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The main polysaccharide of the gel present in the leaves of or Aloe vera Burm.F., (Aloe barbadensis Miller) a xerophytic crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant, is an acetylated glucomannan named acemannan. This polysaccharide is responsible for the succulence of the plant, helping it to retain water. In this study we determined using polysaccharide analysis by carbohydrate gel electrophoresis (PACE) that the acemannan is a glucomannan without galactose side branches. We also investigated the expression of the gene responsible for acemannan backbone synthesis, encoding a glucomannan mannosyltransferase (GMMT, EC 2.4.1.32), since there are no previous reports on GMMT expression under water stress in general and specifically in Aloe vera. It was found by in silico analyses that the GMMT gene belongs to the cellulose synthase-like A type-9 (CSLA9) subfamily. Using RT-qPCR it was found that the expression of GMMT increased significantly in Aloe vera plants subjected to water stress. This expression correlates with an increase of endogenous ABA levels, suggesting that the gene expression could be regulated by ABA. To corroborate this hypothesis, exogenous ABA was applied to non-water-stressed plants, resulting in a significant increase of GMMT expression after 48 h of ABA treatment.

Arne Tiselius' moving boundary electrophoresis method was still in general use in 1951 when this personal history begins, although zonal electrophoresis with a variety of supporting media (e.g., filter paper or starch grains) was beginning to replace it. This chapter is an account of 10 years of experiments carried out by the author during which molecular sieving gel electrophoresis was developed and common genetic variants of two proteins, haptoglobin and transferrin, were discovered in normal individuals. Most of the figures are images of pages from the author's laboratory notebooks, which are still available, so that some of the excitement of the time and the humorous moments are perhaps apparent. Alkaline gels, acidic gels with and without denaturants, vertical gels, two-dimensional gels, and gels with differences in starch concentration are presented. The subtle details that can be discerned in these various gels played an indispensable role in determining the nature of the change in the haptoglobin gene (Hp) that leads to the polymeric series characteristic of Hp ( 2 ) /Hp ( 2 ) homozygotes. Where possible, the names of scientific friends who made this saga of gel electrophoresis so memorable and enjoyable are gratefully included.

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected women according to transferrin (TF) phenotype. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 200 HIV-positive women in the Butare University Teaching Hospital in Rwanda. TF phenotypes were determined using starch gel electrophoresis. Results: Phenotype frequencies of TF CD, CB and CC were 14.5, 3 and 82.5%, respectively. The homozygous TF DD phenotype was not found. Subjects with TF CD phenotype had a significantly higher prevalence of opportunistic infections than subjects with TF CC phenotype, 76 and 52%, respectively (p = 0.026). In logistic regression, there was a significant correlation between TF phenotypes and opportunistic infections (p = 0.012). Subjects with TF CD phenotype had significantly lower values for TF (p = 0.006) than TF CC subjects. Hematological parameters (RBC, RBC indices, hemoglobin, hematocrit, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), iron, ferritin, TF saturation, C-reactive protein and CD4 count did not differ according to TF phenotype. Conclusion: Subjects with TF CC phenotype have a lower prevalence of opportunistic infections. Iron status may play a role in this association.

Widespread destruction of tallgrass prairies in the midwestern United States has fragmented plant communities with the result that populations of endemic animal species have become geographically isolated from one another. The goal of the research summarized here was to evaluate the potential for conserving endemic prairie species of herbivorous insects by managing their host plants. Our study species was the weevil Haplorhynchites aeneus (Boehman), adults of which feed on pollen of plants in the genus Silphium (Asteraceae: Heliantheae). The female weevils clip the peduncles of flower heads and oviposit into the heads, where the larvae feed on the ovules. The research was conducted in 12 prairie sites in eastern Illinois. An allozyme analysis revealed that most populations of H. aeneus at the various prairie sites were genetically differentiated from one another, but the degree of differentiation was not associated with geographic distance between sites. Adult H. aeneus fed and oviposited on the plant species Silphium laciniatum L., S. integrifolium Michx., and S. terebinthinaceum Jacq, which differ in bloom phenology. There was no evidence of genetic differentiation of weevil populations with respect to host plant species, and adult weevils strongly preferred S. terebinthinaceum. We conclude that the oligophagous nature of the weevil assures its survival in small prairie remnants even where some of the host plant species are absent. Although H. aeneus can have a significant impact on reproduction of host plants by clipping flower heads, the perennial nature of Silphium species prevents their local extinction.

