High molecular weight forms of basic fibroblast growth factor recognized by a new anti-bFGF antibody.

An antibody against basic fibroblasts growth factor (bFGF) was raised using purified bovine pituitary bFGF. Western blot analysis revealed immunoreactive bands at 18, 24, 30-33 and 46 kDa in immunoaffinity purified extracts of pituitary and adrenal gland using this antibody. A similar staining pattern was obtained with ovary extracts with the exception of the missing 18 kDa band. A second anti-bFGF antibody raised against a synthetic peptide comprising the 24 N-terminal amino acids of bFGF reacted with the 18 kDa and the 46 kDa band of immunoaffinity purified ovary and adrenal gland extracts.