The extracts from rat submandibular glands induce the erythroid differentiation of K-562 cells.

The extracts from rat submandibular glands (SMGs) induced erythroid differentiation of K-562. The activity was non-dialysable and abolished by heat, trypsin or 2-mercaptoethanol. Follistatin, which neutralizes the erythroid differentiation factor (EDF), had no effects on this activity. Analysis by gel chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-isoelectric focussing showed that the characteristics of this substance were different from those of erythropoietin, TGF-beta 1, EDF, stem cell factor and insulin-like growth factor-1. These results suggest the presence of a novel substance in rat SMGs which induces erythroid differentiation of K-562.