An Entamoeba histolytica strain (BF-841 cl1) that originated from Burkina Faso, Africa presented with novel, polymorphic genotypes of the serine-rich E. histolytica protein and the anodic hexokinase-2 (HXK-2) isoenzyme band, which showed less electrophoretic mobility than that of an E. histolytica reference strain [HM-1:IMSS cl6 (zymodeme (Z)-II)] by starch gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing (IEF). The HXK-2 gene of BF-841 cl1 had amino acid variations at four positions compared to the sequence of HM-1: IMSS cl6. These variations were absent from the sequences of four other E. histolytica strains with different zymodemes [KU27 (Z-II), SAW1627 (Z-IIα-), SAW755CR clB (Z-XIV), and KU2 (Z-XIX)]. The results of IEF showed no difference in the substrate specificity of HXK (HXK-1 and HXK-2) between BF-841 cl1 and the three reference E. histolytica strains (HM-1:IMSS cl6, SAW755 clB, and KU27). It was also confirmed that BF-841 cl1 was able to form liver abscesses in Syrian hamsters.

Ips typographus (L.), the eight-spined spruce bark beetle, causes severe damage throughout Eurasian spruce forests and suitable nuclear markers are needed in order to study its population structure on a genetic level. Two closely related genes encoding α-amylase in I. typographus were characterized and named AmyA and AmyB. Both α-amylase paralogs consisted of six exons and five introns. AmyA encodes a polypeptide of 483 amino acids, whereas AmyB has two alternative transcripts encoding polypeptides of 483 and 370 amino acids. The expression levels of both genes were high during larval stage and adulthood. The AmyB transcripts were absent in the pupal stage. A modification of the allozyme staining method allowed us to detect two clusters of bands on the electrophoretic gel that may correspond to the two α-amylase genes. There was a correlation between the lack of AmyB expression in pupa and the absence of the fast migrating isozyme cluster at this stage, suggesting that the faster migrating isoforms are products of the AmyB gene, whereas the slowly migrating bands are derived from the AmyA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The taxonomic status of closely related bumble bee species is often unclear. The relationship between the two nominate taxa, Bombus melanopygus Nylander (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Bombus edwardsii Cresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae), was investigated using genetic (enzyme electrophoretic) and morphometric analyses. The taxa differ in the color of the abdominal terga two and three, being ferruginous in B. melanopygus and black in B. edwardsii. B. edwardsii occurs throughout California, while B. melanopygus extends north through Oregon, to Alaska and Canada. They are sympatric only in southern Oregon and northern California. The taxonomic status of these taxa was questioned when Owen and Plowright (1980) reared colonies from queens collected in the area of sympatry, and discovered that pile coloration was due to a single, biallelic Mendelian gene, with the red (R) allele dominant to the black (r). Here it is shown that all the taxa, whether from California, Oregon, or Alberta, have the same electrophoretic profile and cannot be reliably distinguished by wing morphometrics. This strongly supports the conclusion that B. melanopygus and B. edwardsii are conspecific and should be synonymized under the name B. melanopygus. Hence, there is a gene frequency cline running from north to south, where the red allele is completely replaced by the black allele over a distance of about 600 km.

An attempt was made to follow post mortem changes of human serum esterases. Disappearance of fractions and formation of new ones was demonstrated, using starch gel electrophoresis. It is concluded that proteolytic enzymes may be the cause of these changes.

Cerebrospinal fluid specimens (CSF) from 59 patients with optic neuritis and from 59 age-matched neurological control patients were studied. The patients with optic neuritis showed significantly higher CSF IgG concentrations and a higher frequency of abnormal CSF electrophoresis as compared with the control specimens. Elevated relative IgG values (expressed as percentage of CSF total protein concentration) were noticed in 42%, abnormal electrophoresis in 41%, pleocytosis in 26% and increased total protein concentrations in 29% of CSF specimens from patients with optic neuritis. Thirty patients with an unknown cause of optic neuritis and without any neurological symptoms other than optic neuritis, showed increased relative IgG in 40%, abnormal electrophoresis in 31%, pleocytosis in 33% and increased total protein concentration in 27% of CSF specimens. A reduced serum/CSF albumin ratio was noticed in high frequency in patients with optic neuritis indicating possible blood brain barrier damage. There were, however, 13 patients with optic neuritis and two from the control group with normal serum/CSF albumin ratio but reduced serum/CSF IgG ratio. This finding supports the presumption that part of CSF IgG is produced within the central nervous system (CNS).

