Tamm–Horsfall urinary glycoprotein. The subunit structure

Abstract

1. Subunit molecular weights of 76000–82000 were obtained for native and alkylated Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. 2. A further estimate of the subunit molecular weight of 79000±4000 was obtained by disc gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate. 3. A minimum value of the chemical molecular weight of 79000±6000 was obtained from the number of N-terminal amino acids released by cyanogen bromide cleavage of the glycoprotein. 4. Similar values were obtained for the subunit molecular weight of Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein from patients with cystic fibrosis. 5. On ultracentrifugation both in 1.0% sodium dodecyl sulphate and in 70% formic acid, Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein sedimented as a single component, slightly faster than serum albumin. 6. On reduction of the disulphide bonds the same subunit molecular weight was obtained, which suggested that these bonds are intrachain.