Digitized Theses and Dissertations (1940 - 2009)
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://hdl.handle.net/10657/3932
About UH Libraries' Digitized Theses and Dissertations Project
University of Houston (UH) Libraries is engaged in a multi-year project to digitize and deliver online its collection of print theses and dissertations dating back to 1940, making the full breadth of scholarship produced by UH students more readily accessible around the world. There is no cost to the author for this service.
Alumni and other readers will be able to view these works as they are processed and made available through UH's open access repository. Works that are presumed to be under copyright will be restricted only to users who have an active CougarNet ID.
Please note, text may be faint or difficult to read, and pages may be missing or misnumbered in the print copies of theses or dissertations. UH Libraries staff have made every effort to provide the highest possible quality representation of the original works. To protect privacy and other rights, some personally identifiable information and/or copyrighted material is redacted from the works in this collection.
Theses and dissertations will continue to be made available through interlibrary loan (ILL) to other libraries, as when they were only available in print.
Requests for withdrawing works (except electronic theses and dissertations) must be directed to the online Takedown Request Form. Any other questions about this project may be directed to cougarroar@uh.edu.
Browse
Browsing Digitized Theses and Dissertations (1940 - 2009) by Department "Biology and Biochemistry, Department of"
- Results Per Page
- Sort Options
Item 1. Synthesis and purification of 2H-decyl aldehyde. II. Kinetic isotope effects and analysis of the luciferase catalyzed reaction using various flavin analogues, assay methods, and buffers(1983) Peters, Cynthia,1961-; Tu, Shiao-Chun; Hecht, Ralph M.; Eichberg, Joseph, Jr.; Franklin, Luther E.Two kinetic models have been devised to study the decay rate of light emission in the luciferase bioluminescence reaction. The first model assumes that the luciferase reaction degrades via a light pathway and results in the manifestation of the kinetic isotope effect in the ratio of observed decay rate for H-aldehyde over that for D-aldehyde. The second model assumes degradation of the luciferase reaction occurs via a dark pathway with a resulting isotope effect manifested in the quantum ratio. It is shown that substitution of various flavin analogues for FMNH2 in the luciferase reaction produces results that follow these two schemes closely. Chain substituted derivatives and riboflavin result in kinetics consistent with a predominating light pathway, while ring substitutions result in dark decay. Previous data on the kinetics of luciferase catalyzed reactions reported that in the standard injection assay, low ionic strength Pi buffer, and saturating decanal and FMNH2 concentrations, kinetic values were consistent with decay by a light predominating pathway. We present data which indicate that the isotope effect on light decay rate is consistent with light decay under all conditions tested, but the quantum ratio differs to an extent in some cases that is inconsistent with either of the two proposed kinetic models. These data suggest that the luciferase reaction can partition in both the light-emitting pathway and the dark pathway to various extents depending on experimental conditions. A kinetic equation relating observed Vmax to the true Vmax value has been devised to determine maximal velocity of the luciferase reaction under conditions of substrate inhibition. This equation was found to be effective in correctly estimating the maximal velocity of the luciferase reaction at some aldehyde concentrations, but ineffective over a range of 100-fold increase in aldehyde concentration. The accuracy of the Ki and Kd values for aldehyde calculated according to this equation is also questionable.Item 6-methylthioinosine-3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate: synthesis, feedback inhibition and interaction with cyclic phosphodiesterases from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells(1975) Epps, Dennis Earl; Kimball, A. P.; Spring, Thomas G.; Sherwood, Edith; Bear, John L.Item A characterization of the ribonucleic acid and ribosomes of the Myxomycete Physarum rigidum(1968) Jungkind, Donald; Henney, Henry R., Jr.; Kimball, Aubrey P.; Bartel, Allen H.; Aumann, Glenn DavidPlasmodium of Physarum rigidum A was grown in axenic shake culture at 24[degrees]C in a soluble semi-defined medium. Aliquots were removed at 24 hour intervals and measured for dry weight, protein and RNA content. By day 13, the maximum values were reached. These were 85.0, 51.0 and 8.3 mg, respectively, per 50 ml of media. Extracts were made in a pH 7.4 buffer containing 0.01 M Mg[raised ++] ions, and the S[degrees][lowered 20] value of the ribosomes was determined to be 79.6. The magnesium concentration was lowered and the S[lowered 20] values of