Two related glycoproteins, fetuin in species of the order Artiodactyla (cattle, sheep, pig) and α2HS glycoprotein in the human [(1987) Cell Tissue Res. 248, 33–41] have a very specific distribution in the developing brain. We have isolated and determined the first 15 N-terminal residues of a similarly distributed glycoprotein in the developing brain of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). The degree of homology is the same between wallaby glycoprotein and α2HS glycoprotein as between fetuin and α2HS glycoprotein (46%). Antibodies made to synthetic peptides of fetuin were used to identify the wallaby glycoprotein. A polyclonal antibody to the purified glycoprotein was used for immunocytochemical identification of brain cells positive for this protein.
