FREE AMINO ACIDS IN BLOOD. II 377 

Figs. 88-90. Extracts of 100 mg of leukocytes from the bone marrow of a patient with chronic 
granulocytic leukemia (sample oxidized with peroxide), roo mg of myelocytes removed from the 
pelipheral blood of a patient with chronic granulocytic leukemia, and 50 mg of myeloblasts re- 
moved from the blood of a patient with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Note the marked differences 
in the free amino acid patterns of the different cell types. The upper arrow points to taurine, 
the one at the lower left to glutamine, and the one to the lower right to glutamic acid. 
patients or normal individuals. There was an overall increase in the free amino acids 
in these cells as compared to the more mature cells and the relative distribution of 
constituents is different. It has been pointed out previously that myelocytes tend to 
have a large free amino acid pool and the highest levels of glutamine of the various 
cells in the myeloid series. 
The free amino acid pool of a preparation of almost pure myeloblasts from a patient 
with acute myeloblastic leukemia is shown in Fig. 90. This sample was removed 
from peripheral blood and is notable for the extremely low level of glutamine, the 
moderately low level of taurine, and the very high levels of glutamic acid and ethanol- 
amine-O-phosphate. Glutathione and cysteic acid have not been observed in myelo- 
blast preparations. Myeloblasts appear to be unique in this respect as the other cells 
of the myeloid series contain both glutathione and cysteic acid (from cysteine and 
cystine) in readily detectable amounts. 
References p. 447/448 
