Biological and Molecular Variability Among High Plains virus Isolates.

The High Plains virus (HPV), vectored by the wheat curl mite (WCM) (Aceria tosichella), causes a severe disease of maize (Zea mays) in the U. S. High Plains. In the present study, five HPV isolates from five states were separated from co-infecting Wheat streak mosaic virus and their molecular and biological variability studied. Molecular studies involved time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) to determine amino acid sequence variability of the 32-kDa nucleoprotein (32 np) of the isolates. Biological studies involved testing the ability of the five HPV isolates to infect a maize line previously shown to have resistance. Inoculations of the HPV isolates were conducted using vascular puncture inoculation (VPI) and viruliferous WCM. TOFMS analyses demonstrated an 18-amino acid sequence in the isolates at the N-terminus of the 32 np, the presence of amino acid sequence differences among the isolates, and variability among amino acid sequences of the 32 np of some isolates. Three of the five HPV isolates infected the resistant maize inbred, B73, using VPI, and two of the same three HPV isolates infected this line using WCM inoculation, albeit low numbers of plants were infected by each technique.

Maize fine streak virus, a New Leafhopper-Transmitted Rhabdovirus.

ABSTRACT A previously uncharacterized virus was isolated from fall-planted sweet corn (Zea mays L., Syngenta GSS 0966) leaves showing fine chlorotic streaks. Symptomatic plants were negative in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against many maize viruses, but reacted weakly with antisera to Sorghum stunt mosaic virus suggesting a distant relationship between the viruses. The virus was readily transmitted by vascular puncture inoculation (VPI), but not by leaf-rub inoculation. Symptoms on maize included dwarfing and fine chlorotic streaks along intermediate and small veins that developed 12 to 17 days post-VPI. The isolated virus was bacilliform (231 +/- 5 nm long and 71 +/- 2 nm wide), with a knobby surface, and obvious helical structure typical of rhabdovirus morphology. Nucleorhabdovirus virions were observed by transmission electron microscopy of infected maize leaf tissue sections. Proteins unique to infected plants were observed in extracts of infected leaves, and the isolated virion contained three proteins with molecular masses 82 +/- 2, 50 +/- 3, and 32 +/- 2 kDa. Preliminary sequence analysis indicated the virus had similarity to members of the family Rhabdoviridae. The virus was transmitted by Graminella nigrifrons under persistent conditions. The data indicate the virus, provisionally designated Maize fine streak virus, is a new species in the genus Nucleorhabdovirus.

Differential Transmission of Isolates of the High Plains virus by Different Sources of Wheat Curl Mites.

High Plains virus (HPV) isolates from Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Texas, and Utah were serologically related, had similar relative molecular masses (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) for the 32-kDa diagnostic HPV protein, and were transmissible and maintained free of Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) by vascular puncture inoculation. Collections of wheat curl mites (Aceria tosichella Keifer; WCM) from Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Texas differentially transmitted these isolates. For collections from South Dakota and Texas, little or no HPV transmission occurred, whereas WCM from Nebraska and Montana transmitted all five isolates. The collection from Kansas mostly transmitted only one HPV isolate. Aviruliferous or viruliferous WSMV Nebraska WCM transmitted HPV at similar rates and aviruliferous Montana WCM transmitted HPV at lower levels than viruliferous Montana WCM.

Transmission of viral RNA and DNA to maize kernels by vascular puncture inoculation.

Vascular puncture inoculation (VPI) is an effective technique for transmission of maize viruses without using arthropods or other biological vectors. It involves using a jeweler's engraving tool to push minuten pins through a droplet of virus inoculum toward the major vascular bundle in the scutellum of germinating kernels. Here, VPI is shown to be useful for introducing RNA and DNA viral genomes into maize. Maize dwarf mosaic potyvirus (MDMV) virions, MDMV genomic RNA, foxtail mosaic potexvirus (FoMV) genomic RNA and maize streak geminivirus (MSV) DNA were introduced into kernels by VPI, and infection rates determined. At high concentrations, both MDMV virion and genomic RNA preparations produced 100% infection of susceptible maize. However, MDMV genomic RNA was transmitted with about 100-fold lower efficiency than virions. FoMV genomic RNA and MSV DNA were transmitted at lower efficiency than the MDMV RNA, and the highest transmission rates were about 50%. Ribonuclease A pretreatment prevented genomic MDMV and FoMV RNA transmission, but not MDMV virion transmission indicating the viral RNA was the infectious entity. Proteinase K (ProK) pretreatment reduced transmission of MDMV RNA suggesting that integrity of the viral genomic protein bound covalently to the viral RNA may be important for efficient transmission.

