Identification and physicochemical characterization of a tumor-associated antigen from canine transmissible venereal sarcoma.

A tumor antigen associated wtih canine transmissible venereal sarcoma (CTVS) has been identified and partially characterized. The antigen was demonstrated in 3-M KCI and saline extracts of washed CTVS cells. Rabbit anti-CTVS antisera absorbed wih glutaraldehyde cross-linked normal dog serum and pooled homogenates of canine spleen, thymus, lymph node, and liver were used to identify the antigen. The specificity of the rabbit anti-CTVS antiserum for the CTVS antigen was established by use of immunodiffusion, two-dimensional electrophoresis, and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Extracted CTVS antigen was fractionated by Sephadex G-200 chromatography, and the antigen factions were identified with the use of absorbed rabbit anti-CTVS antiserum and the ELISA technique. Antigen activity was detected in samples with estimated molecular weights greater than 70,000 daltons. Antigen fractions reacted with absorbed anit-CTVS antiserum to form a single precipitation band in immunodiffusion studies. Extraction of CTVS antigen with 3 M KCl and saline in the presence of a protease inhibitor did not significantly alter the antigen activity or molecular weight of the CVTS antigen. Cytoplasmic and nucleolar fluorescence were observed in an indirect immunofluorescence test with the use of acetone-fixed CTVS cells and absorbed anti-CTVS antiserum. The CTVs antigen activity was greatly reduced by trypsin digestion, by incubation for 1 hour at 65 degrees C, and by exposure to pH 2.8, 4.0, and 11.0 for 1 hour each.