Characterization of proteins from chronic lymphocytic leukaemic cells: electrophoretic and immunological approach

The protein composition of cellular fractions (nuclear, mitochondrial, microsomal and cytosolic) from normal and B-chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) cells isolated by differential centrifugation was analysed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Some diversities in electrophoretic characteristics of proteins from various compartments of normal and leukaemic cells were observed, mainly among nuclear proteins. Comparison of nuclear proteins from CLL cells of patients with different stages of the disease revealed that an expression of some specific for leukaemic cells components, especially a polypeptide (MW 46 kD) might be correlated with a stage of CLL. Immunoblotting analysis in the presence of antiserum raised against cancer-associated antigen, described as p65 indicated the association of this particular antigen with a nuclear fraction of leukaemic cells.