Noncytolytic extraction of cell surface antigens using butanol.

Incubation of viable tumor cells in single-phase aqueous solutions of 1-butanol releases a subset of peripherally-associated membrane proteins. Among the extracted components are tumor-specific and tumor-associated antigens of several human and experimental neoplasms. The extraction technique is noncytolytic: extracted cells remain viable and proliferate both in vitro and in vivo. Examination of the denuded cells has elucidated several important differences in cell-surface phenotype that have proved useful in studying the biology of such diverse systems as cellular communications and the mechanisms of hematogenous metastasis. It is anticipated that noncytolytic butanol extraction will continue to prove a powerful approach for the isolation and characterization of a variety of cell-surface antigens.