.

Extracts of human intestinal mucosa were examined for their ability to hydrolyze various phosphodiester, phosphomonoester and phenylphosphonate ester linkages. Enzymes carrying out these reactions were partially purified by butanol extraction, ammonium sulfate precipitation and DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and examined for polymorphism on polyacrylamide gels. Two species of alkaline phosphatase and at least five species of PDE I were identified. Antibodies to purified bovine intestinal phosphatase and phosphodiesterase were found specific for the respective human enzymes.

Alkaline Phosphatase

The synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl phenylphosphonate and its used in an improved method for the zymogram analysis of phosphodiesterase I.

The 4-methylumbelliferyl analog of p-nitrophenyl phenylphosphonate was prepared and its cleavage by different phosphohydrolases was studied. The new compound, 4-methylumbelliferyl phenylphosphonate, is hydrolyzed by purified phosphodiesterase I (EC 3.1.4.1) from snake venom or bovine intestinal mucosa. This fact has been exploited to develop a zymogram method which allows the detection of these phosphohydrolases on gels, even when the enzymes are present in small amounts in crude extracts. This method is superior to chromogenic methods evolving p-nitrophenol in that it is far more sensitive and is superior to the 4-methylumbelliferyl thymidine 5'-phosphate method in that the substrate is easier to prepare and can be isolated in large quantity.

Animals

On the ultrastructure and permeability of taste buds of the marine teleost Ciliata mustela.

The abundant taste buds of the barbels and free fin rays of the five bearded rockling, Ciliata mustela contain an average of 100-150 cells, falling into two types. Tubule-containing cells ('t-cells'), tentatively identified as receptor cells, and each surrounded by fibril-containing cells ('f-cells') in the central part of the bud. t-Cells also occur in two concentric shells separated by indifferent epithelial cells at the periphery of the bud. f-Cells are characterized by their concentrations of fine fibrils, and by granules or vesicles of 180-190 mmu diameter. The 100 or so receptor cells in a taste bud are innervated by some 250 axons. Lanthanum penetrates more deeply into the extracellular space of taste buds than into the extracellular space of the general epithelium, perhaps indicating that a greater area than the mere protruding tip of receptor cells may be accessible to chemical stimulation. Degenerating cells may provide an important route of entry for such external agents.

Animals