alpha-Fetoprotein gene DNA-binding proteins.

The technique of protein blotting was used to study nuclear protein interaction with the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene. The DNA-binding specificity was optimized by varying the amount of competitor DNA and the ionic strength. The specific binding of AFP gene DNA was observed for a set of Morris hepatoma 7777 nuclear proteins. Similar specificity was not seen for these same proteins in liver. In normal rat livers, however, two unique proteins were observed which displayed specific binding. The speculated involvement of these proteins in AFP gene regulation is discussed.