Dna isolated from DNA/anti-DNA antibody immune complexes in systemic lupus erythematosus is rich in guanine-cytosine content.

DNA fragments were isolated from DNA/anti-DNA antibody immune complexes of systemic lupus erythematosus. Hybridization experiments indicated that DNA isolated from immune complexes originates from human nuclear DNA. Two classes of DNA were identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The m.w. of small fragments was 25,000 with 30 to 40 base pairs, and that of large fragments was 100,000 with 150 base pairs. The average guanine-cytosine (G-C) content in the small fragments was 55% of total bases, and that in the large fragments was 45%. Compared with the average 38% G-C content of total human DNA, the antigen DNA is rich in G-C content. Such unusually high G-C content can alter DNA structure, which may serve as the target for antibody production.