Naturally occurring anti-DNA antibodies from systemic lupus erythematosus patients may be used to study gene expression in vitro.
Anti-B-DNA and anti-Z-DNA antibodies were prepared from the serum of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients by affinity chromatography. The anti-Z-DNA antibodies were shown to exhibit site-specific binding preferences in pBR322 negatively supercoiled (plasmid) DNA, as assayed by restriction-enzyme cleavage. The anti-B-DNA antibodies were found to stimulate in vitro transcription of pBR322, whereas little effect was observed on combination with anti-Z-DNA antibodies. The results support the proposal that the formation of Z-DNA is a down-regulatory mechanism and that the B to Z conformational change may be a flip-flop control for gene expression.
van Helden
P D
PD
Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
Bester
A J
AJ
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000276:immunology*; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology*; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D010957:Plasmids; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D004247:DNA