J. C. Ellory

The identification of ornithine and lysine at high concentrations in the red cells of sheep with an inherited deficiency of glutathione

Abstract Red cells from Finnish Landrace sheep with an inherited deficiency of reduced glutathione were found to contain high concentrations of ornithine (5.3 ± 0.8 mmoles/l packed cells) and lysine (7.8 ± 1.0 mmoles/l packed cells), in contrast to red cells from normal individuals where the concentrations were 0.20 ± 0.08, and 0.28 ± 0.11 mmole/l packed cells, respectively. Red cells from Merino sheep with low glutathione levels showed no significant concentrations of these amino acids.

Active potassium transport and the L and M antigens of sheep and coat red cells

Abstract 1. 1. Active K + transport and the distribution of the L and M antigens have been investigated in sheep and goat red cells. 2. 2. Low K − (LK) type goat red cells have a significantly lower rate of active K + uptake than high K + (HK) type cells. Active K + transport and the associated (Na + - K + -activated ATPase activity in LK goat red cells was stimulated 1.5-8-fold by sensitization with sheep anti-L, even though the presence of this antibody could not be detected by complement lysis. 3. 3. Ether and acid eluates of anti-L from sensitized goat and sheep red cells haemolysed sheep but not goat red cells and stimulated active K + transport in both goat and sheep red cells. There was no apparent correlation between the presence of the M antigen and K + types in goats as there is in sheep. 4. 4. It is suggested that there may be two specificities of L substance, one associated specifically with the K + pump in sheep and goat red cells and not readily detectable serologically, and the other, found only on sheep red cells which may or may not be associated with the pump but which is easily detected by haemolytic tests.

The Number and Specificity of L Antigen Sites on Low Potassium Type Sheep Red Cells

Pig anti-sheep IgG conjugated, to haemocyanin was used as a marker to visualize by electron microscopy the L and. M antigen sites on sheep red cells. The number of sites seen correlated well with the results of serological and potassium transport studies and supported the concept that there are qualitative as well as quantitative differences in the expression of L antigen on the membrane of LK type cells. A tentative estimate of 340 Lp sites on homozygous LK and 120 on heterozygous LK cells was made.

Determinations of amino acid, cation and reduced glutathione levels in the red cells of Awassi sheep (Ovis Aries)

Abstract 1. 1. Analysis of Na and K in red cells from 126 Awassi sheep revealed 15 individuals with a lowered total concentration of Na + K. 2. 2. These low (Na +K) red cells were found to contain high concentrations of amino acids, and to have a low reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration. 3. 3. Red cells from other GSH-low type Awassi sheep were found to contain normal (Na + K) levels and no significant concentrations of amino acids.