Quantitative analysis of a nuclear antigen in interphase and mitotic cells

The quantification of an interchromatin-associated antigen, designated p 105, during cellular passage through mitosis is described. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy demonstrated a qualitative increase in p 105 within the mitotic cytoplasm. Multiparameter flow cytometric analysis was performed on fixed cells sequentially stained with anti-p 105 immunofluorescence and/or propidium iodide. This analysis demonstrated approximately a tenfold increase in intracellular p 105 content as a function of progression from the G2 to the M phase. This increase was corroborated by the quantitative immunoblot analysis of colchicine-treated cell cultures and of cells sorted on the basis of anti-p 105 immunofluorescence. The data reveal that the increased levels of anti-p 105 immunofluorescence in conjunction with flow cytometry may be used effectively to quantitate mitotic index and isolate mitotic cells. The function and modulation of p 105 throughout the cell cycle is discussed.