The prepared gel-like ovomucin and its
-subunit were treated with Pronase at various ratios (1/25600-1/6.25) to the sample weight at 37
C for 24 h. The concentration, chemical composition,and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic patterns of the obtained soluble fractions and theirabilities to bind to anti-ovomucin antibodies and
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were measured.At a ratio of 1/6400 the highest soluble fraction (solubility: nearly 100%) was obtained. At a ratioof 1/800 the fragment with the highest binding activity to the antibodies was obtained, and at aratio of 1/50 the fragments with the disulfide bonds intact (apparent molecular masses, AMMs: 55,45, and 40 kDa) which showed binding to the antibodies were prepared and partially characterized.Fragments (AMMs: 220, 120, and 100 kDa) at ratios of 1/3200-1/800 and the final Pronase-resistantfragment (AMM: 120 kDa) at ratios of 1/12.5-1/6.25 with a binding activity to NDV could then beprepared. From the analysis of the fragments of Pronase-treated
-subunit, the AMM 120-kDafragment was demonstrated to be a part of the AMM 220-kDa fragment.Keywords: Ovomucin; anti-ovomucin antibodies; Newcastle
disease virus; Pronase treatment