Molecular properties of the nerve growth factor secreted by L cells.

Abstract

The molecular size and stability of the nerve growth factor (NGF) secreted in culture by L cells have been studied by sedimentation and gel filtration chromatography. Results indicate that L cell NGF has a molecular weight of 160,000. It contains as part of its structure a protein component that is biologically, immunologically, and electrophoretically indistinguishable from the biologically active factor purified from mouse submandibular glands. However, unlike pure gland NGF, L cell NGF is highly stable in solution, and this finding indicates that L cell NGF is a form of the factor different from that previously described.