F-ACTIN-DEPOLYMERIZING ACTIVITY OF HUMAN-SERUM

Non‐heated human and animal sera contain a factor which exhibited an inhibiting activity on the staining of actin‐containing structures by anti‐actin antibodies in indirect immunofluoresecnce experiments. The presence of this factor lowered the viscosity of F‐actin preparations and caused, as studied by electron‐microscopy, a depolymerization of F‐actin filaments as well as inhibition of filament formation of G‐actin. The factor was, after its reaction with F‐actin, liberated seemingly unaffected, indicating an enzymatic activity. The factor tentatively termed ‘F‐actin depolymerizing factor’ was heat‐sensitive and trypsin sensitive but resisted reduction. It was Ca2+ dependent and the staining inhibiting reaction was faster at 30°C and 37°C than at lower temperatures. Gel filtration experiments on Sephadex G‐200 suggested a molecular size of the actin depolymerizing factor slightly higher than that of albumin. The electrophoretic mobility was that of γ2 globulin. The physiological role of the factor might be to prevent the presence of F‐actin filaments within the circulation. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved