[Preparative isolation of human galactosyltransferase. A comparison of methods]

Human galactosyl transferase (EC 2.4.1.38), a potential tumour marker, was isolated from the ascite fluid of patients with ovary cancer by three methods based on the use of affinity adsorbents. The highest degree of purification was achieved during chromatography on galactosyl transferase-specific monoclonal antibodies immobilized on agarose. A comparison of physico-chemical properties of purified preparations was carried out. It was found that the enzyme purified on the immunoadsorbent did not practically differ in terms of molecular mass and isospectra from other enzyme preparations, which suggests that the antigenic epitope recognized by these monoclonal antibodies on the galactosyl transferase molecule is common for all enzyme isoforms.