First Report of Bean pod mottle virus in Soybean in Ohio.

Soybean has been increasing in importance and acreage over wheat and corn for the past decade in Ohio and is now planted on 4.5 million acres. Previous surveys in Ohio of viruses infecting soybean failed to identify Bean pod mottle virus (BPMV) and soybean virus diseases have rarely caused economic losses (1). During 1999, producers in Ohio noticed virus-like symptoms in soybeans in a few isolated locations. Soybeans with green stems, undersized and "turned up pods" were collected from Union, Wood and Wyandot Counties during October 1999 and soybeans with crinkled, mottled leaves were collected in Henry, Licking and Sandusky during August 2000. Five to six plants were collected from a single field from each county each year. In 1999, samples were sent to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where one symptomatic leaflet/sample was ground in 3 ml of chilled phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.2). Leaf sap was placed in 1.5-ml centrifuge tubes and stored at 4°C for 24 h. Sap was assayed for the presence of BPMV using an alkaline phosphatase-labeled double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS ELISA) for BPMV (AgDia Inc., Elkhart, IN). All samples tested were positive for BPMV. Samples collected in 1999 were also maintained at The Ohio State University in Harosoy soybean and in 2000 assayed serologically along with samples collected in 2000 for BPMV and Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) by ELISA and for Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV) and Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) by a host-range symptom assay; SMV, BYMV and TRSV had been identified from soybean in previous Ohio surveys. Soybean leaf samples were assayed using F(ab')2-Protein A ELISA with antiserum prepared in 1968 to a southern U.S. isolate of BPMV and to an Ohio isolate of Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) prepared in 1967, both stored at -20°C. Diseased and non-symptomatic soybean leaf samples were ground in 4 ml 0.025M Tris pH 8.0, 0.015M NaCl and 0.05% Tween 20. Extracts were tested for BPMV and SMV by ELISA following a protocol described elsewhere (2). All of the samples collected during 1999 and maintained in the greenhouse tested positive for both BPMV and SMV while all of those samples collected during 2000 tested positive for BPMV and negative for SMV. Host-range symptom assays were conducted with leaf extracts prepared by grinding 1 g tissue:10 ml potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. Extracts were inoculated by leaf rub method to Harosoy soybean, Phaseolus vulgaris cvs. Red Kidney and Bountiful, cowpea, and cucumber. The host-range symptom assays of both the 1999 and 2000 samples were negative for TRSV and BYMV; cowpea failed to express local lesions and cucumber systemic mosaic characteristic of TRSV infection and the two Phaseolus cultivars the yellow mosaic characteristic of BYMV infection. These results indicate that both BPMV and SMV were present in the samples in 1999 but only BPMV in 2000. The distribution of BPMV within Ohio and economic impact of this virus have yet to be determined. This is the first report of BPMV in Ohio. References: (1) A. F. Schmitthenner and D. T. Gordon. Phytopathology 59:1048, 1969. (2) R. Louie et al. Plant Dis. 84:1133-1139, 2000.

Maize necrotic streak virus, a New Maize Virus with Similarity to Species of the Family Tombusviridae.

A new virus was isolated from maize (Zea mays L.) leaves showing mild mosaic symptoms and coinfected with Maize dwarf mosaic virus. The virus was readily transmitted by vascular puncture inoculation (VPI) but not leaf-rub inoculation. Virus symptoms on susceptible maize included pale green, yellow, or cream-colored spots and streaks measuring 1 to 2 mm on emerging leaves 5 to 7 days post-VPI. As leaves developed, the spots and streaks became spindle-shaped, then coalesced into long, chlorotic bands. These bands became translucent and necrotic around the edges. There was a distinctive chlorosis on the stalks that became necrotic. Based on these distinctive symptoms, the new virus was named Maize necrotic streak virus (MNeSV). The virus was not transmitted by Aphis maidis-radicus, Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae, Rhopalosiphum padi, Dalbulus maidis, Graminella nigrifrons, Perigrinus maidis, or Diabrotica virgifera virgifera under persistent or nonpersistent conditions. Both susceptible and resistant maize genotypes were identified following VPI with MNeSV. The isolated virus had isometric (32 nm) virions and a single 29.5-kDa coat protein. MNeSV was serologically distinct from morphologically similar maize viruses. The 4.3-kb single-stranded RNA genome had 25 to 53% sequence identity with species in the family Tombusviridae.

59Fe is retained from an elemental 59Fe powder supplement without effects on 65Zinc, 47Calcium and 67Copper in young pigs.

In vivo counting with the use of a germanium detector evaluated the retention of an elemental 59Fe powder supplement while measuring potential interactions with zinc, calcium and copper. Effects of dietary iron and zinc on in vivo retentions of 59Fe, 65Zn, 67Cu and 47Ca were studied in young pigs. In Experiment 1, 4-d-old piglets fed a cereal-based diet were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups (2 x 2 factorial arrangement, n = 5 per group). Variables were dietary iron source (either elemental iron or FeSO4, each at 100 mg iron/kg diet) and the dosage form of radioactive iron (either elemental 59Fe powder or 59FeSO4). Experiment 2 (2 x 3 factorial arrangement) was performed using two levels of iron (100 and 200 mg/kg, as elemental iron) and three levels of zinc (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Piglets were also dosed with 47Ca, 65Zn and 67Cu; all radioisotopes were measured for 8 d. Apparent absorption of elemental 59Fe powder was 13 +/- 1%, whereas 59Fe sulfate was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 26 +/- 1%. The FeSO4 diet decreased 65Zn retention in Experiment 1, in contrast to the elemental iron diet, which did not have this effect in either experiment. Apparent 65Zn absorption averaged 44 +/- 2, 35 +/- 1 and 27 +/- 2% for the three levels of zinc (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg), respectively. Retention of 47Ca was not affected by dietary iron or zinc; retention of 67Cu was not affected by dietary iron. The data demonstrate good bioavailability of elemental iron without effects on zinc, copper and calcium.

Effects of dietary supplementation with fructooligosaccharides on colonic microbiota populations and epithelial cell proliferation in neonatal pigs.

Two experiments were conducted with neonatal pigs to determine the effects of feeding fructooligosaccharides on cecal and colonic microbiota, proliferation of cecal and colonic epithelial mucosa, and short-chain fatty acid concentrations in the cecum. Experiment 1 consisted of feeding neonatal pigs diets containing either 0 or 3 g fructooligosaccharies/L of formula for 15 days and then examining the large intestine for changes in cecal and proximal colonic microbiota; cecal pH; short-chain fatty acid concentrations; morphology of cecal, proximal, and distal colonic epithelial mucosa; gross necropsy; and histopathology. Supplementation with fructooligosacchariudes (FOS) did not alter cell counts of viable bifidobacterial organisms or total anaerobic microbiota, cecal pH, or concentrations of short-chain fatty acids. Cecal mucosal cell density and labeled cells increased with FOS consumption. Proximal colonic mucosal crypt height, leading edge, labeled cells, proliferation zone, and labeling index increased with FOS consumption. Distal colonic mucosal crypt height, leading edge, cell density, labeling index, and labeled cells increased with FOS consumption. Gross necropsy and histopathology found no significan lesions. In Experiment 2, neonatal pigs were fed diets containing either 0 or 3 g fructooligosaccharides/L of formula for 6 days. Fecal samples were collected on the first full day of feeding and on days 3 and 6 after initiation of feeding. On days 1 and 3, concentrations of bifidobacteria were similar between diets; however, on day 6, pigs consuming FOS tended to have greater numbers of bifidobacteria (p = 0.08). These data suggest dietary consumption of FOS will enhance bifidobacteria populations and prevent colonic epithelial mucosa atrophy in neonates fed an elemental diet.

Dietary fructooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide and gum arabic have variable effects on cecal and colonic microbiota and epithelial cell proliferation in mice and rats.

