Protein and glycoprotein electrophoretic patterns of enriched fractions of primary and secondary granules from guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The postnuclear supernatant fraction of sucrose homogenates of guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was subjected to differential centrifugation to obtain a total particulate fraction, a particle-free supernatant fraction, highly enriched fractions of primary and secondary granules, and a membrane-rich fraction. The various fractions were solubilized in buffer containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and analyzed for protein and glycoproteincomponents by SDS -polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The major glycoprotein components of the postnuclear supernatant fraction were found mainly associated with the enriched fraction of secondary granules and, to a lesser extent, with the membrane-rich fraction. No major glycoprotein components were visible in the polypeptide electrophoretic patterns of the primary granule fraction or of the particle-free supernate. Attempts at separation of guinea pig granules by zonal sucrose density gradient centrifugation were only partially successful. Data supporting a species difference in this regard between rabbit and guinea pig PMNL granules are presented.