Detection of a high molecular weight heparin binding acidic growth factor in human placenta

A heparin binding fibroblast growth factor with a molecular weight of approximately 45 kDa has been detected in human placenta. The protein was extracted from placenta and purified by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, DE-52 anion exchange chromatography, G100 gel exclusion and heparin sepharose affinity chromatography. The molecule was shown to be monomeric after treatment with beta-mercaptoethanol, and had an acidic isoelectric point. The properties of the polypeptide described in this paper (45 kDa, Pi 4-5, monomeric, heparin binding fibroblast growth factor), suggest that it may represent an as yet undescribed growth factor.