Early cortical plate specific glycoprotein in a marsupial species belongs to the same family as fetuin and α2HS glycoprotein

Abstract

Two related glycoproteins, fetuin in species of the order Artiodactyla (cattle, sheep, pig) and α₂HS glycoprotein in the human [(1987) Cell Tissue Res. 248, 33–41] have a very specific distribution in the developing brain. We have isolated and determined the first 15 N‐terminal residues of a similarly distributed glycoprotein in the developing brain of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). The degree of homology is the same between wallaby glycoprotein and α₂HS glycoprotein as between fetuin and α₂HS glycoprotein (46%). Antibodies made to synthetic peptides of fetuin were used to identify the wallaby glycoprotein. A polyclonal antibody to the purified glycoprotein was used for immunocytochemical identification of brain cells positive for this protein.