[Transcobalamin II levels in blood plasma of children with acute leukemia]

Transcobalamin II (TcII) level was studied in plasma of 40 children with acute leukemia. TcII is a cobalamin-binding protein which mediated the cellular uptake of Cbl and interacted with surface membrane receptor of hemopoietic cells. Plasma TcII and cobalofilins were analysed by PAGE using 57Co-cyanocobalamin. In addition, the mature human placenta with high specificity and affinity to TcII receptors was applied for TcII plasma identification. As compared to control, significant difference of TcII activity in the plasma of children with ALL was noted. There were children with low and high TcII concentration vs. control (484 +/- 42 and 1166 +/- 62, p > 0.001). Therefore, it is necessary to assay individually all the biochemical parameters of Cbl-transport system of children with ALL for adequate metabolic correction.