Should “Transformed Alpha-fetoprotein” be considered a Potential Biomarker for Adverse Term Pregnancy Risk: An Opinion Letter

Human alpha-fetoprotein (HAFP), classified as a tumor-associated fetal protein, has been reported in the biomedical literature to display multiple molecular forms and complexes. Such forms have been demonstrated to include the following: 1) circulating serum full length HAFP; 2) non-secreted cell-bound cytoplasmic HAFP forms; 3) truncated mRNA expressed/translated forms largely found in cell culture supernatants; and 4) serum circulating inter-molecular complexed forms [1, 2]. Moreover, the native 70 kD circulating serum AFP form has long been employed in the clinic as a “gold standard” biomarker for hepatocellular carcinomas and germ cell tumors in addition to being a biomarker for fetal birth defects.

Electrophoretic spectra and activity of peroxidase in winter plants of different varieties

Aim. To study electrophoretic spectra and activity of peroxidase in seedlings of wheat varieties, which differ in genetically determined characteristics. Methods. Biochemicals using a native gel-electrophoresis and a spectrophotometer. Results. Among the studied varieties, the highest peroxidase activity in seedlings varied winter wheat varieties of Astarta, spruce sparrows Polba Golikovskaya and high-amylose wheat HAW. When comparing the molecular forms of the enzyme, it was found that in the seedlings of the studied varieties there were 8–9 isoforms with peroxidase activity, which differed in relative electrophoretic mobility. Inactive isoforms and isoforms with relatively fast mobility were stable and recorded in all studied varieties. The revealed forms with average electrophoretic mobility were in 90 % of the studied varieties. Conclusions. Electrophoretic spectra of peroxidase in seedlings of the studied varieties differ significantly in number and mobility of its multiple molecular forms. Electrophoretic spectra and activity of peroxidase can be used as diagnostic features for comparative analysis of the studied plants in the early phases of ontogeny. Keywords: peroxidase, electrophoretic spectra, varieties, wheat (Triticum L.).

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoforms in human basophils and mast cells

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) exists as multiple molecular forms. Of the 11 families of PDE identified so far, PDE4, a cAMP-specific PDE, has been identified as the major isoform regulating inflammatory activity. The principle aim of the present study was to determine whether human basophils and human lung mast cells express PDE4. Four sub-classes of PDE4 (A, B, C, and D) have been identified and expression of these was determined by RT-CPR and by western blotting. In basophils, prominent expression of mRNA for PDE4A and PDE4D was observed whereas little if any expression of PDE4B and PDE4C was detected. These findings were paralleled by immunoblotting experiments as human basophils were found to express PDE4A and PDE4D with little evidence for the presence of either PDE4B or PDE4C. By contrast, human lung mast cells expressed very little, if any, mRNA for PDE4 sub-classes although, in some preparations, some modest levels of mRNA for PDE4D were detected. However, there was no evidence, at the protein level, that mast cells express PE4. Overall, these data indicate that basophils express PDE4 (4A and 4D) whereas human lung mast cells do not.

Outstanding questions concerning sperm-epithelial binding in the mammalian oviduct

SummaryPreovulatory binding of viable spermatozoa in the oviduct isthmus is widely accepted as a preliminary to fertilization, but details of physiological events associated with epithelial binding and release from binding are themselves little understood. Important questions include the potential number, distribution and stability of such sites in the caudal isthmus, whether multiple molecular forms of binding exist within a single-mated individual, and whether some sites are more favourable than others for the maintenance of preovulatory sperm viability. Also to be resolved is whether spermatozoa interact with the first available binding sites in the isthmus, whether spermatozoa from second or subsequent matings bind closer to the site of fertilization, and whether the first spermatozoa entering the oviduct are those that will be released first with impending ovulation. Ideally, future research needs to focus on a fertilizing spermatozoon monitored in vivo and not on spermatozoa destined to remain on or in the zona pellucida or in the lower reaches of the oviduct.