ENZYMATIC AND NONENZYMATIC DEGRADATION OF MYELIN BASIC-PROTEIN

A procedure for large scale isolation of myelin basic protein (BP) was modified to insure BP preparations free of neutral proteinase activity. Fractions were monitored by electrophoretic analysis of BP solutions incubated under various conditions of temperature and pH. Maximum degradation of human BP prepared by the old batch procedure occurs at PH 7, .apprx. 47.degree. C. BP preparations obtained by the new procedure, as well as BP preparations purified by CM[carboxymethyl]-cellulose chromatography, are stable under these conditions. the latter, however, do undergo significant breakdown at pH 9, 100.degree. C. Apparently, the degradation observed under these conditions is non-enzymatic in nature.