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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America1972; 69(11); 3327-3330; doi: 10.1073/pnas.69.11.3327

A DNA-binding protein in the serum of certain mammalian species.

Abstract: Various mammalian species contain an anionic serum protein that reacts specifically with native DNA. It is considerably less reactive with single-strand DNA and does not react with monodeoxyribonucleotides, homopolyribonucleotides, or duplexes of homopolyribonucleotides. Synthetic dA.dT was an effective inhibitor of the reaction with native DNA, while Micrococcus luteus DNA and dG.dC were not inhibitory. This protein was encountered in the course of studies on DNA antibodies. Although it reacted with red cells coated with DNA and gave agar precipitation bands, it was clearly distinct from DNA antibodies. It was found in the serum of all animals of a given species, migrated as an alpha-beta globulin, and did not crossreact with gammaglobulins. It reacted with DNA in solution to give precipitation curves that were strongly influenced by changes in ionic strength. The protein was isolated from canine serum by precipitation with DNA and purified to homogeneity, as judged by immunochemical and electrophoretic criteria.A similar protein was found in mink, equine, and other sera, but not in human sera. Previous studies on DNA antibodies in certain experimental animals may have given false positive results due to this protein.
Publication Date: 1972-11-01 PubMed ID: 4628875PubMed Central: PMC389764DOI: 10.1073/pnas.69.11.3327Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article focuses on the discovery and study of an anionic serum protein found in various mammalian species that reacts specifically with native DNA. It was found that this protein does not exist in humans and its presence could impact previous studies on DNA antibodies in certain experimental animals due to potential false positive results.

Primary Findings

  • The study found that many mammalian species contain a specific anionic serum protein that interacts with native DNA. This protein was significantly less reactive with single-strand DNA and did not react with other substances such as monodeoxyribonucleotides, homopolyribonucleotides, or duplexes of homopolyribonucleotides.
  • Synthetic dA.dT contributes to the inhibition of the reaction with native DNA, whilst Micrococcus luteus DNA and dG.dC did not seem to hinder the process.

Distinguishing Features of The Serum Protein

  • This protein was identified during DNA antibody studies. Despite reacting with DNA-coated red blood cells and creating agar precipitation bands, it was expressly distinct from DNA antibodies.
  • Notably, the protein was found in the serum of every animal of a given species examined. It migrated as an alpha-beta globulin and showed no cross-reactivity with gammaglobulins.

Protein Behavior

  • The protein exhibited a strong interaction with DNA in solution to yield precipitation curves, with the results showing considerable modification as the ionic strength was altered.

Isolation and Examination of The Serum Protein

  • Through the use of DNA precipitation, the protein was isolated from canine serum and subsequently purified to homogeneity, as confirmed by immunochemical and electrophoretic criteria.
  • Interestingly, similar proteins were found in other animal serums such as mink and equine,but not in humans. This potentially suggests that studies that have previously been carried out on DNA antibodies using non-human subjects may have given false positive results due to the presence of this protein.

Cite This Article

APA
Thoburn R, Hurvitz AI, Kunkel HG. (1972). A DNA-binding protein in the serum of certain mammalian species. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 69(11), 3327-3330. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.69.11.3327

Publication

ISSN: 0027-8424
NlmUniqueID: 7505876
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 69
Issue: 11
Pages: 3327-3330

Researcher Affiliations

Thoburn, R
    Hurvitz, A I
      Kunkel, H G

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Blood Proteins / isolation & purification
        • Blood Proteins / metabolism
        • Cats
        • Cattle
        • DNA / metabolism
        • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
        • DNA, Single-Stranded / metabolism
        • Dogs
        • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
        • Escherichia coli
        • Haplorhini
        • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests
        • Hemagglutination Tests
        • Horses
        • Humans
        • Immunodiffusion
        • Male
        • Mice
        • Mink
        • Protein Binding
        • Rabbits
        • Salmon
        • Sheep
        • Species Specificity
        • Spermatozoa
        • Thymus Gland

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