Edward Albert Munn

Purification and evaluation of the integral membrane protein H11 as a protective antigen against Haemonchus contorus

A detergent extract of adult Haemonchus contortus enriched in the integral membrane protein H11, previously shown to give protective immunity against the parasite, was fractionated by lectin and ion-exchange chromatography. The fractions were evaluated for their ability to immunize Clun Forest and Dorset Horn sheep against experimental haemonchosis. Most of the protective activity was associated with H11. Used in an approximately 95% pure form it gave a mean reduction in parasite egg output of 94.6% and reduced male and female worm numbers by 86.5 and 93.5%, respectively. Level of protection correlated with serum antibody titre to H11.

The potential value of integral membrane proteins in the vaccination of lambs against Haemonchus conortus

An extract of adult Haemonchus contortus enriched in the parasites intestinal microvillar membrane protein H11 and other integral membrane proteins but free of the protein contortin was evaluated as a potential vaccine in two breeds of sheep. The worm burdens of Clun Forest sheep injected with the extract and challenged with 25,000 infective larvae were reduced 89% by weight compared to the average for the controls. The worm burdens of Dorset sheep (challenged with 10,000 infective larvae) were reduced 72%. In both breeds the reduction in the number of female worms, 92 and 71.8%, respectively, was greater than the reduction in the males (86.5 and 46%). Parasite egg output, determined only for the Dorsets, was reduced 92% protection correlated with serum antibody titre. Most of the antibodies were directed against H11.

Neocallimastix patriciarum sp.nov., a new member of the Neocallimasticaceae inhabiting the rumen of sheep

A new member of the Neocallimasticaceae (Spizellomycetales), Neocallimastix patriciarum n. sp. is described from the ovine rumen. The species is an anaerobe similar to N. frontalis , but the zoospores possess 9–17 flagella, have no equatorial constriction and the intracellular organelles are uniformly distributed. Major fermentation products from carbohydrates are lactate, acetate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. N. patriciarum requires biotin, thiamin and haem for growth, and ferments a wide range of structural and non-structural plant carbohydrates.

The ultrastructure and possible relationships of four obligate anaerobic chytridiomycete fungi from the rumen of sheep.

Zoospores and vegetative growth phases of three cellulolytic rumen chytridiiomycetes, Piromonas, Sphaeromonas and NF1 have been examined by electron microscopy and compared with published and new data on Neocallimastix. The four genera have some 16 distinctive ultrastructural features in common, which collectively may be used to define the group. Some of the common features may individually be sufficient to distinguish these obligate anaerobes from facultative and aerobic chytridiomycetes. These features are the presence of hydrogenosomes at all stages of the life cycle, the presence in rhizoids and sporangia of characteristic crystals coated with hexagonal arrays of particles, and in zoospores the presence of distinct surface layers on the motility organelles and cell body respectively, the organization of the ribosomes into helical and globular arrays and the structures associated with the kinetosomes.

Unusual molecular weight forms of n-Acetyl-β-d-Hexosaminidase From intestinal mucosa of newborn pigs

1. 1. N-acetyl-β-d-hexosaminidase(EC 3.2.1.30) active against both p-nitrophenyl-β-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranoside and p-nit the intestinal mucosa of newborn piglets. 2. 2. The activity obtained in soluble form from homogenates prepared in various buffered media was separated by gel nitration into up to four distinct sizes with apparent molecular weights of about 15,000, 160,000, 250,000 and 500,000. 3. 3. All sizes were active against both substrates and had similar kinetic properties. 4. 4. The relative proportion of each size varied between individual piglets and was determined in part by the composition of the isolation media.