Immunofluorescent Staining of Chromosomes with DNA-Binding Antibodies

Immunofluorescent staining techniques can be used to probe the DNA structure of chromosomes. The primary requirement IS a sequence- or structure-specific antrbody. Most DNA is not immunogeinc, although DNA-binding antibodies are produced spontaneously in the autoimmune drsease systemrc lupus erythematosus (1 ). In general, these antibodies exhtbtt little sequence or structural specificity and, therefore, are not useful for probing chromosomes except perhaps as controls.