Effect of glycosidases on the properties of human interferon gamma.

Heterogeneity of human gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) induced by the combined treatment with OK-432 and Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) was demonstrated by chromatofocusing. Treatment of IFN-gamma with a mixture of neuraminidase, and beta-galactosidase eliminated the charge heterogeneity. Apparent molecular weight of IFN-gamma was decreased by enzyme treatment. These results suggest that the heterogeneity of IFN-gamma induced in our system was the result of the difference in the content of sialic acids.