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Avian thymic hormone (ATH) is a parvalbumin
J M Brewer1, J K Wunderlich, D H Kim
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|May 15, 1989
Summary
Researchers identified avian thymic hormone, a protein promoting immunological maturity, as a parvalbumin. This finding links a known biological function to the parvalbumin protein family for the first time.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Chicken thymus protein influences immunological maturity in bone marrow cells.
- The specific molecular identity of this protein was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the amino acid sequence of the protein responsible for promoting immunological maturity.
- To identify the protein by comparing its sequence to known protein databases.
Main Methods:
- Amino acid sequencing of protein fragments (45, 24, 9, and 8 residues).
- Computer-assisted sequence comparison against established protein databases.
Main Results:
- The amino acid sequences of several fragments were established.
- Sequence analysis unequivocally identified the protein as a parvalbumin.
- This marks the first identification of a functionally defined protein as a parvalbumin.
Conclusions:
- Avian thymic hormone, which enhances immunological maturity, is a parvalbumin.
- This study establishes a molecular identity for a key immunomodulatory protein.