The transformation-sensitive heat shock protein (hsp47) binds specifically to Fetuin.

The transformation-sensitive heat shock protein of Mr = 47,000 (hsp47) has been shown to bind to collagen and gelatin. We examined the binding specificity of hsp47. The binding of hsp47 to gelatin-Sepharose 4B was competitively inhibited by fetuin as effectively as by gelatin or collagen, whereas a variety of other proteins tested had no effect. Fetuin-coupled Sepharose 4B was found to bind hsp47 even at high ionic strength, but the complex was dissociated at pH less than or equal to 5.5.)