title: Isolation and characterization of an immunosuppressive protein from Trichosanthes kirilowii root tubers.
abstract: An immunosuppressive protein was isolated from Trichosanthes kirilowii root tubers by a procedure involving acetone fractionation and ion exchange chromatography on CM-Sepharose. Homogeneity of the protein was demonstrated in immunoelectrophoresis, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration, high performance liquid chromatography and a single NH2-terminal sequence. The protein had a molecular weight of 26,000, aspartic acid as the NH2-terminal amino acid and no cysteine or carbohydrates in its molecule. It inhibited ConA-induced transformation in lymphocytes isolated from spleens of CBA mice. The protein was also potent in inducing mid-term abortion in mice.
mesh_terms: D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000276:immunology*; D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002852:Chromatography, Ion Exchange; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015978:Trichosanthin
chemical_list: D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D000020:Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010940:Plant Proteins; D015978:Trichosanthin