Binding of Human GM-CSF to Synthetic Peptides of the Alpha Subunit of Its Receptor

Abstract

We have synthesized a series of peptides corresponding to portions of the extracellular domain of human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor α subunit (hGM-CSFRα). The sequences were chosen according to the homology between hGM-CSFRα and the growth hormone receptor (GHR) and correspond to the regions reported to form the binding site of the latter receptor. The peptides were examined for their binding activity to hGM-CSF by affinity chromatography on resin-immobilized hGM-CSF and by a solid phase binding assay. Four peptides endowed with hGM-CSF binding activity were identified and the postulated homology between the binding sites of hGM-CSFRα and GHR was confirmed.