EGF receptors on plasma membranes purified from bovine mammary gland of lactating and pregnant animals.

A procedure for purification of plasma membranes from bovine mammary gland has been developed. The binding capacity of EGF to the plasma membranes from mammary tissue of pregnant cows was equal to 335 fmol per mg of protein thus being twofold higher than in membranes from lactating gland. The KD values were not changed. Autoradiographs of the membrane receptor linked to [125J]-EGF revealed three labeled bands corresponding to 160 kDa, 145 kDa and 115 kDa polypeptides. The main band of 145 kDa was labeled stronger in membranes from pregnant animals. The results suggest that the EGF receptor level is enhanced in fast proliferating normal mammary tissue.