Abstract
Summary
1) Reactivity of sulfhydryl and disulfide groups in normal and cancerous sera was studied under the influence of UV radiation, detergents, and electrolysis. We were able to demonstrate that serum as such contains reactive -S-S- groups, and that the reactivity of -SH and -S-S- differs according to age and for normal and cancerous serum. 2) The greater amount of -SH and -S-S- found after irradiation could be due to unfolding of the spiral structure of the protein and consequent release of the residual bonds. The energy required for normal serum is greater in the case of younger people (up to 25 years) than for older people (aging effect) and also greater for normal serum than for cancerous ones. 3) Sodium laurylsulfate also greatly increased the -SH and -S-S- content, which can be explained by the unfolding property of the molecule. The electrolysis of serum in acid medium made it possible to reduce -S-S- groups in proteins; the response of serum to this treatment is described. The possible relation of these results to the protective action of -SH against irradiation is discussed.
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