The chemical nature of cancer basic protein

Abstract

Experimental evidence is put forward supporting the notion of a cell sensitizing antigen present in all malignant tumours and its restriction to malignant tissue pointed out. In addition to this common tumour specific antigen an antigen apparently present in all tissues, but distinguished from tumour antigen on the basis of its relative activity, is described. Both of these antigens are shown to be, like the encephalitogen of brain, basic proteins of molecular weight 16-18,000 daltons, having proteolipid properties, present on the external surface of the plasma membrane and carrying the cell sensitizing property in a small fragment of the whole protein.