Abstract. To investigate the greater enzymatic activity of the alternative pathway convertase (and the subsequent greater fixation of C3b) on paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) erythrocytes, we have examined the topography of binding of C3b to PNH and normal erythrocytes. Using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography, the a-chain of C3b was found to bind via predominantly ester bonds to free hydroxyl groups on glycophorin-a, the major erythrocyte sialoglycoprotein. The pattern of binding of nascent C3b was the same for normal and PNH erythrocytes. Thus, although C3b binding to a different membrane constituent did not appear to account for the greater enzymatic activity of the alternative pathway convertase when affixed to PNH erythrocytes, it seemed possible that the glycoproteins to which C3b bound might be qualitatively abnormal on the PNH cells, and that structural differences in these molecules might impose modifications in the enzyme-substrate interactions of the alternative pathway convertase. Using methods for radiolabeling both protein and carbohydrate residues, we therefore compared the electrophoretic pattern of the cellsurface glycoproteins on PNH and normal erythrocytes. The glycophorin-a dimer was found to be qualitatively abnormal on the PNH cells as evidenced by its greater susceptibility to trypsin-mediated proteolysis. In addition, the abnormal erythrocytes from patients with PNH had Parts of this work were presented to the

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Physalaemin (Mr = 1284) is a potent undecapeptide from the skin of South American frogs. The amino acid sequence of the COOH-terminal region of this peptide is similar to that of substance P. An antiserum specific for the NH2-terminal sequence of physalaemin enabled the quantitation and localization of physalaemin-like immunoreactivity (PSLI) in mammalian tissues. PSLI is found in acid extracts of whole trachea from rat, rabbit, and guinea pig and in the tracheal mucosal layer in the dog, cow, and pig. The concentration determined by radioimmunoassay ranged from 1 to 15 ng/g dry weight of tissue, with rat trachea containing the highest amount. Gel filtration of an extract of rabbit trachea on Bio-Gel P-4 revealed a single peak of immunoreactivity that had an approximate Mr of 1700, similar to that detected in extracts of guinea pig and rabbit stomach. In contrast to amphibian physalaemin, mammalian PSLI 1) has a higher molecular weight, 2) is resistant to alpha-chymotrypsin or trypsin digestion, 3) elutes earlier from a C18 alkylsilane resin with increasing concentrations of methanol, and 4) can be separated from physalaemin by thin-layer chromatography. These data indicate that the mammalian PSLI is different in structure from the amphibian peptide.

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