Identification and characterization of a protein associated with the stembody using autoimmune sera from patients with systemic sclerosis.

An autoantibody that binds an antigen localized to the stembody of dividing cells has been identified in a patient with systemic sclerosis. Initially, this antigen is associated with the surface of the metaphase chromosomes. At the onset of anaphase the antigen becomes preferentially associated with the forming stembodies. This association is maintained as furrowing progresses during telophase and continues after the intercellular bridge is released from the daughter cells during G-1. Immunoblots indicate that the epitope detected by immunofluorescence is present on a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 38 kD.