NUCLEAR AUTOANTIGEN P330D CENP-F - A MARKER FOR CELL-PROLIFERATION INHUMAN MALIGNANCIES/

p330d, also known as CENP-F, is a newly characterized cell cycle speci fic nuclear autoantigen which is associated both with the centromeres and the nuclear matrix. It is expressed in low amounts in G0/G1-cells and accumulates in the nuclear matrix during S-phase with a maximum ex pression in G2/M-cells. In the present study we have investigated if p 330d/CENP-F could be used as a marker for proliferation in different h uman malignancies. A flow cytometric method was developed by which p33 0d/CENP-F expression and DNA-content could be assessed on hematopoieti c and solid tumors. Twenty-four different human hematopoietic malignan cies, 12 breast cancers, and several cell Lines were analyzed and the number of p330d/CENP-F positive cells and the S-phase fraction were de termined. The percentage of p330d/CENP-F positive cells correlated wit h the fraction of S-phase cells in all human malignancies tested. Vari ous cell lines revealed a similar cell cycle specific distribution. Th e association of p330d/CENP-F with the nuclear matrix facilitated the flow cytometric analysis of this protein due to its resistance to diff erent preparation and fixation procedures. In summary, p330d/CENP-F se ems to be a potentially valuable proliferation marker which can be app lied to different tumors. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.