Glycoproteins of human tumour and normal mammary gland tissues

Antigenic preparations from human tumour (TMG) and normal mamary gland (NMG) tissues were isolated, using water extraction followed by precipitation of proteins with perchloric acid, which were further separated into fractions A, B and C by gel filtration of Sepharose 6B. Glycoprotein fractions B and C were further separated by IEC on DEAE cellulose to give fractions B1-BIV and C1-CIV. A set of glycoproteins (M sub(r) = 13,000 - 122,000; pI similar to 3 - 7.5) were detected in TMC and NMG, the glycoproteins specific for TMG or NMG as well as common for both TMG and NMG being found. The major glycoproteins (M sub(r) = 46,000), i.e. GP-1 from TMG not found in NMG and GP-2 and GP-3 from NMG not found in TMG were isolated and characterized both biochemically and serologically.