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Characterization of the BRCA1-like immunoreactivity of human seminal plasma

Angelopoulou, Katerina ; Borchert, Gudrun ; Melegos, Dimitrios N. ; Lianidou, Evriklia ; Lilja, Hans LU orcid and Diamandis, Eleetherios P. (1999) In Urology 54(4). p.753-762
Abstract

Objectives. The subcellular localization of the breast cancer susceptibility gene product BRCA1 has been controversial. Discrepant results have been reported during the past 3 years, partially because of the unavailability of highly specific reagents for BRCA1 protein. Our objective was to characterize the BRCA1-like immunoreactivity that is detected in human seminal plasma by using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that are supposedly specific for BRCA1 protein. Methods. We used immunologic, chromatographic, and protein sequencing techniques to detect the immunoreactivity of BRCA1 in seminal plasma and to purify and partially identify the immunoreactive species. Results. We present data indicating that two BRCA1 antibodies, SG-11... (More)

Objectives. The subcellular localization of the breast cancer susceptibility gene product BRCA1 has been controversial. Discrepant results have been reported during the past 3 years, partially because of the unavailability of highly specific reagents for BRCA1 protein. Our objective was to characterize the BRCA1-like immunoreactivity that is detected in human seminal plasma by using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that are supposedly specific for BRCA1 protein. Methods. We used immunologic, chromatographic, and protein sequencing techniques to detect the immunoreactivity of BRCA1 in seminal plasma and to purify and partially identify the immunoreactive species. Results. We present data indicating that two BRCA1 antibodies, SG-11 and D-20, which were thought to be free of cross- reactivities, strongly interact with proteins present in human seminal plasma. This crossreactivity is detectable even at seminal plasma dilutions as high as 106-fold, and it is effectively blocked by peptides that capture the binding site of either SG-11 or D-20 antibodies. Purification and characterization of the immunoreactive compound revealed that this consists of a macromolecular complex that contains semenogelins. The D-20 polyclonal antibody was found to cross-react with purified semenogelins I and II; the SG-11 monoclonal antibody appeared to recognize a component of the macromolecular complex that was not semenogelin. Conclusions. Our data demonstrate that the BRCA1 antibodies SG-11 and D-20 strongly interact with seminal plasma proteins and are not highly specific for BRCA1 protein. It is thus suggested that BRCA1 antibodies should be used with caution until reagents free of interference are developed and evaluated. In light of the very high cross-reactivity of the two antibodies with seminal plasma proteins, we recommend that new BRCA1 antibodies should be examined for cross-reactivity with seminal plasma proteins to verify specificity.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Urology
volume
54
issue
4
pages
753 - 762
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:0032868622
  • pmid:10510943
ISSN
0090-4295
DOI
10.1016/S0090-4295(99)00233-2
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
a75edf48-4270-42b2-955e-d148efabd0f2
date added to LUP
2022-12-06 17:43:37
date last changed
2024-01-13 13:53:33
@article{a75edf48-4270-42b2-955e-d148efabd0f2,
  abstract     = {{<p>Objectives. The subcellular localization of the breast cancer susceptibility gene product BRCA1 has been controversial. Discrepant results have been reported during the past 3 years, partially because of the unavailability of highly specific reagents for BRCA1 protein. Our objective was to characterize the BRCA1-like immunoreactivity that is detected in human seminal plasma by using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that are supposedly specific for BRCA1 protein. Methods. We used immunologic, chromatographic, and protein sequencing techniques to detect the immunoreactivity of BRCA1 in seminal plasma and to purify and partially identify the immunoreactive species. Results. We present data indicating that two BRCA1 antibodies, SG-11 and D-20, which were thought to be free of cross- reactivities, strongly interact with proteins present in human seminal plasma. This crossreactivity is detectable even at seminal plasma dilutions as high as 10<sup>6</sup>-fold, and it is effectively blocked by peptides that capture the binding site of either SG-11 or D-20 antibodies. Purification and characterization of the immunoreactive compound revealed that this consists of a macromolecular complex that contains semenogelins. The D-20 polyclonal antibody was found to cross-react with purified semenogelins I and II; the SG-11 monoclonal antibody appeared to recognize a component of the macromolecular complex that was not semenogelin. Conclusions. Our data demonstrate that the BRCA1 antibodies SG-11 and D-20 strongly interact with seminal plasma proteins and are not highly specific for BRCA1 protein. It is thus suggested that BRCA1 antibodies should be used with caution until reagents free of interference are developed and evaluated. In light of the very high cross-reactivity of the two antibodies with seminal plasma proteins, we recommend that new BRCA1 antibodies should be examined for cross-reactivity with seminal plasma proteins to verify specificity.</p>}},
  author       = {{Angelopoulou, Katerina and Borchert, Gudrun and Melegos, Dimitrios N. and Lianidou, Evriklia and Lilja, Hans and Diamandis, Eleetherios P.}},
  issn         = {{0090-4295}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{4}},
  pages        = {{753--762}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Urology}},
  title        = {{Characterization of the BRCA1-like immunoreactivity of human seminal plasma}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0090-4295(99)00233-2}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/S0090-4295(99)00233-2}},
  volume       = {{54}},
  year         = {{1999}},
}