Probable occurrence of brain basic protein factor I, an activator of phosphoprotein phosphatases.

Basic protein factor I (BPFI was purified to homogeneity from bovine brain by boiling and trichloroacetic acid-precipitation of tissue homogenate, followed by DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-150, Affi-Gel-phenothiazine, and Bio-Gel P-6DG chromatographic procedures. The preparation appeared as a single protein band in the SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a minimal Mr of 13,200. The factor was a basic protein as indicated by an estimated isoelectric point of pH 8.3 and a high content of amino acids including arginine, histidine, lysine and others. In the absence of Mn2+, the factor stimulated the phosphoprotein phosphatases (PPase) from rabbit brains. Unlike histones or protamine, the factor was a poor substrate for megamodulin-dependent protein kinase. In addition, the factor did not interact significantly with E. coli megamodulin.