With the aim of determining the possible mechanisms of the red cell enzyme deficiencies induced by chemotherapy, deficient red cell glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), pyruvate kinase (PK) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) from 17 patients were purified and characterized. In all cases G-6-PD showed normal kinetics, electrophoretic mobility and thermostability suggesting that a decreased enzyme synthesis was possible for the deficient enzyme activity. In each case studied, at least one of the PK properties was modified, either in affinity for phosphoenol pyruvate, thermal stability or electrophoretic mobility, indicating a primary or secondary molecular abnormality. In some patients PFK had significantly increased affinity for citrate inhibitor; however, neither the quantity nor quality of the M subunits seemed to be altered. Thus it appears that chemotherapy can induce qualitative as well as quantitative red cell enzyme abnormalities by different mechanisms. These are similar to those observed in spontaneous leukaemia and preleukaemic states. Such a similarity poses the question of whether or not the red cell enzyme abnormalities induced by chemotherapy could be considered as the first sign of secondary leukaemia due to treatment by oncostatic drugs.

Summary Transferrin types were determined for flocks of Finnish Landrace, Clun Forest, Soay and Merino sheep and gene frequencies were calculated. Analysis of ratios of transferrin types in segregating matings of Finnish Landrace and Clun Forest revealed a significant excess of heterozygotes in matings of heterozygous rams with heterozygous and with homozygous ewes. In Finnish Landrace, matings of sheep homozygous for Tfc to those heterozygous for TfC gave a significant excess of homozygous male lambs and heterozygous female lambs. Finnish Landrace ewes of transferrin type BD had smaller litters than ewes of other types.

Rabbit transferrin (Tf) was studied electrophoretically using 1141 blood samples from individuals belonging to seven populations (Spanish Common, Spanish Giant, Butterfly, Lyoné de Bourgogne, New Zealand White, Californian and New Zealand White X Californian hybrids). No Tf polymorphism was found by starch gel electrophoresis, but six patterns, differing in the presence and/or intensity of three bands ('a', anodic; 'b', intermediate; and 'c', cathodic) were observed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. No genetic model could explain these patterns, since they reflect differences in plasma Tf iron content. The electrophoretic test allowed a direct observation of the relative in vivo levels of the different Tf molecular species; saturated (band 'a', Fe2Tf); semi-saturated (band 'b', Fe1Tf); and without iron (band 'c' Fe0Tf, apotransferrin). The degree of iron saturation of Tf varied among individuals and throughout the individual's life. Specifically, in pregnant females, Fe2Tf and Fe1Tf are generally observed, except in late pregnancy (from day 25 to parturition), when mainly apotransferrin is observed. Significantly, within 24 h post-partum, high levels of Fe2Tf are reached in the female's serum.

Biochemical variation at 14 blood loci was reviewed, and specific features compared experimentally in sheep Ovis aries, mouflon Ovis musimon, goat Capra hircus, aoudad Ammotragus Iervia and in 2 stillborn aoudad X goat hybrids. Variation at 3 loci was also studied in dall sheep Ovis dalli, bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis and rocky mountain goat Oreamnos americanus. Haemoglobin C production in an anaemic Hb AB mouflon and in mouflon X sheep hybrids was examined. Mouflon differ from domestic sheep in that synthesis of both Hb beta A and Hb beta B chains is switched off during Hb C production. The mouflon X sheep hybrids switched off one or both chains depending on whether they had inherited sheep or mouflon Hb beta chain genes. In general aoudad showed a closer affinity to goats than to sheep.

Summary The polymorphism of bovine serum amylase, which is controlled by the Ami locus, has previously only been demonstrated by starch gel electrophoresis. The addition of maltose to starch gels has been demonstrated to inhibit any subsequent separation of the Ami isozymes by starch gel electrophoresis. When electrophoresis was conducted in a support medium in the absence of starch no polymorphic variation was detected amongst samples from animals of different Ami phenotypes. The addition of starch to agarose gels has been shown to facilitate the subsequent detection of the Ami polymorphism by agarose/starch gel electrophoresis. The electrophoretic resolution of the Ami isozymes has been demonstrated to depend upon differences in affinity for starch rather than differences in net charge. The starch gel electrophoretic separation of the Ami isozymes is. therefore, another example of affinity electrophoresis. All the Ami amylases have been shown to share a common isoelectric point of pH 3.5.

Analysis of elution profiles of enzymatic and CNBr digests of kappa-caseins C and E, and sequencing of most relevant peptides allowed the chemical characterization of both genetic variants. They differ from their B and A allelic counterparts by a single substitution, His97/Arg and Gly155/Ser, respectively. Electrophoretic behaviour of the investigated C and E variants was in good agreement with the observed amino acid replacements.

The possible role of IgG subclasses in patients with M-components or multiple myeloma was investigated. Among 900 patients with monoclonal proteins, the following IgG subclasses were identified: 77 % were IgG1; 14 % were IgG2; 6 % were IgG3; and 3 % were IgG4. The IgG of normal sera consists of 64–70 % IgG1, 23–28 % IgG2, 4–7 % IgG3 and 3–4 % IgG4. IgG1 M-components were seen more frequently and IgG2 less frequently than had been expected. There were 389 patients with documented multiple myeloma assigned to four subgroups based upon IgG sub-classification of their M-components. These four groups resembled each other in many respects, but patients with IgG2 myeloma tended to develop hypercalcaemia and anaemia more frequently than patients with IgG1 or IgG4 myeloma; patients with IgG3 myeloma tended to develop anaemia and had azotaemia more frequently than patients with IgG1 or IgG4 myeloma.

Summary The erythrocyte esterase-D (Es-D) of four European-American pig breeds, two Taiwan native pigs (Taoyuan and Short ear breeds), Philippine native pig and wild boar populations (Sus scrofa riukiuanus) in Japan was investigated by using starch gel electrophoresis. Analysis of parentage records of the pigs revealed that the phenotypic variation of erythrocyte esterase-D was controlled by two codomi-nant alleles Es-DA and Es-DB. The allele Es-Db was mostly found in three European -American pig breeds, Landrace (0.100), Hampshire (0.135) and Duroc (0.102). All of the wild boar populations were monomorphic for allele Es-DA.

Summary Isoenzyme patterns and the polymorphism of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were investigated in 3 fish species of family Cyprinidae, i.e. tench (Tinea tinea), crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and carp (Cyprinus carpio). The isoenzyme patterns were tissue and species specific. In crucian carp subunits with different electro-phoretic mobility are present, which are genetically controlled from the B1, B2, A1, A2and C loci, while the set of loci in carp is B1, B2, A, C1and C2and in tench B, A, C. The locus B of LDH in tench, the locus B2in crucian carp, and the loci B1, C1and C2in carp are polymorphic and have two different alleles in each case. The polymorphism did not affect the total LDH activity in the tissues. All the populations investigated were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The genetic control of the polymorphism in B1and C1loci in carp was proved by test matings. The polymorphism in B loci tested in erythrocytes may be utilized as genetic markers in the fish breeding.

NADH-methaemoglobin reductase deficiency has been found in 4 Cuban families; 3 subjects carried the mild form of the deficiency while in 2 sibs of the fourth family the deficiency was associated with neurological involvement. The parents in this family were consanguinous and the sibs were shown to be homozygous for a new fast electrophoretic variant. It was named Diaphorase Santiago de Cuba.

Summary. Variants of serum transferrin in Japanese wild pig, Sus scrofa leucomystax, and Ryukyu wild pig, S.s. riukiuanus, of Japan were investigated by using starch gel electrophoresis. Five phenotypes, TfB, BC, C, CX and X, were observed, of which two, TfCX and X, are new variants. Comparison of gene frequency estimates which were calculated for each population showed remarkable geographic differences among several populations of these two subspecies.

Summary Evidence is presented for the occurrence of a second allele in the albumin system of the donkey (Equus asinus). Samples were collected from 127 feral donkeys in four locations within the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley National Monument, California. A common phenotype, electrophoretically characterized by a single band, was recorded from all four locations. A rare, double-band phenotype was recorded from two locations.

Summary Transferrin phenotypes were determined in six breeds of sheep by starch gel electrophoresis. Two new variants, Tf HCzech and Tf KCzech, were found and some evidence of their genetic control was obtained. Tf HCzeeh was detected only in Sumava sheep; it has an intermediate mobility between Tf A and Tf B. Tf KCzech was found only in Tsigais; it was localized between Tf B and Tf C. The frequencies of corresponding alleles were very low. Individual transferrin variants (I, A, HCzech, B, Kczech, C, D, E, and P) were treated with neuraminidase. Electrophoretic mobility of the strong band was decreased by two steps in each case. It suggests that in the strong Tf band two sialic acid residues are accessible to the enzyme.

Red cell carbonic anhydrase (Ca) types were investigated in 750 animals from three zebu, two exotic and three crossbred breeds. A Ca isozyme of slower mobility than the S isozyme was observed in four Sahiwal animals. The gene frequency of CaS, which was the predominant allele in all the breeds investigated ranged from 0.88 to 1.0.

Summary By means of starch gel electrophoresis the polymorphism of the phospoglucomutase isozymes PGMi has been investigated in cattle leucocytes. The phenotypes and allele frequencies of PGMi are demonstrated in a series of 106 complete and 221 incomplete families of ‘Deutsche Schwarzbunte’. The segregation of the 327 daughters' phenotypes agree with the formal genetic model of 2 codominant autosomal alleles. The observed heterozygous PGMi type is more frequent in mating types and progenies as expected under equilibrium.

Summary After separation of three epididymal acid phosphatases their biochemical properties were differently studied. With appropriate substrate and inhibitor selection the distribution of the enzymes in different segments as well as the subcellular fractions of the rat epididymis was also demonstrated. The same biochemical differences were also utilized in the histochemical localization of the enzymes. It was found that Enzyme I had a pH-optimum at 5.0, a molecular weight of 97 000 and Km-constant of 0.901 mM. It was highly sensitive to tartrate and fluoride and it was localized in lysosomes as well as in the epididymal spermatozoa. Enzyme II had an optimum at pH 5.7, a molecular weight of 67 000 and Km-constant of 0.806 mM. It was also inhibited by fluoride but more resistant to tartrate. Its subcellular site was also particulate, but it was also found in the epididymal fluid. Enzyme III had an optimum at pH 5.2, a molecular weight of 135 000 and Km-constant of 0.685 mM. It was resistant to low concentrations of fluoride and tartrate but sensitive to heavy metal ions. The enzyme was soluble and it behaved incoherently in thermal inactivation. All enzymes revealed the highest activity in the thin middle segments of the epididymis. Histochemically naphthol substrates gave a diffuse reaction in the epididymal epithelial cells. With the lead salt methods glycerophosphates and p-nitrophenylphosphate gave somewhat different results depending on their specificity as substrates for the epididymal enzymes. Both substrates gave a strong reaction supranuclearly in the Golgi area of the chief cells. This activity was inhibited by tartrate and was most probably due to Enzyme I. The epididymal corpus and cauda showed additionally a very strong apical activity in the chief cells with p-nitrophenylphosphate. This activity was resistant to tartrate but sensitive to fluoride. It was concluded that this enzyme represents Enzyme II activity. Similar activity was also found in the dissolving “holocrine” cells of the corpus and the cauda. The activity of the soluble Enzyme III could not be revealed with the present methods and the spermatozoa in the tubular lumina remained unstained. Zusammenfassung Nach Trennung der drei sauren Phosphatasen des Nebenhodens wurden ihre bioche-mischen Eigenschaften untersucht. Enzym I hat ein pH-Optimum bei 5.0, ein Mol. Gewicht von 97 000 und eine Km-Konstante von 0.901 mM. Das Enzym ist hoch sensibel gegenuber Tartrat und Fluorid; es wurde sowohl in den Lysosomen als auch in den Nebenhodenspermatozoen lokali-siert. Enzym II hat ein pH-Optimum bei 5.7, ein Mol. Gewicht von 67 000 und eine Km-Konstante von 0.806 mM. Es wird gehemmt durch Fluorid, ist aber resistenter gegen-uber Tartrat. Sein subzellularer Platz ist auch in Zellpartikeln und es wurde auch in der Nebenhodenflussigkeit gefunden. Enzym III hat ein pH-Optimum bei 5.2, ein Mol. Gewicht von 135 000 und eine Km-Konstante von 0.685 mM. Es ist resistent gegenuber niederigen Konzentrationen von Fluorid und Tartrat, aber sensibel gegenuber Schwermetallionen. Das Enzym ist loslich und verhalt sich uneinheitlich bei thermischer Inaktivierung. Alle Enzyme zeigten die hochste Aktivitat in den schmalen Mittelsegmenten des Nebenhodens. Histochemisch geben Naphtholsubstrate eine diffuse Reaktion in den Epithelien des Nebenhodens. Mittels der Bleisalzmethoden zeigten die Glycerophosphate und p-Nitro-phenylphosphate ziemlich differente Resultate abhangig von ihrer Spezifitat als Substrate fur die Nebenhoden-Enzyme. Beide Substrate gaben eine starke Reaktion supra-nuklear im Golgi-Apparat der Hauptzellen. Diese Aktivitat wurde durch Tartrat gehemmt und ist wahrscheinlich dem Enzym I zuzuschreiben. Nebenhoden-Korpus und -Cauda zeigten zusatzlich eine starke apikale Aktivitat in den Hauptzellen mit p-Nitro-phenylphosphat. Diese Aktivitat war resistent gegenuber Tartrat aber sensibel gegen Fluorid. Die Autoren ziehen die Schlusfolgerung, das dieses Enzym die Aktivitat von Enzym II darstellt. Eine ahnliche Aktivitat wurde nachgewiesen in den sich auflosenden holokrinen Zellen des Korpus und der Cauda. Die Aktivitat des loslichen Enzyms III konnte nicht dargestellt werden mit den verwendeten Methoden; die Spermatozoen in den Tubusluslumen blieben ungefarbt.

