Abstract: The invention is concerned with new glial growth factors, such as the molecule referred to as GGF2. These factors are mitogenic factors for, e.g., Schwann cells.

Abstract: The invention involves the purification of various glial mitogenic factors. In one aspect of the invention, vertebrate brain material is extracted, and the extract is then subjected to chromatographic separation. The glial mitogenic factors which can be obtained include a basic polypeptide with a molecular weight of from about 30 to about 36 kD, by reference to SDS-PAGE, and a second basic polypeptide factor which is from about 55 to about 63 kD as determined by SDS-page.

Abstract: Disclosed is the characterization and purification of DNA encoding numerous polypeptides useful for the stimulation of glial cell (particularly, Schwann cell mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Also disclosed are DNA sequences encoding novel polypeptides which may have use in stimulating glial cell mitogenesis and treating glial cell tumors. Methods for the synthesis, purification and testing of both known and novel polypeptides for their use as both therapeutic and diagnostic aids in the treatment of diseases involving glial cells are also provided. Methods are also provided for the use of these polypeptides for the preparation of antibody probes useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic use in diseases involving glial cells. The present invention is specifically directed to a method of using a secretable glial growth factor to induce acetycholine receptor synthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode for part or all of glial growth factor molecules, as well as recombinant vectors and transfected cell lines.