DNA-binding factors of B lymphoid cells are susceptible to limited proteolytic cleavage during nuclear extract preparation.

DNA-binding proteins that interact with the 3' end of the mouse mu immunoglobulin heavy chain gene were identified by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Complexes of distinctly different mobilities were formed by extracts prepared from B lymphoid lines representing different stages of maturation. The apparent stage-specific differences are shown to be due to proteolytic events that occurred during extract preparation.