Two experiments were conducted to determine if supplementing soluble fiber (fructooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide or gum arabic) to a semi-elemental diet would beneficially change cecal and colonic microbiota populations and enhance epithelial cell proliferation. Experiments 1 and 2 used identical dietary regimens; mice and rats were given free access to a powdered semi-elemental diet. Animals were assigned to one of the four following treatment groups: control, no supplemental dietary fiber, fructooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide and gum arabic. Dietary fiber was supplied via drinking water at 30 g/L. In Experiment 1 populations of Bifidobacteria and total anaerobic flora were enumerated from the contents of the cecum and colon of weanling mice. Consumption of fructooligosaccharide increased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of Bifidobacteria and the ratio of Bifidobacteria to total anaerobic flora. In Experiment 2 tissue from the cecum and distal colon of weanling rats was examined for morphological changes of the mucosa. Consumption of xylooligosaccharide increased (P < 0.05) cecal crypt depth and labeling index relative to the other three treatments. Consumption of gum arabic and the control diet increased (P < 0.01) cecal proliferation zone. Consumption of xylooligosaccharide and the control diet increased (P < 0.01) cecal cell density (number of cells in a vertical-half of the crypt). Distal colonic crypt depth was greatest (P < 0.05) in controls and rats fed fructooligosaccharide, intermediate in those fed gum arabic, and smallest in those fed xylooligosaccharide. These results suggest that fructooligosaccharide effectively stimulates growth of Bifidobacteria and xylooligosaccharide supports a modest enhancement of cecal epithelial cell proliferation.

The enhancement of nonheme iron bioavailability by beef protein in the rat.

Beef protein was found to enhance the bioavailability of nonheme iron in the rat. Anemic rats were fed diets containing soy protein concentrate or rice bran as the source of nonheme iron with either lactalbumin or distilled water-washed beef, which was heme free. The criteria used to determine the relative biological value (RBV) of iron was the difference between the products of final hemoglobin x final weight and initial hemoglobin x initial weight during the repletion period. Animals fed diets with only lactalbumin as a source of dietary protein and graded levels of FeSO4 (RBV of FeSO4 = 100%) served as controls. The RBV of the endogenous iron in soy protein and rice bran was found to be 91 and 46%, respectively. Substituting washed beef for lactalbumin increased the RBV of soy protein iron to 96% (results not statistically significant) and of rice bran iron to 75% (results significant, P less than or equal to 0.05). These findings demonstrate the "meat factor" effect in the rat for the first time. Two days after completion of the 11-d hemoglobin regeneration period, the apparent absorption of iron was measured during a 60-h balance period. The apparent absorption of iron by rats fed diets containing beef tended to be higher, compared to animals fed diets containing lactalbumin.

Enhancement of Cu bioavailability in the rat by phytic acid.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of phytic acid on copper (Cu) bioavailability. Male weanling rats were fed a Cu-deficient diet (less than 1.0 micrograms/g) for 4 wk and then were divided into 12 groups (n = 8) in a factorial design. Cu-deficient rats were then fed diets containing 1.4, 3.0, 5.2 or 10.5 micrograms Cu/g (CuCO3) and 0, 0.4 or 0.8% phytic acid as sodium phytate at each Cu level. All diets contained 30 micrograms Zn/g. After 3 d of Cu repletion, liver copper (LCu), liver Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (LSOD) activity, serum Cu (SCu) and serum ceruloplasmin (CP) concentrations were determined. These parameters were used as indexes of Cu bioavailability. The addition of phytic acid to diets fed to Cu-deficient rats significantly enhanced Cu bioavailability compared to that of rats fed diets without phytic acid. Coefficients of determination (r2) were calculated for each response parameter versus dietary Cu concentration. The r2-values for pooled LCu and LSOD values were 0.31 and 0.30, respectively, between 1.4 and 5.2 micrograms Cu/g. At low dietary Cu concentrations, liver Cu parameters (i.e., LCu and LSOD) were more responsive indexes of Cu status than SCu and CP. Each index of Cu status was found to correlate with the other indexes of Cu nutriture. Phytic acid is postulated to enhance Cu utilization by its ability to bind other dietary components, such as Zn, that compete with Cu at the site of intestinal absorption.

Portal copper transport in rats by albumin.

