Characterization of a nuclear antigen (Mr 150,000) associated with cell proliferation.

In the course of development of a "library" of monoclonal antibodies to nucleolar proteins, a monoclonal antibody to a nuclear antigen with a molecular weight of 150,000 was obtained. Using this monoclonal antibody as an immunocytochemical probe, low immunofluorescence was demonstrated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes or HL-60 cells treated with retinoic acid. In contrast, a high degree of immunofluorescence was detected in rapidly proliferating human cells (HeLa, Hep-2, HL-60), in Novikoff hepatoma cells, and in phytohemagglutinin-activated human blood lymphocytes. Immunodot blot analysis indicated there were low levels of Mr 150,000 protein in quiescent lymphocytes and increasing amounts after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. The increased level of Mr 150,000 protein thus is associated with cell proliferation.