Solubilisation effect of Nonidet P-40, triton X-100 and CHAPS in the detection of MHC-like glycoproteins

We have analysed the differential solubilisation effect of three detergents on cell-membrane histocompatibility glycoproteins. Two nonionic detergents (Nonidet P-40 and Triton X-100) which are extensively used in the extraction of MHC proteins and a zwitterionic detergent (CHAPS) which is sulphobetaine derivative of cholic acid were used. An AKR (H-2k) derived spontaneous leukaemic cell line--424--was used as the experimental model. In this tumour cell line a class I-like antigen is expressed but not directly detected by cell-binding radioimmunoassay or immunoprecipitation from NP-40 or Triton X-100 solubilised glycoproteins. However, 46 kDa and 12 kDa bands consistent with the classical H-2 class I pattern were seen by SDS-PAGE after immunoprecipitation with the 34.5.8 anti-H-2Dd MoAb using CHAPS solubilised 424 glycoproteins. The H-2Dd-reactive molecule appears to be associated with at least one of the syngeneic class I specificities (H-2Kk, H-2Dk) and not accessible to react with the specific anti H-2Dd MoAb. The detergents NP-40 and Triton X-100 appear to be less efficient than CHAPS in breaking protein-protein interactions. This property of CHAPS permitted the adequate solubilisation of the novel antigen and its direct detection. The results of this study suggest that the alternative use of a non-denaturing zwitterionic detergent may contribute to the detection and characterisation of MHC-related, membrane-bound proteins of tumours and normal cells.