Purification and Characterization of EGF-like Active Peptide from Calf Submaxillary Gland (c-EGF).

A peptide with M(r) of 6 kD and pI at 4.6 was purified from calf submaxillary gland by acid extraction, CM52 and DE52 ion exchange chromatography, Sephadex G 75 gel filtration and HPLC. Similar to rh- EGF, the peptide has such biological effects as the stimulation of the proliferation of NRK cells and fetal epithelial cells in vitro, the acceleration of incisor eruption and eyelid opening in new born mice and the stimulation of phosphorylation of the membrane protein of A 431 cells. The amino acid composition of this peptide is similar to that of rh-EGF, with both deficient in phenylalanine and threonine.