ISSN:
1573-6881
Keywords:
Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA)
;
mitochondrial antigen
;
mitochondrial ATPase
;
primary biliary cirrhosis
;
brown fat mitochondria
;
autoimmune liver diseases
;
inner mitochondrial membrane
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Antimitochondrial antibodies are found in a variety of autoimmune liver diseases, particularly primary biliary cirrhosis. The antigen against which these antibodies are directed is localized on the inner mitochondrial membrane. Earlier work suggested that this antigen was associated with the mitochondrial ATPase. However, we have succeeded in separating the enzyme activity from the antigenic activity using gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography. Furthermore, the antigenic activity is not affected by modulators of ATPase enzymatic activity like aurovertin or oligomycin. The antigenic activity is, however, very susceptible to reagents which block thiol groups. The mitochondrial antigen, in contrast to the ATPase enzyme, is found in high amounts in brown fat mitochondria. Identification of this antigen may help to explain why specific antimitochondrial antibodies arise in the sera of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00743204
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