Clyde Stormont

The biochemical genetics of rabbit erythrocyte esterases: Two new esterase loci

Starch gel electrophoresis of sonicated rabbit red cells using a modified system of buffers gave a maximum of 24 zones of esterase activity with α-naphthyl acetate as substrate, 23 with α-naphthyl propionate, and 20 with α-naphthyl butyrate. Seventeen of the zones common to gels developed with any of these substrates were divided into three systems of isozymes, one of which, genetic system 1, has been previously described by Grunder et al. (1965). The zones of system 2 migrated between those of system 1 and those of system 3, the most anodal system. Each of these new systems, like system 1, consisted of three phenotypes controlled, respectively, by a pair of codominant autosomal alleles. In 10 test-cross matings involving systems 1 and 2, not more than two of four possible phenotypes were observed in the offspring of each family, thereby indicating close linkage of the two loci. Based on those matings, the probability that the two loci are independent was less than 0.0001.

Genetic Control of Albumin Phenotypes in Horses.

Summary By means of a starch-gel technique suggested by Kristjansson, 3 albumin phenotypes A, AB and B are demonstrable in the serum of horses. As indicated by data on the inheritance of these phenotypes and by a gene-frequency analysis of the distribution of the phenotypes in 2 breeds of horses, the results are consistent with the interpretation that the 3 phenotypes are controlled by a pair of codominant, autosomal alleles. These 3 phenotypes can be diagnosed by examining either the albumin region or the post-albumin region of the gels. Hence, diagnosis in one region serves as an independent check on the other.

VARIANTS OF OVINE ALKALINE SERUM PHOSPHATASES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH THE R-O BLOOD GROUPS.

Summary When sheep sera are subjected to electrophoresis in starch gels and the gels are stained with phosphatase dyes, it is possible, with few exceptions, to demonstrate 2 clearly demarcated zones of phosphatase activity named A and B, in decreasing rate of migration. All 177 samples exhibited activity in zone A and some in zone B. It is shown that phosphatase activity in zone B is highly correlated with the presence of the soluble blood group substance called O (or r). The nature of the association between “B” phosphatase and the O substance is not known.

Atropinesterase and Cocaiesterase of Rabbit Serum: Localization of the Enzyme Activity in Isozymes

Zymograms reveal a multiplicity of esterase isozymes in rabbit serum. Most of the staining activity is concentrated in a region of the gels just anodal to the albumins where six phenotypes (A, AF, F, M, P, and S) are distinguished. The atropinesterase activity is associated with phenotypes A and AF and appears to be restricted to a single isozyme, zone A. Cocainesterase activity is limited to isozyme S, a zone common to all phenotypes except M.

On the “J” Classification of Rabbits and Production of Anti-J in “J-Negative” Rabbits

Summary It is shown that certain antibodies engendered in “J-negative” (or A-negative) rabbits by immunizing with human red cells of type A will selectively lyse red cells of J-positive cattle. Some of the “J” reagents so produced have proved to be either equal to or superior to the better J reagents obtained from J-negative cattle in their ability to promote lysis of the more weakly reactive intergrades of J-positive blood. The key to recognition of these specific cross reactions was substitution of guinea pig complement for rabbit complement. The method of classifying J-positive and J-negative rabbits is described and data are presented on distribution of the J types in 110 rabbits. We are indebted to the Sacramento Medical Foundation Blood Bank for human blood used in this study.

The cell-surface distribution of alloantigens on the bovine erythrocyte

The topographical distribution of genetically defined alloantigens of the bovine erythrocyte was investigated by a serological absorption procedure known as the blocking test. Blocking was observed between the E′1 and Y2 antigens in theB system when these occurred in the same phenogroup. E′1 was also blocked by G and Q′ in the same phenogroup and Y2 was blocked by G. No blocking was observed between specificities residing either in different phenogroups or in different systems. We conclude that the several specificities in a givenB-system phenogroup are carried on a single molecule having multiple antigenic determinants, and that this arrangement is entirely consistent with the hypothesis that these factors are controlled by multiple alleles at a single locus.

THE ATROPINESTERASE-COCAINESTERASE SYSTEM OF ISOZYMES IN RABBITS: DISTRIBUTION OF PHENOTYPES AND THEIR GENETIC ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT . In an earlier note in Science the authors described a multizoned, six-phenotype system of rabbit serum esterases and showed that the atropinesterase and cocainesterase activity of rabbit serum are properties of that system. Phenotypes A and AF exhibited both activities. Phenotypes F, P, and S exhibited cocainesterase activity alone, whereas the serum of rabbits of phenotype M was incapable of hydrolyzing either substrate. Isozyme zone A, found only in phenotypes A and AF, is synonymous with atropinesterase. Isozyme zone S, common to phenotypes A, AF, F, P, and S, but lacking in phenotype M, is synonymous with cocainesterase.

Transient electrophoretic forms of red cell 6PGD in American buffalo (Bison bison) and domestic cattle (Bos taurus).

In a previous report in this journal, Naik and Anderson (1970) described three electrophoretic patterns of red cell 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) in American buffalo (Bison bison). Two of the phenotypes (PdAA and PdBB) were two-zone patterns and the third (PdAB) was composed of three zones. Based on a gene-frequency analysis of the distribution of the three phenotypes in 86 bison samples from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Cache, Oklahoma, they presumed that the three phenotypes are determined by codominant allelic genes, Pd A and Pd ~. In a much larger survey, including samples from 82 bison in the same population studied by Naik and Anderson, we found the bison red cell 6PGD to be monomorphic. Cattle red cell 6PGD is also monornorphic, but it occupies a different electrophoretic position from that of bison 6PGD. In this note we call attention to the oxidative storage effects on blood samples that result in the appearance of transient phenotypic patterns that resemble those described as variant forms of 6PGD in the aforementioned report.

Mosaic Hemoglobin Types in a Pair of Cattle Twins

Erythrocyte mosaicism for hemoglobin types is demonstrated in a pair of dizygotic cattle twins. Both twins were of hemoglobin type AB in the direct tests. However, when hemoglobin types were ascertained on the two populations of red cells comprising the mosaic, one population proved to be hemoglobin type A and the other, type B. Since the ratio of the two populations of red cells was approximately 60:40, there was no evidence from the direct tests suggesting mosaicism for hemoglobin types. The results, as might be expected on theoretical grounds, provide evidence that synthesis of hemoglobin of one type in a mixed clone is not influenced by synthesis of hemoglobin of another type.