Characterization and antiproliferative activity of an α-type murine interferon from embryonic fibroblasts

AbstractInterferons play a part in the negative control of cell proliferation of mammalian cells. Here a natural interferon has been isolated from soluble proteins secreted by secondary murine embryonic fibroblasts using Blue Sepharose chromatography, immunoaffinity exclusion and Q Sepharose ion exchange fractionation. Partial amino acid sequencing assigns it to the interferon α family. Its biological and physico-chemical properties single it out from all other murine α interferons. The embryonic interferon has stronger antiproliferative activity, is acid labile, has stronger affinity for Blue Sepharose and weak affinity for antibodies which recognise other murine interferon α subtypes