No abstract

Monoclonal antibodies (MABS) were raised against human alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and their reaction with the polymorphic forms of this plasma protein were evaluated. Spleen cells of BALB/c mice, immunized with native or desialylated human AGP, were fused with NSO mouse myeloma cells. The hybridoma products were screened with a direct ELISA test, in which the immunoplates were coated with a mixture of native and desialylated AGP. In this test, 14 anti-AGP antibody producing clones were retained. Coating the wells with either native or desialylated AGP showed that eleven clones reacted with both types of AGP ('Type I' MABS), while three MABS reacted specifically with the desialylated form ('Type II' MABS). Precoating the immunoplates with polyclonal anti-human AGP followed by incubation with native or desialylated AGP before the addition of hybridoma supernatant (indirect ELISA), confirmed the specificities observed in the direct ELISA. The molecular heterogeneity of both native AGP and desialylated AGP, based on Concanavalin A reactivity and isoelectric point, was not reflected by any specificity in the antibody reactions. Thus 'Type I' MABS reacted with all molecular forms present in native and desialylated AGP while 'Type II' MABS reacted with all molecular forms present in desialylated AGP.

No abstract

Dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) enzyme activity was associated in rat superior cervical ganglion with tetrameric DBH-A (294,000 D) and dimeric DBH-B (147,000 D) and in rat adrenal gland with DBH-A and a novel molecular form of DBH, defined as DBH-C, with a molecular weight of 125,000 D. Pretreatment of the rats with cycloheximide markedly reduced DBH activity without altering the molecular heterogeneity.

The influence of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on the concentrations of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in serum and dialysate and on the serum binding of oxprenolol, propranolol and phenytoin has been studied. Before starting CAPD treatment, the serum binding of oxprenolol and propranolol was higher and that of phenytoin lower than in healthy volunteers, and the serum alpha 1-AGP concentration was higher. During the first days to weeks after starting CAPD, the serum alpha 1-AGP concentration rose with a concomitant increase in the binding of oxprenolol and propranolol. Subsequently, the alpha 1-AGP level and the binding of oxprenolol and propranolol decreased to the values found before starting CAPD. The binding of phenytoin showed little change. The concentration of alpha 1-AGP in dialysate was 2 to 5% of that in serum.