STUDIES ON ANTITUBERCULOUS FACTORS IN THE LOW MOLECULAR FRACTIONS OF THE SERA OF VARIOUS ANIMAL SPECIES : REPORT II. PURIFICATION OF ANTITUBERCULOUS FACTORS AND THEIR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

1) The low molecular fractions of the serum of human, bovine, rabbit goat, dog, cat, and guinea pig were investigated by the paper culture method. The inhibiting zone to the growth of H37Rv and BCG existed at the nynhydrin positive part of Rf 0.5. No inhibition was noted by using avian type of tubercle bacilli and Mycobacterium 607. 2) The low molecular fractions of the sera of bovine and rabbits were investigated by systematic fractionation using ion exchange resins. The active factors were divided into two fractions-the amino acid-polypeptide fraction and the organic acid fraction. The fraction of the organic bases and the fraction of sugars had no activity. 3) The activity of both fractions was not changed after immunization. 4) The activity of both fractions were stable against heating. Slight decrease of the inhibitory power of the amino acid-polypeptide fraction was noted after hydrolysis, but the activity of the organic acid fraction were stable against hydrolysis.