the subunits were determined to be 37.6 and 57.5 respectively. The sedimentation values of phenol purified total RNA were obtained using the analytical ultracentrifuge and absorption optics. The boundaries found had S[degrees][lowered 20] values of 5.1, 17.7 and 26.8. The nucleotide composition of the total RNA and ribosomal RNA was determined on multiple samples by chromatography on AG1-X8 formate resin following alkaline hydrolysis. The total RNA content of guanylic, cytidylic, adenylic, and uridylic acids respectively is 33.67[plus-minus]0.99, 18.82[plus-minus]0.60, 24.09[plus-minus]0.70, and 23.42[plus-minus]0.36. The corresponding composition of ribosomal RNA is 31.62[plus-minus]1.18, 19.33[plus-minus]1.29, 26.25[plus-minus]0.42, and 22.80[plus-minus]0.67.Item A colorimetric method for the assay of streptomycin(1952) Szafir, Jean J.; Cominsky, N. Catherine; Percival, Ruby; Sawin, H. J.; Huggins, Sara E.Chemical methods for the assay of streptomycin and dihydrostretptomycin were investigated and some that have survived trial were described. Due to their inadequacies it seemed feasible to investigate the possibilities of the Vogues-Proskauer method for the assya of these antibiodies. Some modifications of the Voges-Proskauer method are rapid and simple to perform and should any of these modificaions prove adaptable for the assay of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin, a cheaper, simpler, and faster method of assay than any now known would be available. [...]Item A comparative and integrated study of phosphorylation reactions under prebiotic, biochemical and chemical conditions(1987) Porbunderwalla, Sabrina A.; Oro�, John F.; Eichberg, Joseph, Jr.; Nelson, Daniel A.; Zlatkis, AlbertD-glucose, D-ribose and D-fructose were phosphorylated under prebiotic conditions by heating in open tubes, aqueous solutions of glucose/ribose/fructose, cyanamide or urea and inorganic phosphate at 70[degrees] C for a period of 16 hours. The products were identified by paper chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. G1ucose-6-phosphate was further identified by a highly specific enzymatic assay. The synthesis of the sugar phosphates was found to be affected most by the pH of the reaction mixture and the type of condensing agent. Cyanamide proved to be a more effective condensing agent than urea giving a better yield of product. Under slightly acidic conditions (pH 5.2), phosphorylation of glucose produced g1ucose-6-phosphate as the major product. Glucose-l-phosphate could be detected only in traces because of its high susceptibility to acidic hydrolysis. In alkaline media (pH 7.5-8.0), phosphorylation of ribose and fructose produced ribose-l-phosphate and fructose-l-phosphate as the only products. This synthesis is an attractive model for the prebiotic synthesis of sugar phosphates, aqueous solution in the presence have been suggested as primordial as it proceeds in dilute of cyanamide or urea, which condensing agents.Item A comparative physiological study on the resting cell metabolism of Azotobacter vinelandii grown under nitrogen-fixing and nonnitrogen-fixing conditions(1972) Zehner, Zendra Elizabeth; Jurtshuk, Peter, Jr.; Henney, Henry R., Jr.; Aumann, Glenn David; Kimball, Aubrey P.The respiratory activity of Azotobacter vinelandii strain 0 was examined for whole cells grown on either acetate or sucrose with varying sources of nitrogen, i.e, atmospheric nitrogen, nitrate, or ammonium ion. Oxygen uptake was measured manometrically and expressed as the QO2 value or the micro liters of oxygen consumed per hour per mg dry wt. Substrates of particular importance were Kreb Cycle intermediates, carbohydrates, alcohols, and others. The oxidation pattern of some substrates exhibited a prolonged lag before appreciable oxygen was consumed. The duration of this adaptive period was seen to vary depending on the substrate being utilized and the concentration of resting cells added per flask. Failure to decrease the cell concentration until a repeatable, linear oxygen uptake rate was obtained could result in a greatly underestimated respiratory coefficient. Therefore, whenever possible QO2 values were calculated from linear portions of the oxidation rate curve. In this manner the oxidation pattern of the various substrates was divided into six categories depending on the degree of respiratory activity obtained and the length of the adaptive period. Differences in oxidative ability between cells grown on sucrose or acetate under nitrogen-fixing conditions were noted only in the oxidation patterns exhibited for the various carbohydrates common to the dissimilation of the carbon source sucrose. [...]Item A comparison of contractile proteins from muscle and non-muscle systems(1976) Kwak, Woong Kil; Henney, Henry R., Jr.; Evans, John E.; Aumann, Glenn DavidA review of the literature dealing with contractile protein in muscle and non-muscle systems was done. Proteins resembling the major proteins of the muscle contractile system, actin and myosin, have been found in several types of non-muscle cells. These