| sure, ranged from 17 hours to 160 hours. Evidence of the organic molecules in the final product is based on gas and thin-layer chromatography data. The degree of conversion is quite high. During the longer radiation time, for instance, more than 10% of the carbon monoxide becomes organic matter. These findings are the most favorable indication for a possible Martian biological evolution that we have had in the past five years, Mariner 6 view of Mars the exobiologists point out. But, they add, there are still uncertainNow, the outcome of a year-long ties which won't be resolved until study at Caltech's Jet Propulsion a landing on the planet. That event Laboratory in Pasadena "makes is slated for 1976. Mars more interesting for biologists/' as Dr. Norman H. Horowitz, BLOOD: biology professor at neighboring Caltech, puts it. For he and his co- Red cell hormone isolated workers, Dr. Jerry S. Hubbard and Chicago-based scientists have isoDr. James P. Hardy, have produced lated erythropoietin, the hormone formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and that stimulates red blood cell formaglycolic acid in a Martian-simulated tion. Working with senior scientist environment. And these chemicals Charles Kung of the Atomic Energy are regarded as having been likely Commission's Argonne Cancer Reprecursors of biological molecules search Hospital, Dr. Eugene Goldduring the early days of earth's evo- wasser separated the hormone from lution. the blood of anemic sheep. Dr. Indeed, the fact that they made Goldwasser, a biochemist at the the compounds, which absorb University of Chicago, notes that strongly in the UV region of the sheep in which anemia had been inspectrum and are destroyed, came duced by hemolysis with phenylbecause as something of a surprise, Dr. Hor- hydrazine were used owitz admits. The clue, he points greater quantities of erythropoieout, is the presence of finely divided tin are formed in response to anesoil or pulverized Vycor glass in the mic stress. reaction vessel. "What we believe Scientists have known for about we are seeing is a surface-catalyzed 50 years that erythropoietin exists, effect in which carbon monoxide Dr. Goldwasser says, but until now and water are adsorbed on the soil it had not been possible to isolate particles where they interact under it. The Chicago scientists, workthe influence of UV light," Dr. Horo- ing under an AEC grant, used ion witz says. exchange chromatography and, to a Admittedly, the chemicals, when lesser extent, ammonia and alcohol formed, would tend to be broken fractionation to separate and purify down by the continuing UV irradia- the sample. Though characterization, he adds. But if they were tion of the hormone has really just to become buried or otherwise begun, the team has established the shielded from the rays, then their molecular weight of the glycoprobuildup could be appreciable during tein at about 46,000. the course of geological time, Dr. For individuals suffering from Horowitz adds. I kidney disease, Dr. Goldwasser and In their tests, the JPL scientists Dr. Kung's work may bear a very significance. Though exposed carbon dioxide (97%), car- practical bon monoxide (0.1%), and water other secondary sites may exist, the vapor (2.9%)—the gas mixture that, kidney is the predominant site of based on present knowledge, makes erythropoietin manufacture. When up the atmosphere of Mars—to UV the kidneys fail to function propradiation of 2000 to 3000 A. [Proc. erly, patients become anemic and frequent transfusions. Nat. Acad. Set., U.S., 68, 574 (1971)]. require In the quartz vessel garden soil or Though Dr. Goldwasser acknowlpowdered glass was ashed. Radia- edges that such patients certainly tion of the mixture, maintained at have worse problems, transfusions room temperature and 1 atm. pres- nevertheless increase the risk of
contracting hepatitis and result in a buildup of iron in the system. If treatment with erythropoietin were available, patients under dialysis might live a more nearly normal life, Dr. Goldwasser says. In principle, he notes, it is possible that a small "bit" of the erythropoietin molecule is the active portion and that this bit can be isolated and synthesized. If this can be accomplished, treating kidney patients for anemia would not only be efficacious but would also be economical. Dr. Goldwasser and Dr. Kung's work may also yield important dividends in biological research. In Dr. Goldwasser's view, erythropoietin may provide a very good model for studying the pathway from undifferentiated cells to final formation of red blood cells. ' T h e mechanism by which one cell is instructed to make hemoglobin while others around it are not is fascinating," Dr. Goldwasser says. He notes that scientists now have two well defined end points, with pure erythropoietin at one end and the cell containing hemoglobin at the other. "What we want to know is what happens in between," he says. POLLUTION:
Attack from all sides The antipollution battle continues to be fought out in the courts and statehouses. Ontario has sued Dow and Dow Chemical of Canada over mercury pollution; and just last week the Supreme Court turned down a mercury pollution case involving the two Dow firms, Wyandotte Chemicals (now BASF Wyandotte Corp.), and the state of Ohio. Meanwhile, Gov. John Gilligan of Ohio has put together a tough antipollution legislative package. And in New York state, Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller has proposed a ban on phosphate detergents. The Ontario suit against Dow and its Canadian subsidiary asks damages of $25 million and $10 million to foot costs of dredging the St. Clair River and Lake St. Clair water bottoms allegedly polluted by mercury. Dow Canada's chairman, L. D. Smithers, expressed amazement over the suit, stating that Dow Canada has cooperated fully with Ontario since discovery of the mercury contamination. The Supreme Court ruled, in an eight to one decision, that it lacks the time and the expertise to play MARCH 29, 1971 C&EN
9
