Detergent solubilization and partial purification of tumor specific surface and transplantation antigens from SV40-virus-transformed mouse cells.

A solubilization technique employing 0.5% Triton X-100 was developed to obtain both SV40 virus (SV40)-induced tumor-specific surface antigen(s) (TSSA) from SV40-transformed mouse cells, as determined by a serum-mediated microcytolytic assay, and tumor-specific transplantation antigen(s) (TSTA), as determined by in invivo experiments. High yields (approximately 50%) of TSSA were obtained in whole-cell extracts and also after ammonium sulfate fractionation. Additional fractionation of a 30-50% ammonium sulfate fraction by gel exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-150 resulted in two pooled fractions which contained TSSA activity. The first eluted close to the void volume, and the second in the 45,000 molecular weight region. The various TSSA active fractions were also active in vivo TSTA tests. Detergent solubilization provides a suitable technique to recover the SV40-induced antigens in good yield, and apparently in intact form.