have been identified by their biochemical properties. Actin has the ability to form filaments and to interact with muscle myosin. Myosin possess actin-activatable enzymatic activity. Actin isolated from various sources appears to be identical to muscle actin in its functional properties, although there are minor differences in chemical composition and physical properties. In contrast with the actin myosin-like proteins which have been purified from primitive eucaryotic cells may differ from one another and muscle myosin in important characteristics. Chelating agents and SH reagents, such as ethylenediamine tetraacetate and PHMB, have been used extensively in the study of ATPase activity. A detailed discussion of SH groups which differ in susceptibility is presented for understanding myosin ATPase activity. Microtubules are important for some types of biological movement. Colchicine is a useful tool for the study of microtubules. Microfilaments are important for a wide variety of cellular movements by virtue of contractile activity via a sliding interaction with myosin. The chemical nature of cyto-chalagin B-aensltive microfilaments remains unkown. There is evidence that microfilaments are similar to actin filaments. Cytochalasin B inhibits a wide variety of cellular movements. The molecular mechanism which controls primitive cellular movement resembles the mechanism for control of muscle contraction. Comparisons of some isolated eucaryotic contractile proteins have produced several controversial hypotheses. One hypothesis is that the actin-myosin based contractile mechanism of muscle is a specialized example of a widely distributed fundamental mechanism of generating force for movement in all eucaryotic cells.Item A comparison of life-history strategies and environmental effects upon populations of Armadillidium vulgare in three habitats(1979) Miller, Ross Henry; Cameron, Guy N.; Bryant, Edwin H.; Lester, L. James; Osburn, Hobart G.Individual populations of Armadillidium vulgare in a Chinese tallow forest, a red oak forest, and in a Baccharis-grassland area were compared for one year. Time-specific life tables were prepared for each population. R0 for isopods in the tallow, oak, and Baccharis was 7.59, 7.46, and 16.63 respectively. Mean generation time (T) was 245 days, 337 days, and 532 days. Values of r/female/50 days were .01020, .00669, and .00617. Isopods in the Baccharis were found to have significantly extended survivorship in comparison to isopods in the other two habitats. Densities in the Baccharis were lower and fluctuated less than densities in the tallow and oak forests. Densities in oak forest were higher than those in the tallow and Baccharis areas. Densities in the tallow and oak forests increased sharply during spring and summer and declined throughout the winter. Density fluctuations were found to be related to changes in mean monthly temperature within the tallow and oak forests. Reproductive capacity of females in all three areas increased directly with length and did not differ significantly between habitats.Item A comparison of the changes in biochemistry and plastid ultrastructure during the development of green and albino genetical strains of Nicotiana tabacum(1969) Wood, Barbara; Venketeswaran, S.; Aumann, Glenn David; Weber, Darrell J.; Freebaum, Hugh; Kimball, Aubrey P.The development of highly isogenic green and albino strains of Nicotlana tabacum was coropared, A method of growing albino plants in bulk under asceptic conditions in culture was devised. This allowed greater growth than methods used by other inxrestigators. Both strains were found to show maximum growth in liquid ccnpared to solid medium. Optimum growth of both strains was obtained in modified liquid Hoagland's mediun compared to modified liquid MUK medium. The albino plant showed less growth than the green under all oondltlcns and developed only a reduced capacity for photosynthesis. The green plant was found to follow the same general pattern of changes in dry weight, protein, RNA and DNA ocntent as that of other higher plants. The albino initially contained more protein and dry weight than the green, but followed the same overall pattern of metabolism as the green plant. The nucleic acids of the albino showed a different pattern during developnent to that of the green. The albino had a lower initial DNA content which later showed a large increase after the 16th day. This large increase in DNA ocntent was followed by an increase in DNA content at the 23rd day. The increase in DNA occurred at the same time as the appearance of the third leaf with green patches. The plastids of the green plant followed a normal course of development. The albino farmed mainly vesicle-eontaining plastids and a few grana-containing plastids in the cotyledons at germination. The grana apparently degenerated as only vesicle-containing plastids wore observed in later stages of the cotyledons, the green patches of the later leaves off the albino contained both grana- and vesicle-containing plastids. A correlation between dilorophyll synthesis and grana fornatlon was established in the albino. A possible correlation between nucleic acid content and namal plastid formation was observed.Item A comparison of tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase of free-living and symbiotic Rhizobium species(1976) Johnson, Lyndon Gandy; Cowles, Joe R.; Jurtshuk, Peter, Jr.; Spring, Thomas G.; Venketeswaran, S.Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase was studied in partially purified extracts of free-living and symbiotic Rhizobium meliloti F-28 and Rhizobium japonicum 705. Certain differences in the properties of the enzymes were observed between the two rhizobial species and between free-living and symbiotic rhizobia. Differences were observed in optimal pH values and optimal magnesium and ATP concentrations. The optimum pH was 7.0 and 8.0 for the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase of free-living and symbiotic R. meliloti, respectively. The optimum pH was 8.0 and 8.5 for the synthetase of free-living and symbiotic R. japonicum, respectively. The magnesium optimum concentration was 2.0 mM and 8.0 mM for the synthetase of free-living and symbiotic R. meliloti, respectively, and was 10.0 mM for both free-living and symbiotic R. japonicum systems. The optimum ATP concentration was 0.8 mM for the synthetases of both symbiotic rhizobia, but was 2.0 mM and 1.0 mM for free-living R. meliloti and R. "japonicum, respectively. Rhizobial sRNA was preferred for aminoacylation over yeast and calf liver sRNA. Enzyme extracts of the free-living and symbiotic rhizobia also were noted to differ in response to fractionation with ammonium sulfate. The highest tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase activity of free-living rhizobia was associated with the 55 to 75% ammonium sulfate fraction, whereas the highest synthetase activity of symbiotic rhizobia was associated with fractions of lower ammonium sulfate saturation. Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase activity and protein and nucleic acid content of the symbiotic R. japonicum increased with the age of soybean nodules. These observations and possible implications of physiological importance were discussed.Item A competitive hybridization assay for the quantitative determination of specific messenger RNA(1986) Winkler, Hans, 1945-; Crow, Michael T.; Nelson, Esther Marion; Eskin, Arnold; Wagner, Michael J.A new method for the quantitative assessment of specific mRNA has been developed. This method, termed "competitive hybridization assay" (CHA), is analogous to competitive binding assays which have been established for quantifying metal/protein and antibody/antigen interactions. The rationale of the design of this method was to simplify previous methods. Currently available methods based on solution hybridization assays are very sensitive but involve elaborate and time consuming methods for removal of unreacted probe and isolation of the double stranded species. In the procedure presented here, a small amount of labelled tracer RNA competes for hybridization to either mRNA in solution or single stranded DNA, immobilized to the wells of a microtiter plate (iDNA). Increasing concentrations of mRNA in solution result in less tracer binding to the iDNA. The unreacted tracer and RNA are easily removed by washing them off the wells of the microtiter plates. The actual amount of tracer bound to the iDNA therefore reflects the relative mRNA concentration. Known amounts of mRNA can be used to standardize the reaction. The overall sensitivity of the CHA is greatly improved by prehybridizing the tracer with the mRNA. The special design of this assay allows automation of the process using enzyme immunoassay microtiter plate readers.Item A fine structural analysis of the foregut of the tardigrade Milnesium tardigradum (Doyere)(1972) Dewel, Ruth Ann; Clark, Wallis H., Jr.; Lawrence, Addison Lee; Aumann, Glenn David; Crowe, John H.The fine structure of the foregut of the tardigrade Milnesium tardigradum is presented. The analysis covers the structures of the anterior foregut, including the oral region, buccal tube and salivary gland, the pharynx and the esophagus. The oral region consists of a terminal mouth opening surrounded by six plate-like lips lying within a circlet of six prominent papillae. This pattern is remarkably similar to the arrangement of oral structures in certain nematodes. The buccal cavity is enclosed within a thick cuticular tube which possesses appendage-structures, the stylet sheaths, stylet supports and paired protrusible stylets. Again the presence of a cuticularized buccal capsule and protrusible stylets finds parallels among the nematodes. Finally, two large salivary glands envelope the buccal structures and contain voluminous amounts of secretory product which has access to the buccal cavity through the openings of the stylet sheaths. The pharynx of M. tardigradum is a large muscular structure which acts as a pumping or sucking organ during feeding. It has a triradiate, cuticle lined lumen surrounded by radially arranged muscle cells and special apical cells which cap each of the ventricles of the lumen. Among the Aschelminthes a strikingly similar pharynx is found in the nematodes, and perhaps also in the gastrotrichs which await more thorough examination. [...]Item A fine structural investigation of oogenesis in the brown shrimp Penaeus aztecus(1974) Hill, Frederick Leonard; Clark, Wallis Hensman, Jr.; Franklin, Luther E.; Bartel, Allen H.; Lawrence, Addison Lee; Neal, Richard A.The ovary of Pennons aztecus is located in the dorsal cephalothorax and consists of anterior, lateral, and posterior lobes. Follicular egg development is exhibited, with the follicular cell layer present until spawning. Vitellogenesis may be divided into early and late production of yolk materials. The swelling of short discontinuous elements of rough endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for the early (intracellular) aspect of yolk production. Micropinocytotic uptake of materials at the oolemma and the subsequent fusion of the micropinocytotic vesicles contribute to the late (extraoocytic) phase of yolk platelet production. The most striking morphological attribute of the mature oocyte is the presence of large cortical rods. These rods demonstrate a partial cortical reaction prior to spawning and a subsequent "explosive" ejection of their contents at spawning.Item A fine structural study of sperm differentiation and the effects of colchicine on sperm morphology in Nematospiroides dubius(1974) Al-Hajj, Hameed Ahmad; Clark, Wallis H., Jr.; Franklin, Luther E.; Freeman, Lawrence E.; Bartel, Allen H.An ultrastructural study of N. dubius sperm differentiation and the effects of colchicine on this process are presented. The spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes are attached to a cytoplasmic nucleated rachis. Early spermatogonia have a large nucleus with one or two nucleoli. The cytoplasm contains ribosomes, microtubules, lipid-like droplets, and endoplasmic reticulum. In more advanced spermatogonia, Golgi bodies become abundant and continuity between the outer nuclear membrane and endoplasmic reticulum is common. Cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum are often noted surrounding masses of fibrillar material. In such cases one side of the reticular cisternae becomes hypertrophied. Primary spermatocytes exhibit an increased amount of endoplasmic reticulum and fibrillar material. Both components collectively make the fibrillar bodies which, at this stage, are scattered throughout the cytoplasm. Secondary spermatocytes are joined to each other by cytoplasmic bridges. In these cells the fibrillar bodies and other organelles are localized in the peripheral cytoplasm. A limited number of microtubules are present in perinuclear cytoplasm. [...]Item A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric and stable carbon isotope ratio study of organic pollution in Clear Lake and its tributaries(1973) Evans, Joseph Edwin; Oro, John F.; Bartel, Allen H.; Gray, Horace B., Jr.; Flory, Donald A.Water samples were collected from Clear Lake and three of its major tributaries and subjected to solvent extraction. The volatile organic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and as many as possible were identified and traced to their source tributary. The samples were also analyzed for dissolved and particulate organic carbon and further characterized by stable carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The results of these analyses indicate that Clear Lake and its tributaries contain substantial amounts of pollutant organic carbon, and that the major portion of this carbon is petrochemical or petroleum in nature. The data also indicates that both gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and combined dissolved/particulate organic carbon and stable carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry are not only effective in evaluating types and amounts of organic pollutants, but are also effective in tracing them to their source tributary.Item A gross, histological and cytological study of the liver of Talapia nilotica(1973) Francis, Candice; Clark, Wallis H.; Swallow, Richard L.; Dodson, Ronald F.Examination of the liver of Tilapia nilotica has shown that classical hepatic circulatory organization is not present in this animal, hepatocytes are densely distributed throughout the organ in plates of two cells in thickness. Sinusoids are lined with a fenestrated endothelium, the openings of which are closed by a thin diaphragm. Also present within the organ, surrounding the major hepatic portal veins, is a second type of basophilic, granular tissue, the function of which is unknown.Item A list of some of the vertebrates of Harris County, Texas(1949) Daugherty, F. Morton, Jr.Lists of the vertebrate animals of Harris County, Texas, exclusive of the fish, birds, and marine mammals have been presented. These lists were compiled from published records, collections, and personal field work. Each species has been recorded systematically and an accession