The O-linked oligosaccharides of mucin-type glycoproteins contain N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) that is not found in N-linked glycoproteins. Because Helix pomatia lectin interacts with terminal GalNAc, we used this lectin, bound to particles of colloidal gold, to localize such sugar residues in subcellular compartments of intestinal goblet cells. When thin sections of low temperature Lowicr...

IT has long been known that the polysaccharide chitin when completely hydrolysed yields glucosamine and acetic acid; in recent years it has indeed been shown conclusively that the basic unit of the polysaccharide is N-acetylglucosamine. The evidence for the latter statement rests, firstly, on the discovery by Karrer & Hofmann [1929] ofan enzyme in Helixpomatiawhich is able to hydrolyse chitin t...

The CEDIA dau Benzodiazepine assay has been reformulated to include online hydrolysis of urinary benzodiazepine glucuronide conjugates. The new antibody possesses enhanced cross-reactivities toward the low-dose benzodiazepines, which are excreted at low urinary drug-metabolite concentrations. The screening method was evaluated using lorazepam as the probe benzodiazepine. Four subjects each cons...

Hemocyanin of the snail helix pomatia was studied by small angle X-ray scattering in 0.15 M phosphate buffer pH 6. The outer portion of the scattering curve showed minima, which indicated that the hemocyanin molecule is composed of a large number of identical (or very similar) nearly spherical subunits. From the position of the minima the radius of gyration R u of the subunit was calculated to ...

The terrestrial Roman snail Helix pomatia has successfully adapted to strongly fluctuating conditions in its natural soil habitat. Part of the snail's stress defense strategy is its ability to express Metallothioneins (MTs). These are multifunctional, cysteine-rich proteins that bind and inactivate transition metal ions (Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Cu(+)) with high affinity. In Helix pomatia a Cadmium (Cd)...