title: Spatial localization of distinct rheumatic disease-associated epitopes and the RNA "cap" of the U1 snRNP particle.
abstract: The spatial organization of two rheumatic disease-associated epitopes and the RNA "cap" structure of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP2) was analyzed both in situ and in vitro by two independent interference immuno-assays. Sm and RNP autoantibodies, associated with systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease, respectively, were used to probe the epitope locations. The Sm epitope on the U1 snRNP structure was localized proximal to the RNP. Experiments with an anti-m7G (mRNA "cap") monoclonal antibody revealed that an in situ association of the Sm and RNP epitopes with the mRNA "cap" structure may exist. Our findings, together with previous observations by others, suggest a model for the spatial arrangement of these rheumatic disease-associated protein epitopes, and the U1 RNA within the U1 snRNP particle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, N. Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Agris
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Boak
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000378:metabolism; D000939:Epitopes / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D012315:RNA Caps / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001324:Autoantigens; D000939:Epitopes; D012315:RNA Caps; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins