A factor that prevents EDTA-induced cell-growth inhibition: Purification of transthyretin from chick embryo brain

We previously reported the inhibition of cell-growth in Neuro-2A cells, mou se neuroblastoma, by Zn2+ chelation with EDTA. This paper describes the pur ification of a factor that prevents EDTA-induced cell-growth inhibition fro m chick embryo brain. The purified factor has a molecular mass of 16 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. This fac tor prevents the cell-growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner and also binds thyroxine. Analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence revealed t hat 40 residues coincide with the sequence of chicken liver transthyretin.