Kirk C. Hoerman

Lysozyme: its characteristics in human parotid and submaxillo-lingual saliva.

Summary 1. Lysozyme titers in secretions of the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands were found to be substantially higher than those in the parotid gland secretions. 2. Parotid saliva lysozyme titers were variable. Means of the groups tested were considered equivocal. 3. A component of submaxillo-lingual saliva, isolated as the “mucopolysaccharide” group, exerted marked inhibition upon lysozyme activity in parotid saliva. This inhibition was probably competitive in nature. The opinions or assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Department of the Navy, or the Naval Service at large.Summary1. Lysozyme titers in secretions of the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands were found to be substantially higher than those in the parotid gland secretions. 2. Parotid saliva lysozy...

Some Quantum Aspects of the Protein Intermolecular Interfaces in Connective Tissue

Ultraviolet light-induced phosphorescence of collagen and globular protein in connective tissue was analyzed by spectral and kinetic studies. Computer resolution of the lifetimes of phosphorescent excited states of each protein, and their contribution to total luminous flux at zero time, constituted a means of simultaneous assessment of protein changes in cartilage, because of age, and because of regrowth of transplanted bone.

Improved Starch-Gel Electrophoretic Resolution of Parotid-Fluid Protein

In earlier investigations the electrophoretic resolution of parotid-fluid protein in starch gel at alkaline pH was affected by amylatic action in the medium (K. C. Hoerman and V. J. Berzinskas, J. Lab. Clin. Med., 53: 64, 1959). Although satisfactory comparisons with boundary electrophoretic patterns could be made, the major drawback of the procedure was that the physical properties of the gels after electrophoresis were poor and handling became tedious. Notwithstanding, starch-gel supports are considered superior to all other solid media used in zone electrophoresis (0. Smithies, Advances in Protein Chem., 14:65. 1959). We have now developed a starch-gel system free of the limiting action of parotid amylase and in which the intrinsic and probable extrinsic protein fractions of parotid protein may be clearly resolved.