Characterization of a cardiac muscle factor required for the survival of cultured parasympathetic neurones.

A macromolecule from ox cardiac muscle which supports the survival of dissociated embryonic chick ciliary ganglionic neurones in culture has been partially purified and characterized. Gel filtration after ammonium sulphate fractionation separated two peaks of activity, a high molecular weight form (greater than 50,000) which dissociated to a lower molecular weight component (approximately 20,000). The high molecular weight form was retained by DEAE-cellulose at neutral pH and was eluted by 0.11-0.16 M NaCl. The isoelectric point of the factor was 6.2.