Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1966 Mar 1;123(3):433-44.
doi: 10.1084/jem.123.3.433.

Studies on the pathogenesis of fever. XIV. Further observations on the chemistry of leukocytic pyrogen

G W Rafter, S F Cheuk, D W Krause, W B Wood Jr

Studies on the pathogenesis of fever. XIV. Further observations on the chemistry of leukocytic pyrogen

G W Rafter et al. J Exp Med. .

Abstract

Leukocytic pyrogen previously reported to contain an essential protein moiety, appears to be a lipid-protein complex having a molecular weight in the range of 10,000 to 20,000. Evidence that it contains essential lipid includes its inactivation by Cu(++), its lability in alkaline solutions (pH 8.5 and above), and its loss of pyrogenicity when extracted with acid-isooctane. Its solubility in 66% methanol, and the enhancing action of ethanol in freeing it from sonicated cells, suggest the presence of exposed lipid groups at its surface. Once the complex is separated from other proteins, its biological activity is readily destroyed. Although the lipid component is presumed to contain unesterified fatty acid(s), its precise composition is unknown. The finding of lipid in the active complex is in keeping with the hypothesis that the pyrogen is derived from leukocytic membranes.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. J Exp Med. 1963 Mar 1;117:349-64 - PubMed
    1. J Exp Med. 1962 Jan 1;115:37-47 - PubMed
    1. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1960 Sep;46(9):1248-55 - PubMed
    1. J Biol Chem. 1961 May;236:1372-9 - PubMed
    1. Fed Proc. 1959 Jul;18(2, Part 1):752-8 - PubMed