reference given. The knowledge that it would be highly improbable to make complete lists prompted the use of hypothetical lists. These hypothetical lists are based on ranges, given by authorities, which indicate a close approach to or include Harris County, Texas. Some animals have been listed as extinct for the Harris County area. These animals have been recorded in old literature, but are not known in the area today. Harris County, Texas was chosen for this work on the basis of the terrain, locality, and the need for such a work. A general discussion of the terrain, physical dimensions, climate, history, and industries has been included.Item A lysosomal proteinase and encystment of Physarum flavicomum haploid cells(1982) White, Hiltrud Ulrike; Henney, Henry R., Jr.; Franklin, Luther E.; Henning, Susan J.; Hecht, Ralph M.The effect of various compounds on the encystment of Physarum fIavicomum haploid cells was studied, as well as the involvement of an intracellular proteinase in this process and its characterization and localization in lysosomes. Aliphatic side chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, and valine) as well as 3-methyladenine, adenine and hypoxanthine were effective in delaying encystment when incubated with cells in basal salts solution. The amino acids and 3- methyladenine also affected the level of the acid proteinase in whole cell extracts; the former by reducing the levels, the latter by increasing it in the early encystment period. However, no effect on the acid proteinase level of isolated lysosomes was detected. [...]Item A mechanism for the sucrose stimulation of the genetic transformation of Bacillus subtilis(1976) Peetz, Richard Haines; Evans, John A.; Bennett, Edward O.; Goldschmidt, Eugene P.; Kimball, Aubrey P.; Aumann, Glenn DavidA study of the sucrose stimulation of genetic transformation in Bacillus subtilis has presented experimental evidence related to the part played by the cytoplasmic membrane and mesosomes in the binding of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid to competent cells. The transformation stimulation by 0.3M sucrose was found to be limited to cells already competent, to affect equally all genetic markers tested, to be limited to the reversible binding phase of the uptake process and inhibited by very low and very high temperatures. The pH optimum remained the same as the control, as did the ionic strength optimum, but the methylene blue dye adsorption, i.e. the negative charges on the cell, decreased in the presence of sucrose. The stimulating effect was found to be associated with the cells, not the medium or the DNA. It was decreased by lipolytic enzyme treatment and decreased the amount of residual DNase in supernatants of competent cells. Cells with and without sucrose responded similiarly to dinitrophenol inhibition of active transport. Single-strand transformation responded to sucrose the same as the native DNA system. Lactose, mannose and galactose, also stimulating sugars, demonstrated the same reversible binding phase specificity and low temperature inhibition of the stimulatory effect, thus suggesting that most, if not all, sugars that stimulate genetic transformation have a common mode of action. The data was discussed in relation to existing ideas of mesosomal involvement in DNA uptake and a mechanism dedeloped for the interaction of stimulating sugars and mesosomes resulting in an increase in genetic transformation.Item A method for measuring hydroxylysine glycosides in biological material : its application to the study of collagen metabolism in spinal cord injury(1982) Rodriguez, Gladys P.; Eichberg, Joseph; Claus-Walker, Jacqueline; Bartel, Allen H.; Mailman, David S.; Middleditch, Brian S.Collagen, which accounts for one-third of the total protein of the human body, is one of the principal proteins in connective tissue, and it is therefore important to be able to monitor changes in its metabolism due to aging, sickness or trauma. This can be done by measuring the urinary excretion of collagen metabolites. Both the absolute urinary concentrations and the ratio of the urinary concentration of glycosylgalactosyl hydroxylysine to galactosylhydroxylysine provide information on the rate of metabolism and the type of collagen that is preferentially degraded. A method is presented to obtain a complete amino acid profile, including both hydroxylysine glycosides, from a 100 pl urine sample in an automated, one column amino acid analyzer using a crosslinked sulfonated styrene copolymer resin and three lithium citrate buffers. Total elution time is 270 minutes. Glycoside standards for this method were extracted from a homogenate of canine anterior lens capsule which had been subjected to alkaline hydrolysis followed by elution on a BioGel P2 column. Five control urine samples and ten samples from recent cervical spinal injury patients were analyzed by this method and the results compared. The patients' mean urinary concentration of each hydroxylysine glycoside was approximately three times that of the controls.