Purification of tropomyosin from bovine adrenal medulla and its inhibitory effect on the actin severing activity of adseverin (adrenal medulla 74 kDa actin severing protein).

Tropomyosin was purified from a gelation product produced in the crude extract of bovine adrenal medulla using several column chromatographies mixed with a boiling treatment. Purified tropomyosin was a mixture of major isoforms with low molecular weights and minor isoforms of high molecular weights. Purified tropomyosin showed a dose-dependent protective effect on actin filaments against the severing activity of adseverin derived from adrenal medulla, suggesting its important role in the regulation of cell shape and structure in vivo.