Purification and characterization of Moran 20K from Morus alba

A new glycoprotein was purified from the aqueous methanolic extract of the root bark of Morus alba which has been used as a component of antidiabetic remedy in Oriental Medicine. SDS-PAGE result shows that the molecular weigh t of the glycoprotein was approximately 20 kDa. This new glycoprotein was n amed as Moran 20K. The protein lowered blood glucose level in streptozotoci n-induced hyperglycemic mice model and it also increased the glucose transp ort in cultured epididymis fat cells. The amino acid composition of the pro tein was analyzed, and the protein contained above 20% serine and cysteine such as insulin. The actual molecular weight of the protein was determined as 21,858 Da by MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy.