[Isolation and purification of an antibacterial polypeptide from human cervical mucus].
OBJECTIVE
This study was made to isolate and purify antibacterial polypeptides from human cervical mucus.


METHODS
Human cervical mucus was collected from human healthy subjects, and the acid-soluble extract was obtained by solving the mucus with 5% acetic acid in the presence of protease inhibitor. By using gel overlay technique, one protein band that was potently antibacterial against E. coli ML-35P was identified. To purify the antibacterial polypeptide, the preparative acid-urea gel electrophoresis and Reverse Phase HPLC were performed.


RESULTS
A purified antibacterial polypeptide was obtained and named HCP-1. Tricine-SDS-PAGE indicated that the relative molecular mass of HCP-1 was around 14 x 10(3). Agar radial diffusion assay showed that the purified polypeptide had antibacterial activities against E. coli ML-35P and Pseudomanas aeruginosa ATCC65922.


CONCLUSIONS
HCP-1 may be a new effector molecule of human cervical mucus.
Yang
Huarong
H
Research Unit of Infection and Immunity, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Pan
Xiaoling
X
Huang
Ning
N
Wu
Qi
Q
Feng
Yun
Y
Wang
Boyao
B
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010455:Peptides