Human platelet basic protein. Its relation to low affinity platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin.

Human beta-thromboglobulin, low affinity platelet factor 4 and platelet basic protein have been purified to homogeneity from the material released by thrombin-stimulated platelets. Purification steps included isoelectric focusing and heparin-agarose chromatography. Antibodies against each of these proteins have been raised in rabbits. Antigenic identity of the proteins has been demonstrated in radioimmunoassay using 125I-labelled platelet basic protein or 125I-labelled low affinity platelet factor 4 and a variety of antibodies. The molecular weight of platelet basic protein estimated by gel filtration in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride using Sepharose 6B corresponded to approx. 10 000 daltons, slightly higher than that of beta-thromboglobulin (8851 daltons) and low affinity platelet factor 4 (9278 daltons). These findings raise the possibility that the formation of low affinity platelet factor 4 beta-thromboglobulin may be a consequence of the action of proteolytic enzymes on platelet basic protein.