title: B lymphocyte galactosyltransferase protein levels in normal individuals and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: We have quantified the level of beta4-galactosyltransferase protein in human B lymphocytes using an ELISA-based assay. Between 1-10ng of beta4-galactosyltransferase was detected per mg total cellular protein, indicating that this enzyme constitutes <0.001% of B lymphocyte cellular protein. Akin to previous studies, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis exhibited reduced lymphocytic galactosyltransferase enzyme activity compared with normal controls when using ovalbumin as the acceptor substrate. The levels of enzyme protein present in B lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis was, however, not reduced suggesting that the B lymphocyte galactosyltransferase catalytic activity may be regulated post-translationally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keusch
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Lydyard
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Delves
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002384:Catalysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005700:Galactosyltransferases / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D005700:Galactosyltransferases