Altered glycosylation of membrane glycoproteins in human uroepithelial cell lines

Total cellular glycopeptides of 7 human uroepithelial cell lines that differ in the grade of transformation (TGr) were analysed by gel filtration and affinity chromatography on immobilized lectins. The 4 cell lines that are tumorigenic in nude mice and invasive in vitro (TGr III) possess more highly branched, tri- and tetraantennary N-acetyllactosaminic glycans, with less biantennary glycans than the 2 non-tumorigenic, noninvasive (TGr II) cell lines examined. The only exception to this general pattern is the third cell line, which is classified as TGr II. The cellular glycopeptide distribution pattern in this cell line is similar to that of the TGr III cells. The possible relationship between altered glycosylation of membrane glycoproteins and the expression of a malignant phenotype is discussed.

Development of an anticomplement immunoenzyme test for detection of EB virus nuclear antigen (EBNA) and antibody to EBNA

An anticomplement immunoenzyme test was developed by conjugating anti-human C3 antibody with horseradish peroxidase. EBNA could be detected by this test in all cell lines related to EB virus, as well as in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells, but not in unrelated cell lines. Antibody to EBNA could also be detected. The test is sensitive and does not require a fluorescence microscope which makes it particularly suitable for mass survey.