Glycoproteins in Rathke's gland secretions of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi) sea turtles.

1. The Rathke's gland secretions of loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi) sea turtles contain 20 and 10 mg of protein/ml, respectively. The proteins of each species were separated by gel filtration into two major fractions, one (35%) in the excluded volume, and one (50%) with a molecular mass of approximately 55 kDA. 2. The 55 kDa fraction from each species' secretions exhibits a single band on SDS-PAGE (Mr approximately equal to 55,000) and a single amino-terminal sequence. 3. The amino acid compositions of the two 55 kDa proteins are similar, and the first 15 residues of their amino terminus are identical. Both proteins contain glucosamine. 4. Analyses of the amino acid and amino sugar composition of the high molecular weight fractions from the two turtle species also indicate similarities; there are distinct differences between them and their 55 kDa proteins.