Immunochemical evidence of a tumor-specific surface antigen obtained by detergent solubilization of the membranes of a chemically induced sarcoma, meth-A.

We reported previously the partial purification of detergent-solubilized specific tumor rejection antigen of a chemically induced sarcoma, Meth-A. During the course of the study, rabbit antiserum against a partially purified specific tumor rejection antigen preparation was raised and rendered specific by in vivo absorption. In this report we show that an antigenic molecule defined by in vivo-absorbed rabbit antiserum, which we tentatively refer to as tumor-specific surface antigen, was solublized by detergent Nonidet P40, and extensive attempts at purification were carried out by a sequence of procedures including gel filtration, isotachophoresis, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The most highly purified tumor-specific surface antigen retained some specific tumor rejection antigen activity, suggesting an association of the two activities. Both antigens were shown to have a molecular weight of about 60,000 and an electrophoretic mobility of alpha-globulin.