Reduction of murine interleukin-1 beta: a possible mechanism in the functional maturation of IL-1 beta.

: Studies related to the functional activity of human endogenous pyrogen have emphasized its susceptibility to oxidative inactivation. Here we show that the specific activity of murine IL-1 beta polypeptides can be increased by reduction and subsequent alkylation. This treatment induces a change in the relative molecular weight from 20 kDa to 21 kDa of the molecule, suggesting that conformational changes may play a critical role in the functional maturation of IL-1 beta molecules.