Recombinant type 1 transforming growth factor beta precursor produced in Chinese hamster ovary cells is glycosylated and phosphorylated.

Analyses of cDNA clones coding for simian type 1 transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta 1) suggest that there are three potential sites for N-linked glycosylation located in the amino terminus of the precursor region. Analysis of [3H]glucosamine-labeled serum-free supernatants from a line of Chinese hamster ovary cells which secrete high levels of recombinant TGF-beta 1 indicate that the TGF-beta 1 precursor, but not the mature form, is glycosylated. Digestion with neuraminidase resulted in a shift in migration of the two TGF-beta 1 precursor bands, which suggests that they contain sialic acid residues. Endoglycosidase H had no noticeable effect. Treatment with N-glycanase produced two faster-migrating sharp bands, the largest of which had a molecular weight of 39 kilodaltons. TGF-beta 1-specific transcripts produced by SP6 polymerase programmed the synthesis of a 42-kilodalton polypeptide which, we suggest, is the unmodified protein backbone of the precursor. Labeling with 32Pi showed that the TGF-beta 1 precursor was phosphorylated in the amino portion of the molecule.