Some Functional Properties of the RNP Nucleoplasmic Antigen

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Abstract
The effect of nuclear stimulators and inhibitors on the nuclear contents of nucleoplasmic antigens (ENA) was studied by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Human autoimmune sera, one reacting with RNase-A-sensitive and one with RNase-A-resistant components of ENA in the passive hemagglutination test, were used as indicators of the RNP [ribonucleoprotein] and Sm antigens, respectively. Phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A caused an accumulation of these antigens in normal blood lymphocytes. With pokeweed mitogen, staphylococcal protein A or purified protein derivative the accumulation was apparently restricted to B [bone marrow-derived] cells. .alpha.-Amanitine, 10 .mu.g/ml, prevented the mitogen-induced accumulation of RNP in normal human blood lymphocytes and reduced the contents of this antigen in several lymphoblastoid cell lines and in [human cervical carcinoma] HeLa cells, but did not significantly affect the contents of Sm antigen in any of these cell types. The RNP and Sm nucleoplasmic antigens probably are normal rapid-phase reactants integrated in physiological nuclear mechanisms rather than inert structural constituents of the nuclear matrix or the products of a latent virus.