Biologic and molecular characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), black-winged lory (Eos cyanogenia), and cats (Felis catus).

Toxoplasma gondii isolates can be grouped into 3 genetic lineages. Type I isolates are considered virulent to outbred mice, whereas Type II and III isolates are not. In the present report, viable T. gondii was isolated for the first time from striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), and black-winged lory (Eos cyanogenia). For the isolation of T. gondii, tissues were bioassayed in mice, and genotyping was based on the SAG2 locus. Toxoplasma gondii was isolated from 3 of 6 skunks, 1 of 4 Canada geese, and 2 of 2 feral cats (Felis catus) from Mississippi. All donor animals were asymptomatic. Viable T. gondii was also isolated from 5 of 5 lories that had died of acute toxoplasmosis in an aviary in South Carolina. Genotypes of T. gondii isolates were Type III (all skunks, lories, and the goose) and Type II (both cats). All 5 Type III isolates from birds and 2 of the 3 isolates from skunks were mouse virulent.

Streptozocin-induced pancreatic islet destruction in beef cows.

Streptozocin (STZ) induces diabetes mellitus in sheep and pigs. To test the effect of STZ in cattle, cows were given 75-150 mg STZ per kilogram of body weight. Cows receiving 150 mg/kg required euthanasia within 24 hours after infusion because of the severe systemic effects of STZ. Seven cows receiving doses of < or = 100 mg/kg had mild to marked decrease in islet immunoreactivity for insulin and in pancreatic islet density and mild to severe tubulointerstitial nephritis. Two cows receiving 75 and 85 mg/kg STZ regained their ability to produce insulin and return blood glucose to basal levels. One cow given 100 mg/kg STZ developed insulin insufficiency consistent with type I diabetes mellitus. These findings demonstrate the susceptibility of the bovine pancreas to STZ: however, severe systemic complications were encountered. Alternative dosages and methodologies should be considered in future attempts to induce diabetes in cattle using STZ.

Identification of a membrane-associated receptor for transforming growth factor type E.

We have identified the receptor for epithelial type transforming growth factor (TGFe). TGFe, a member of the epithelin/granulin family of proteins, is present primarily in tissues of epithelial origin. It is a powerful mitogen for epithelial and fibroblastic cells. TGFe, iodinated using an immobilized glucose oxidase-lactoperoxidase method, was chemically crosslinked to receptors on membranes isolated from SW-13 adrenal carcinoma cells by the crosslinker disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS). The receptor appears to be a protein which migrates at an apparent molecular weight of approximately 170-175 kDa under reducing and nonreducing conditions in SDS-polyacrylamide gels.

Purification of epithelial-type transforming growth factor by micro-preparative electrophoresis chromatography.

The purification and recovery of biologically active epithelial-type transforming growth factor (TGFe) is described. In the final phase of purification, micropreparative electrophoretic chromatography was employed using a Tris-glycine-sodium dodecyl sulfate buffer system in an automated instrument. Briefly, partially purified protein preparations were separated in 2.5 x 50 mm, 10% polyacrylamide gel in electrophoresis tubes installed in the apparatus, electrophoresed under constant current of 1.5 mA for 400 min and recovered by automated fractionation and collection of the eluant from the tube gel. Aliquots of the eluted fractions were assayed in a biological system using SW-13 cell growth stimulation as an indicator of the presence of biologically active TGFe. Using the above procedure, TGFe was purified to within 95% homogeneity as assessed by silver-stained sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Presence of growth factors in human pituitary.

Recent reports indicate that fibroblast growth factors known to be present in the pituitary in high levels regulate the action of growth hormone and prolactin. New data also suggest a regulatory role in the pituitary for other growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). Since in most systems cooperation of several growth factors is required for their optimal function, we sought to demonstrate the presence of certain growth factors in the pituitary. Acid ethanol extracts from approximately 50 autopsy-derived human pituitaries were subjected to molecular sieve chromatography and were tested for growth factors. Low molecular weight protein (10 micrograms) eluted from the molecular sieve column contained 10-20 ng material binding to the EGF/TGF-alpha receptor as determined by the EGF/TGF alpha radioreceptor binding assay which represents 11 ng EGF/TGF alpha per pituitary. By Western blotting we found EGF but could not document the presence of TGF-alpha in this material. Radioimmunoassay for insulin-like growth factor I detected 0.4-0.8 ng insulin-like growth factor-I/100 micrograms extract. TGF-beta eluted between 14,000 and 20,000 M(r) at levels of 3-4 ng/pituitary. Its ability to inhibit growth of CC164 mink lung cells was abolished by antibody to TGF-beta 1 but not by antibody raised against TGF-beta 2. The detection of platelet derived growth factor was equivocal and not fully reproducible. We have partially purified TGFe from the pituitary; it stimulated soft agar growth of carcinoma SW-13 cells, and it followed an elution pattern identical to bovine kidney TGFe on molecular sieve column and high pressure liquid and high performance electrophoretic chromatography. Our data show that in addition to fibroblast growth factors, the human pituitary contains other growth factors, such as EGF/TGF-alpha, TGF-beta, insulin-like growth factor I, and TGFe.

Transforming growth factor e: amino acid analysis and partial amino acid sequence.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that transforming growth factor e (TGFe) acts as a mitogen for epithelial and fibroblastic cells in both monolayer and soft agar. We have also identified TGFe in both normal and neoplastic tissues of mostly epithelial origin, and in body fluids. In this study we report on the purification of TGFe to homogeneity from bovine kidney using a multistep purification protocol which utilizes high performance electrophoresis chromatography in the final step. Amino acid analysis of TGFe revealed high content of proline, aspartate and glutamate. Examination of partial amino acid sequence indicated no similarity to other, already characterized, growth factors.

Megaesophagus in two cats.

Megaesophagus was diagnosed in 2 cats. Both had a history of regurgitation, and one was dyspneic. Radiography of the thorax and abdomen revealed generalized megaesophagus and gastric distention with gas. There was no esophageal motility during fluoroscopic observation. The prognosis for cats with megaesophagus is guarded. Although they may be satisfactory pets, cats with this condition should not be used for breeding because the condition is believed to be inherited through recessive genes.

Purification of transforming growth factor type e.

Transforming growth factor type e (TGFe) is a heat- and acid-stable polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 22,000, which stimulates the proliferation of certain epithelial and mesenchymal cells in monolayer and soft agar. TGFe has been purified to homogeneity. Initial acid-ethanol extraction of bovine kidney was followed by batch ion-exchange chromatography utilizing Bio Rex 70 resin. The activity eluted from the Bio Rex 70 resin was concentrated and diafiltered using an Amicon concentrator equipped with an S1Y10 spiral membrane, then was further purified by Bio-Gel P-60 molecular sieve chromatography. Active fractions from molecular sieve chromatography were pooled and purified by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography, followed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography using a microbore C-8 column. The final purification step involved electro-elution of TGFe separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Purity of TGFe was assessed to be greater than 90%.