Size characteristics of human leucocyte interferon under reducing and non-reducing conditions

Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis was used to characterize human leucocyte interferon (HuIFN-alpha) under reducing and non-reducing conditions. Under non-reducing conditions HuIFN-alpha possesses two size forms, but under reducing conditions (r-HuIFN-alpha) only one is observed. The apparent molecular weight of this one form varies with the concentration of 2-mercaptoethanol used. When r-HuIFN-alpha is permitted to reoxidize the bimodal configuration of HuIFN-alpha is restored. The size heterogeneity of native HuIFN-alpha can be eliminated by mild treatment with NaIO4 [HuIFN-alpha/IO4; Stewart II, Lin, Wiranowska-Stewart & Cantell (1977) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 4200-4204]. The size of the HuIFN-alpha/IO4 increases after treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol (r-HuIFN-alpha/IO4) and the apparent molecular weight of this component also varies with the concentration of 2-mercaptoethanol used. In the case of r-HuIFN-alpha the single peak observed apparently originates from both the higher- and lower-molecular-weight components.