title: An immunochemical examination of acetylaminofluorene-modified poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) in the Z-conformation.
abstract: Immunization of rabbits with a complex of methylated bovine serum albumin and N-2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF)-modified poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC), a polynucleotide that can assume the Z-DNA conformation, yielded several populations of antibodies specific for Z-DNA determinants. The Z-DNA determinants were analyzed by examination of the antisera and of antibody preparations purified on immunoadsorbents. The following was found: AAF-poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) shared Z-DNA determinants in common with poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) in 3.0 M NaCl, poly(dG-m5dC) X poly(dG-m5dC) in 1.5 M NaCl, and brominated poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) in 0.2, 1.5, and 3.0 M NaCl. Included among the antibodies induced by these determinants was a subpopulation whose reaction with brominated poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) was sensitive to increased ionic strength. Another distinct population of antibodies recognized determinants present on AAF-poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC) but not on the other Z-DNAs. Only a small portion of this population was specific for the AAF moiety; the greater part appeared to recognize Z-DNA-associated conformational characteristics that were unique to AAF-poly(dG-dC) X poly(dG-dC). These findings are consistent with the existence of a continuum of Z-DNA determinants, which might be capable of functioning as recognition signals for regulatory DNA-binding proteins.
mesh_terms: D015073:2-Acetylaminofluorene; D001966:Bromine; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D011089:Polydeoxyribonucleotides; C019530:poly(dC-dG); D004247:DNA; D015073:2-Acetylaminofluorene; D001966:Bromine