The distribution of newly absorbed copper among serum proteins obtained from the portal circulation of rats was examined by conventional and high-performance gel filtration chromatography, affinity chromatography, and Western blotting. Within 10-30 min after being administered by gavage or directly into the intestine, 67Cu and 64Cu, respectively, were recovered in the albumin fraction. By 8 h after administration of the radionuclides, virtually all of the radioactivity was found with ceruloplasmin. Affigel blue fractionation and subsequent Superose-6 chromatography further demonstrated that all of the copper in the albumin-containing fractions was in fact bound to this protein rather than high molecular weight moieties. Vascular perfusion of the isolated rat intestine, where 64Cu was infused into the lumen, showed that newly absorbed 64Cu in the vascular perfusate collected from the cannulated portal vein was associated with albumin. Uptake of radioactivity by isolated rat liver parenchymal cells from medium containing rat serum with 67Cu bound to albumin was demonstrated. In vitro binding of 64Cu to serum proteins that were transferred to nitrocellulose by Western blotting techniques showed that albumin is essentially the only protein that binds appreciable amounts of copper. The data suggest that albumin is the plasma protein that is responsible for the initial transport of copper after absorption.

Relationship of components in wheat bran and spinach to iron bioavailability in the anemic rat.

Components found in wheat bran and spinach were evaluated as to their affect on the bioavailability of ferrous iron (i.e., FeSO4) by using the criteria of hemoglobin regeneration in anemic rats. The relative biological value (RBV) of iron in wheat bran and spinach (FeSO4 = 100%) were determined to be 124 and 53%, respectively. Control diets with graded levels of FeSO4 did not contain dietary fiber (i.e., cellulose). Adding cellulose (1.74%) or phytic acid (0.66%) at levels contained in the wheat bran diet, significantly increased (P less than 0.05) the RBV f the ferrous iron to 126 and 124%, respectively. The addition of 2.10% oxalic acid, the amount in the spinach diet, caused the highest increase in RBV to 164%. Combining these dietary components, plus lignin (0.67%) and pectin (0.63%), in various combinations, resulted in RBVs equivalent or significantly higher than 100%. The bioavailability of iron in plant foods appears to be dependent on how this nutrient is presented to the mucosa. Cellulose, phytate or oxalate added to a purified diet containing ferrous iron significantly enhanced the bioavailability of this element. Relative biological values for iron were also calculated based on food intake and growth rate. The latter parameters are believed to have greater utility in determining RBV when food intake and/or growth rate may vary among animals consuming different sources of test iron.

The action of cellulose on the intestinal mucosa and element absorption by the rat.

The effect of 0, 5, 10 and 20% cellulose on the apparent absorption of P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu were measured in balance trials, and the entire intestinal tracts of the rats were examined histologically after 23 days on the test diets. Growth and food consumption were not significantly different among groups. Mg and Zn absorption were significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in animals consuming 10 and 20% cellulose compared with animals ingesting 0 or 5% cellulose in their diets. No animals was in negative balance for any element. With increasing dietary cellulose levels, higher numbers of neutrophils and more mitotic activity were observed in crypt epithelial cells, especially of the duodenum and jejunum. However, the intestinal tracts of all animals were described as essentially normal. Lower Mg absorption at high cellulose levels was suggestive of decreased mucosal contact due to decreased intestinal transit time. The decrease in Zn utilization may arise from altered crypt and/or villous epithelial cell biochemical activity.

Influence of fish on the bioavailability of plant iron in the anemic rat.

The effect of fish protein and fish oil on the utilization of endogenous iron in wheat bran, spinach and soy protein isolate was investigated by using the anemic rat as an animal model. Marine products were substituted for casein and corn oil in the diets of these animals. Hemoglobin regeneration was one criteria used to measure iron uptake. Relative biological values (RBV) were computed from a regression equation obtained from control animals receiving graded levels of FeSO4 X 7H2O. The RBV of iron from plant sources provided in diets containing casein-corn oil versus fish-fish oil were: wheat bran, 123 vs. 111%; spinach, 53 vs. 49%; and soybean isolate, 84 vs. 67%; RBV FeSO4 = 100%. These changes were not significant. The decreases in iron absorption from diets containing marine products was attributed to the fish oil. Absorption of exogenous iron (59Fe) was measured in the same animals after the 14-day repletion period. Assimilation of the 59Fe was highly correlated (r2 = 0.958) with hemoglobin level at time of dosing. Diet composition did not appear to have the same effect on the percentage of 59Fe retained after 110 hours by the rat as compared to levels of hemoglobin regeneration (i.e., RBV). A "meat factor" effect was not shown by substituting fish for casein the diets containing plant iron sources fed anemic rats.

