[Characterization and physico-chemical properties of human transcortin]

The molecular weight of human transcortin, calculated from the sedimentation coefficient, was found to be 49,500, thus slightly lower than previously reported values. After purification, human transcortin trended to polymerize rapidly, with participation of both non covalent bonds and one disulfide bridge per dimer. The physicochemical parameters, the amino-acid and carbohydrate composition were determined; its stability was studied under different conditions. Preliminary structural studies showed that the N-terminal sequence of the polypeptide chain was: Met-Asp-Pro-Asn-Ala-Ala-Tyr-Val and that the C-terminal amino acid was leucine.