Studies of glycoproteins from bovine aorta

Glycoproteins from bovine aorta intima were isolated by a sequential digestion of the tissue with collagenase and elastase after extration of the tissue with saline. The proteins in the extracts were precipitated by (NH4)2SO4 and fractionated by Con-A sepharose affinity chromatography. The fractions were analyzed for their carbohydrate composition and by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. These studies show that considerable heterogeneity of aorta glycoproteins exists. Some of the glycoprotein materials are likely intimately associated with fibrous structures, collagen and elastin, of the aorta intima.