The Purification, Characterization and Partial Sequence Determination of a Trout Testis Non-histone Protein, HMG-T

A specific non-histone chromatin-associated protein, having a high content of both acidic and basic amino acids has been isolated from the chromatin of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdnerii) testis cells. The protein has been prepared by the extraction of chromatin with 0.35 M sodium chloride and purified by chromatography on carboxymethyl-cellulose with a gradient of lithium chloride at pH 9.0. The amino acid sequence of the first 29 residues of the amino-terminal region has been determined using an automatic protein sequencer. The primary structure of this protein differs from that of any of the histones yet sequenced and, therefore, cannot be a degradation produce of any of them. Moreover, the N-terminal amino acid sequence shows considerable similarity to the HMG-1 and HMG-2 chromosomal proteins described by Goodwin et al. [Eur. J. Biochem. 38, 14-19 (1973)] whose-N-terminal sequences were also determined in this laboratory.