Detection of high molecular weight forms of platelet-derived growth factor by sequence-specific antisera.

Antisera to synthetic peptides representing sequences of both chains of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were used to structurally analyze PDGF isolated from outdated human platelets and PDGF-like proteins in normal and transformed cells. Most PDGF isolated from platelets did not contain the carboxyl portion of PDGF-2 in contrast to p20sis, the major form of p28sis detected in simian sarcoma virus-transformed cells. In addition, higher molecular weight forms of molecules containing PDGF-1 and PDGF-2 sequences were detected in all cell lines tested. These lines were heterogeneous with respect to species, cell type, and transforming agent.