RANDOMLY PHOSPHORYLATED POLYSTYRENE DERIVATIVES INTERACT WITH RNA-POLYMERASE-II TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS .1.

Insoluble functional synthetic random copolymers are able to develop a t their surfaces specific interactions with biologic components. Cross linked phosphorylated polystyrene derivatives were previously shown to mimic DNA antigen because they interacted with anti-DNA antibodies fo und in the sera of systemic lupus erythematosus patients. These biospe cific surfaces were postulated to be able to bind other DNA-binding pr oteins such as RNA polymerase II transcription factors. Indeed, these proteins play a major role in gene regulation in mammalian cells. This hypothesis was checked by adsorption and elution of HeLa cell nuclear extracts on a 72% phosphorylated resin. The composition of the eluted fractions were analyzed by electrophoresis, and the biologic activity of the transcription factors was tested using an in vitro transcripti on assay. The results showed that USF, TATA-binding protein (TBP), and TFIIB were specifically adsorbed on the polymer and that all eluted f actors kept their biologic activity. Therefore, randomly phosphorylate d polystyrene derivatives may be useful for the fractionation of RNA p olymerase II transcription factors. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.