Two Major Non-Collagenous Glycoproteins in Embryonic Chick Arteries

Abstract
Glycoprotein-containing extracts were obtained from thoracic arteries of embryonic chicks by sequential treatment involving 6 M guanidinium chloride, purified bacterial collagenase, and 6 M guanidinium chloride plus 50 mM dithiothreitol. Two major glycopolypeptides, designated G1 and G2, having apparent MW of 140,000 and 130,000, respectively, were detected by SDS[sodium dodecyl sulfate]/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Equilibrium density gradient ultracentrifugation demonstrated G1 and G2 to be glycoproteins and not proteoglycans or glycosaminoglycans. Amino acid analysis of a glycoprotein-enriched fraction confirmed the noncollagenous nature of G1 and G2. The highly insoluble nature of these glycoproteins suggests that these species are intimately associated with the extracellular matrix. Glycoproteins of similar size were also extracted from wing tendons, indicating that G1 and G2 may be common to the elastic tissue of the chick.