No abstract

Mixing chromatographic fractions containing simian virus 40 (SV40) T In this report, we will describe a method for identifying a DNA binding activity in T-antigen-containing fractions which depends upon an interaction of this protein(s) with radioactive DNA. The assay depends upon the observation that unliganded, double-stranded DNA will not be efficiently trapped by a nitrocellulose filter except when bound to a protein that, itself, has affinity for the filter. This method was first employed in the assay of certain bacterial DNA binding proteins such as DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and the lac and X repressors (9-11).The present DNA binding assay has the advantage of being more rapid than the standard complement fixation test. Moreover, with the appropriate application, it may help shed some light on the biological function of T in vivo.