Binding of SV40 tumour antigen and Epstein-Barr-virus nuclear antigen to isolated acid-fixed nuclei

SV40 tumour antigen (TA) bound to methanol-acetic-acid-fixed interphase nuclei and metaphase chromosomes. This reaction was visualized by the anti-complement immunofluorescence test. The reaction was negative when the nuclei had been treated with deoxyribonuclease prior to the addition of antigen, or when TA-antibody negative serum had been used. In parallel tests TA and Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen were examined. Both the binding patterns and the optimum conditions for the reaction were similar.