Amino-terminal sequence of a carcinoembryonic antigen-like glycoprotein isolated from the colonic lavages of healthy individuals.

A glycoprotein has been isolated from the colonic lavages of healthy individuals that is immunologically equivalent to carcinoembryonic antigen purified from tumor tissue. The NH2-terminal sequence of the glycoprotein from normal colon lavages is Lys-Leu-Thr-lle-Glu-Ser-Thr-Pro-Phe-(Asn)-Val-Ala-Glu-Gly-Lys-Glu-Val-(Leu,lle)-(Leu,lle)-(Leu,lle)-Val-(His,Arg?)-?-(Leu,lle). This is homologous to the NH2-terminal sequence of 23 of the first 24 amino acids of carcinoembryonic antigen isolated from tumor tissue.