Polynucleotide specificities of murine monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies.

Three IgM monoclonal anti-DNA antibodies were produced by hybridoma techniques from an MRL-lpr/lpr mouse using denatured DNA (dDNA) as the selection antigen. All three antibodies also bound poly(dT), poly(rA), and the single-stranded random copolymer poly(dI,dT), and each antibody displayed a unique preference for a limited array of other ribo- and deoxyribopolynucleotides based on direct binding as well as inhibition studies. Inability to identify a common primary structure in the polynucleotides reactive with each antibody suggested that higher ordered structures may be important. This notion was supported by the finding that oligomers of thymidine of 25-30 nucleotides or less were ineffective in blocking antibody binding to dDNA or poly(dT). However, deliberate destabilization of putative secondary structures by decreasing counterion concentration and increasing temperature had little effect on antibody binding to poly(dT). Since the antigenic polynucleotides in general contain little known secondary structure and considerable flexibility, antibody binding may be accompanied by local conformational changes in the polynucleotide that result in a better fit to the antibody combining site.