Summary Genetic polymorphism of glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) was found in the erythrocytes of dogs of six Japanese breeds by using starch gel electrophoresis. Analysis of parentage records of dogs revealed that the phenotypic variation of erythrocyte glucose phosphate isomerase was controlled by one autosomal locus with two codominant alleles, GPIAand GPIB. The allele GPIBwas observed in the following breeds: San'in-Shiba, Shinshu-Shiba, Shikoku, Kai and Kishu, but not in Hokkaidoes and Akitas. All the dogs belonging to 25 European breeds, 5 oriental or China-origin (except Japan) breeds examined in this experiments had the genotype constitution GPIA/GPIA, whereas one Dalmation dog was heterozygous GPIA/GPIB.

Summary Starch gel electrophoresis of 55 donkey serum samples revealed three prealbumin (Pr) phenotypes temporarily designated PrM, PrMT and PrT. The distribution was in agreement with a genetic theory of two codominant alleles of frequencies, PrM= 0.87 and PrT= 0.13. Variation was also observed for proteins migrating with the same rate as the Xh zones in the horse.

Summary In fresh red cell haemolysates from Labrador retriever dogs three acid phosphatase (Pac) phenotypes were found by starch gel electrophoresis. Family data were consistent with the theory that the Pac phenotypes are controlled by two codominant, autosomal alleles, designated PacF and PacS.

A new case of glucosephosphate isomerase deficiency with mild haemolytic anaemia was observed in a 6-year-old girl. Deficient enzyme was characterized by a profoundly decreased activity in the red cells, a normal electrophoretic phenotype, normal isoelectric point, normal optimum pH, a molecular instability and a clearly decreased Michaelis constant for fructose-6-phosphate. Propositus was double heterozygote for a 'silent gene' inherited from the mother and an abnormal enzyme from the father. Because this abnormal enzyme has undescribed characteristics, it responds to a new variant for which we propose the name GPI-MYTHO.

Summary The electrophoretic pattern of the loach muscle adenylate kinase was composed of one or two major bands. Each major band was preceded by two minor bands. Three codominant alleles were postulated to segregate in loach. Each allele coded for one major band with different mobility. Adenylate kinase (AK. E.C. 2.7.4.3.) catalyses the reaction 2ADP ATP + AMP. and is known as a heat stable protein constituent of skeletal muscle. Electrophoretic variation of AK has been reported in the pika Ochotona r. rufescens (Vergnes et al. 1974). the teleostean fish Zoarces viviparus (Frydenberg & Si-monsen, 1973), the mussel Mvtilus edulis (Ahmad et al. 1977). and the tunicate Ciona intestinalis (Schmidtke & Engel. 1980). In this note, individual variation of AK in muscle extracts of the fresh-water fish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus is described. Loach were collected in ponds or purchased from fish shops (Table 1 & Fig. 1). Three populations (OS. AS and KN) were purchased from fish shops in Osaka. Akashi and Kanazawa cities, respectively. Their exact sampling locations were not known. For reference, the locations of these cities are indicated by an open circle in Fig. i. Fish were collected and stored frozen at – 20 oC at the sampling time given in Table 1. Muscle extracts were prepared and examined in the period February-April 1981.The method for preparing muscle extract and-the starch gel electrophoretic procedures were the same as those reported previously (Kimura, 1976). The amine-citrate buffer system as described by Clayton & Tretiak (1972) was used. AK was stained by the method of Allendorf et al. (1977). After electrophoresis, an inhibition test was also performed by immersing the gel in 10-3M 5.5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) solution for 30 minutes at room temperature. Under the electrophoretic condition used in the present study, all of the AK

Summary An unusual variant, Tf Aw, has been found in sheep transferrins. Its position in starch gel electrophoresis is identical with the variant Tf A, but the intensity of corresponding bands is substantially lower. Family analyses prove that the variant Aw is genetically controlled and represents either the product of an unusual allele Tf Aw or the interaction between the allele Tf A and a hypothetical modifying locus.

A canine blood group antigen, QN, which was detected by a naturally occurring alloantibody in the antiglobulin test, was shown to be antigenically related to the human A and cattle J antigens by absorption experiments. Family studies supported a dominant mode of inheritance with the gene controlling the production of QN being dominant to the gene responsible for its absence. Frequencies of the QN and Tr antigens and serological data strongly suggested that the two antigens are identical. Two canine plasma alkaline phosphatase variants, F and S, were detected by starch gel electrophoresis, pH 8.65. Assuming genetic control of two codominant alleles, ALPF and ALPS, the distributions of types in families differed significantly from expectation. A relationship between the ALP and Tr(QN) systems was demonstrated with Tr-positive animals having a significant deficiency of S alkaline phosphatase types.

Data are presented of a Turkish family in whom Hb D and alfa-thalassaemia were present. Hb D was identified as Hb D Punjab by amino acid analysis. The propositus had a combination of Hb D Punjab and alfa-thalassaemia disease and suffered from a rather severe anaemia, therefore, a possibility of hypersplenism in addition to hereditary haemoglobin defects was considered.

EF Bart's disease is an uncommon form of thalassaemia intermedia resulting from the co-inheritance of alpha-thalassaemia and haemoglobin E in the same subject. Starch-gel electrophoresis revealed two phenotypes in 19 patients with EF Bart's. 16 patients had Hbs CS + E + F + Bart's and the remainder had Hbs E + F + Bart's. DNA mapping and haemoglobin electrophoresis indicated that there are four genotypes, involving 5 abnormal globin genes, responsible for this thalassaemia syndrome.

Summary An electrophoretic mobility variant of a protein band anodal to haemoglobin in alkaline starch gels was found in wild house mouse populations in South Australia. Most wild mice and all inbred lines examined are homozygous for the Erp-1a allele at the locus controlling this variation. The rare allele Erp-1b, which has a frequency of about 1% in South Australia, produces a protein band of slower mobility in alkaline gels. Homozygotes show one protein band whilst the heterozygote has three bands. The Erp-1 protein does not appear to be haemoglobin or carbonic anhydrase. The Erp-1 locus is closely linked to Es-1 on chromosome 8 with a recombination fraction of 6.04 ± 1.32%.

Summary Three phenotypes of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) from the Japanese quail erythrocytes were observed by horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Population and family data from one laboratory population of quail was consistent with the theory that PGI polymorphism was controlled by two codominant, autosomal alleles designated PGIF and PGIS with gene frequency values 0.25 and 0.75, respectively. The study supported the earlier view that the Japanese quail is highly polymorphic with regard to biochemical variation.

Serum leukaemia-associated antigen (LAA) is identified as an oncofetal antigen (or antigens) since it is present in fetal liver and in amniotic fluid. Although it is mainly found in patients with proliferative haematological disorders, particularly acute leukaemias and chronic myelogenous leukaemia, LAA is occasionally present in sera from healthy people. In protein fractionation experiments, LAA behaves as a distinct population of molecules and has the characteristics of an alpha2-beta-globulin, not carrying any lipids. The origin of LAA in haematological disorders is unknown. Its presence does not correlate with high white blood cell count, although antibody to LAA has been raised in animals injected with blast cells from leukaemia patients. LAA is distinct from alpha-fetoprotein, and we have observed a reaction of immunological non-identity between LAA and ferritin. This is of considerable interest since ferritin has been reported to be immunologically closely related to alpha2H-globulin which may occur in the same categories of patients as LAA. It is preliminary concluded that LAA as defined by our antisera may be different from alpha2H-globulin and ferritin.

Summary 1 Twenty-six strains of mice were surveyed by starch gel electrophoresis for genetic variation of four liver enzymes; aldehyde dehydrogenase, aldehyde oxidase, xanthine oxidase and formaldehyde dehydrogenase. 2 A variant of aldehyde dehydrogenase was found in strains ICFW, IS/Cam, NZB, NZW, Simpson and Schneider. A variant of aldehyde oxidase was found in CE. A possible variant of xanthine oxidase was found in SF/Cam. 3 The gene determining the electrophoretic variant of aldehyde oxidase is either the same as, or very closely linked to, the Aox gene which determines aldehyde oxidase activity.

