Distribution of the low molecular weight form of eukaryotic elongation factor 1 in various tissues

Since it was shown that the low molecular weight form of the eukaryotic polypeptide chain elongation factor 1 (EF-1alpha) is highly unstable but could be stabilized by the addition of 25% (v/v) glycerol to all the buffer solutions (Nagata, S., Iwasaki, K., & Kaziro, Y. (1976) Arch. Biochem, Biophys, 172, 168-177), its distribution in several tissues has been investigated under conditions where it is stabilized. The results obtained indicate that EF-1alpha is present as a predominant species in all the tissues examined, such as pig liver, rat liver, rabbit reticulocytes, and Artemia salina cysts. Furthermore, it is suggested that the high molecular weight form of the elongation factor 1 contains a new elongation factor, EF-1beta, in addition to EF-1alpha, while the low molecular weight form contains little EF-1beta.