A novel B-CLL specific nuclear protein (p44/46)

Our previous results indicated some diversities in electrophoretic patterns of proteins from different cellular fractions, i.e. nuclear, mitochondrial , microsomal and cytosolic isolated from mononuclear cells from the periphe ral blood of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) patients and healt hy donors. Major differences were observed in electrophoretic banding of nu clear proteins from normal and transformed cells, especially in molecular m ass region of 37-52 kDa. Electrophoretically-specific nuclear protein with molecular mass of 44/46 kDa of cells originating from B-CLL patients was us ed for raising polyclonal antiserum. As it was determined by Western blot t echnique (with alkaline phosphatase) obtained antiserum recognized 44/46 kD a antigen of nuclear fraction from B-CLL and acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( ALL) cells, but not from normal ones. Our preliminary data were revealed th at this antiserum shows no crossreactivity with leukemic nuclear proteins o f patients with T cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (T-CLL) and neither wit h nuclear polypeptides from either normal or cancerous (adenocarcinoma) sto mach and colon mucosa. Immunological analysis was shown that higher express ion of this particular antigen seems to correlate with progression of B-CLL . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.