Galactosyltransferase variant in pleural effusion.

Abstract

Abstract In measuring total galactosyltransferase activity in the pleural effusions from patients with benign or malignant diseases, we found no significant difference between the two groups (p greater than 0.05). However, a small amount of a galactosyltransferase variant, GT(l), could be separated from other galactosyltransferase enzymes in malignant pleural effusions by anion-exchange chromatography (DEAE-cellulose) with a buffer of low ionic strength. Other galactosyltransferases were eluted from the column with buffer of higher ionic strength. Using a mini-column method, we detected GT(l) enzyme in 19 of 26 specimens fro cancer patients, as compared with eight of 25 specimens from patients with benign disorders. The appearance of GT(l) enzyme in pleural effusion may be a tumor-associated phenomenon.