Biochemical characterization of an in-vitro murine megakaryocyte growth activity: Megakaryocyte potentiator

Abstract

The biochemical properties of an in-vitro megakaryocyte growth factor called megakaryocyte potentiator (Mk-POT) were investigated. P388D1 cell conditioned medium (P388D1 CM), was used as the source of Mk-POT. The potentiator activity had an apparent mot. wt of 21 kilodaltons (kd) by gel filtration and was eluted from DEAE-Sepharose pH 8.0 with 0.15 M NaCl. Chromatofocusing revealed three active species with apparent pIs of 4.0, 5.5 and above 6.0. Most Mk-POT activity does not bind to Concanavalin A-Sepharose. Mk-POT activity is sensitive to reduction by dithiothreitol and temperatures above 90°C. Treatment with trypsin, α-chymotrypsin and pronase also reduced the Mk-POT activity, but it was not destroyed by RNase A or neuraminidase. It is precipitated in ammonium sulphate solutions of between 60 to 70% saturation, and by 80% ethanol. The Mk-POT activity is stable in solutions of pH 5.0–9.0. The data presented here suggest that megakaryocyte potentiator is either heterogeneous in its properties or more than one molecular species may express the in-vitro Mk-POT activity found in P388D1 CM.