Rapid method for preparation of nuclei from a mucin-producing solid tumor.

Nuclei were prepared from the human colon mucin-producing tumor GW-39. The method described involves incubation in beta-mercaptoethanol under mild conditions and results in the preparation of nuclei free of the mucin web that initially enmeshes them. A sensitive colorimetric immunoassay was used to confirm that nuclei prepared in this fashion were generally free of contaminating mucin. This method is mild, rapid, and should be applicable to other mucin-producing tumors.