title: Mitogenic proteins of pokeweed. I. Purification, characterization and mitogenic activity of two proteins from pokeweed (Phytolacca octandra).
abstract: Saline extracts from the roots of the pokeweed species. Phytolacca octandra were separated by ion-exchange chromatography into three fractions, Po-1, Po-2 and Po-3. Po-1 contained two monomeric proteins with molecular weights of 36,000 and 29,000 and these were partially purified by gel filtration. Po-2 was purified as a single polymeric protein composed of approximately ten 14,000 mol. wt polypeptides and is a new pokeweed mitogen. Po-3 was purified as a single polymeric protein composed of approximately four 31,000 mol. wt subunits, and apart from its polymeric structure closely resembles commercial pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Po-2 and Po-3 were mitogenic for unseparated human peripheral blood lymphocytes but the degree of mitogenic activity in Po-2 preparations was dependent on storage following purification. Purified B cells were not stimulated by either mitogen. Po-3 was a potent mitogen for T cells but preparations of Po-2 required storage before they stimulated T cells. Higher responses were observed in co-cultures of B and T cells than in separated B and T cell cultures. It is suggested that human B and T lymphocytes show synergy in their responses to Po-2 and Po-3.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D008970:Molecular Weight; D037121:Plant Lectins; D010944:Plants / Q000032:analysis*; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens