Zinc- and copper-binding proteins in the plasma of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Abstract
Zinc- and copper-binding proteins were isolated from the plasma of winter flounder using gel filtration chromatography. A single copper-binding protein fraction of molecular weight 170 000 was isolated from the plasma of both sexes.In male and female flounder over 95% of the plasma zinc was associated with a zinc-binding protein(s) with a molecular weight of 76 000. In male flounder the remaining zinc appeared to be bound to a protein(s) of molecular weight 186 000. In female flounder the remaining 5% of the zinc was associated with two zinc-binding fractions with apparent molecular weights of 186 000 and 340 000 – 370 000.Extracts of plasma vitellogenin and egg yolk proteins revealed significant quantities of zinc and copper. It is hypothesized that the female specific zinc-binding protein (340 000 – 370 000) was vitellogenin.

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