Partial characterization of neural-inducing factors from Xenopus gastrulae. Evidence for a larger protein complex containing the factor

High (Mr ≈ 90–110 kDa) and low (Mr ≈ 15–30 kDa) molecular weight forms of neural-inducing factors have been found in the supernatant of Xenopus gastrula homogenate. The factors, which are protein in nature, have been partially purified by size exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The factor of smaller size, which could be derived from a precursor, is associated with other proteins in a larger complex. The neural-inducing factors are not irreversibly inactivated after chemical deglycosylation with trifluoromethansulfonic acid. The neural-inducing protein which is found in ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-particles was partially purified by hydrophobic chromatography. Possible relationships of the factors in different subcellular fractions and their physiological significance are discussed.