Anatomical distribution of sterols in oysters (Crassostrea gigas).

Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) contain at least 8 predominant sterols as determined by gas liquid chromatography and a modified Liebermann-Burchard reaction. These sterols and the average amount found in mg/100 are: C26-sterol (22-trans-24-norcholesta-5, 22-diene-3 beta-ol), 19.1; 22-dehydrocholesterol, 15.1; cholesterol, 46.8; brassicasterol, 27.2; delta 5,7-sterols (i.e., 7-dehydrocholesterol) 22.5; 24-methylenecholesterol 29.1; 24-ethylcholesta-5,22-diene-3 beta-ol, 1.2; and 24-ethylcholesta-5-en-3 beta-ol, 12.7. The distribution of these sterols appears uniform (r2 = 0.938) between 5 major organs of the oyster. The percent body mass vs percent total sterols in these 5 organs are: mantle 44.1--41.4; visceral mass 30.3--36.7; gills 13.2--11.7; adductor muscle 8.3--3.7; and labial palps 4.2--6.5. The possible sources of these sterols are discussed.

Atomic absorption spectrometric and colorimetric determination of iron in seafoods.

Iron levels in 14 seafoods were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) on freeze-dried composites. Samples were prepared for analysis after dry-ashing at 550 degrees C and wet digestion in HNO3-HClO4. Paired analysis of wet digests were accomplished by AAS and use of the colorimetric reagent, ferrozine. There was no significant difference in iron levels of seafoods due to sample preparation. While individual species levels were not significantly different between the AAS and colorimetric procedures, evaluation of all determinations indicates that ferrozine gives lower values (P less than 0.005) by 8%. Iron levels in seafoods in microgram/g dry weight (mg/100 g wet weight) determined by AAS on wet-digested samples were: 8 species of white finfish, 16.3 +/- 4.2 (0.31 +/- 0.08); Pacific shrimp, 12.3 +/- 1.4 (0.29 +/- 0.03); canned tuna, water pack, 16.6 +/- 2.9 (0.49 +/- 0.09); sockeye salmon, 29.0 +/- 5.5 (0.89 +/- 0.25); American shad, 29.1 +/- 1.5 (0.97 +/- 0.05); Pacific oysters, 391 +/- 45 (6.54 +/- 1.39); and Dungeness crab, 17.1 +/- 2.5 (0.35 +/- 0.05).

Effects of diet and type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia upon structure of triacylglycerols and phosphatidyl cholines from human plasma lipoproteins.

Four normal and two individuals with Type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia were placed on the National Heart and Lung Institute Type IIa diet (low cholesterol, smaller than 300 mg/day, high polyunsaturated, low saturated fat diet) for 1 week and on a normal diet the following week. Plasma samples were obtained and the triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and cholesterol contents of plasma and of very low density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, and high density lipoproteins determined. Triacyglycerol fatty acid composition was determined and stereospecific analyses of triacglycerols and phosphatidyl cholines performed. Structural determinations were limited to one normal and one Type IIa individual. In normal and Type IIa individuals, chylomicrons contained twice the amount of 18:0 as did the very low density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, or high density lipoproteins. The structure of the triacyglycerols from the very low density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins was asymmetric with at least 50M% 16:0 in the sn-1 position and mostly 18:1 in positions sn-2 and 3. There was a marked difference in the distribution of 18:2 in low density lipoproteins of the normal and Type IIa individuals. The control contained equal amounts of 18:2 in the sn-1 and sn-3 positions, whereas IIa low density lipoprotein was asymmetric with 26% of the 18:2 in position sn-1 and 3% in the sn-3 position. Very low density lipoprotein was asymmetric with regard to 18:2 in control and IIa samples with an average of 5% of the 18:2 in position sn-1 and 40% in position sn-3. The phosphatidyl cholines contained predominantly 16:0 and 18:0 in position sn-1, whereas the acids in position sn-2 were unsaturated with very little difference between lipoprotein classes. Neither the short dietary periods nor source of plasma affected the structure of the phosphatidyl cholines.