Differences in sialic acid content of human interferons

Human leucocyte, lymphoblastoid and fibroblast interferons were separately treated with sialidase and the effect of this on their isoelectric focusing was examined using a system in which full dissociation of complexes occurred. Both leucocyte and lymphoblastoid interferons showed a single form with an isoelectric point which was unaltered by treatment with sialidase. In contrast, fibroblast interferon showed three forms which were reduced to one by treatment with the enzyme.