ISSN:
1432-1203
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary In primary amniotic fluid cultures, four distinct types of cells were characterized as epithelioid (E I and E II), fibroblast-like (F), and large cells. Small numbers (1–200) of freeze-dried cells were isolated from colonies of each cell type and analyzed for the activity of three lysosomal enzymes: β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, β-galactosidase, and α-glucosidase. When expressed per cell, the activities for each of the enzymes were not significantly different among the small types of cells (EI, EII, and F). However, 5 to 10-fold higher enzyme activities were found in the large cells. The dry mass of individual large cells, as measured by microinterferometry, was also 5 to 10 times higher than that of the smaller cell types. When expressed per unit of dry mass, the enzyme activities tested, appeared to be independent of the type of amniotic fluid cell. The significance of this observation for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of metabolic diseases is discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00272189
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