Summary The polymorphism of five enzyme loci (amylase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, for 4-week body weight was compared to that of the unselected control line (C). for 4 week body weight was compared to that of the unselected control line (C). Three loci in the C line and two in the P line demonstrated polymorphism. Plasma amylase was separated into six bands and zymograms were classified on the basis of these bands into nine phenotypes. Three of the nine types were of relatively high activity and six were of relatively low activity. All nine types were found in the C line, whereas, all birds of the P line had only the most active type. Two alkaline phosphatase alleles (Akp-2B and Akp-2C) were segregating in the C line. Gene frequencies of alkaline phosphatase for the Akp-2B allele were 0.92 in the C line and 1.00 in the P line. Two albumin alleles (AlbQ1 and AlbQ2) were segregating in both populations. Gene frequencies for the AlbQ1 allele were 0.74 in the C line and 0.81 in the P line. Two red cell esterase-D alleles (Es-DF and Es-Ds) were segregating in both populations. The gene frequency for the Es-Ds allele (0.61) was higher than that of the Es-DF allele in the C line. In the P line the frequency of the Es-DF allele was higher than that of the Es-Ds allele. Heterozygosities of the C and P lines were estimated as 0.2258 and 0.1560 respectively. The relative inbreeding coefficient of the P line, calculated from heterozygosities was 0.31.

Genetic variation in a phosphoglucomutase, a phosphoglucose isomerase and an esterase system is described in Aricia artaxerxes F. The variation is controlled by codominant alleles at autosomal loci. No linkage has been found between the three loci.

The isozyme patterns of 13 enzymes in the land snails Cepaea nemoralis, C. hortensis and Arianta arbustorum were studied by means of starch-gel electrophoresis. With the methods employed 8 of the enzymes were found suitable for analysis. Among these, all but one showed differences between at least 2 of the species. Two enzymes, viz. malate dehydrogenase and esterase, in addition had intraspecific polymorphism in 2 and 3 species respectively.

Ten enzymes from the two sibling species Thera obeliscata and T. variata were compared by means of starch gel electrophoresis. Only one enzyme indicated an absolute interspecific difference, whereas interspecific differences in allele composition of two allelomorphic enzymes were established. The allozyme variation of phosphoglucomutase and phosphoglucose isomerase in three populations of Thera obeliscata was analysed. No differences between the populations were found. In Thera variata only phosphoglucomutase shows allozyme variation. This was analysed in 12 populations. A diffuse geographic as well as a year to year pattern of variation was revealed. The year to year variation is explained as due to selection against the Pgm- 3,5 heterozygote, since this type has been found in deficit compared to Hardy-Weinberg ratios in all samples.

The genic variability at twenty loci in marginal, submarginal and central populations of Drosophila subobscura has been studied by starch gel electrophoresis. The samples from marginal populations orginate from Finland, the submarginal ones from Sweden and Denmark, whereas flies collected from France and northeastern Italy are taken to represent central populations. The average degrees of genic polymorphism are undifferentiated over the distribution area of D. subobscura. Most loci have fairly uniform allele frequencies in all populations. Local differences have been found at six loci. These fluctuations represent adaptations to local environmental differences.

Large differences in certain morphological traits between populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in the lakes of northern Sweden led us to initiate an electrophoretic examination in an effort to understand the genetic structure of these populations. A total of 549 brown trout from four lakes were examined at 10 electrophoretically detected loci. Genetic variation was found at only three loci, coding for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (AGP), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). A total absence of heterozygotes at the LDH-1 locus in Lake Bunnersjoarna, coupled with significant correlations between LDH-1 type and both CPK-1 allele frequencies and body size, is interpreted as evidence of two genetically isolated populations of brown trout in this lake. This finding, in addition to large allele frequency differences between brown trout from different lakes, is evidence of a large amount of genetic differentiation in these populations within a small geographical area. The implications of these results are discussed from both an evolutionary and a fishery management perspective. Further studies are planned to determine if these two sympatric populations are representatives of two widespread sibling species or are a locally evolved phenomenon. We also intend to detail the biochemical genetic, behavioral, and ecological differences between the two distinct populations in Lake Bunnersjoarna.