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The Fv fragment, a univalent antigen-binding unit with a molecular weight of 25,000, has successfully been prepared in high yield by limited proteolysis with clostripain of a short-chain mouse IgG2a anti-dansyl monoclonal antibody in which the entire CH1 domain is deleted [Igarashi, T., Sato, M., Takio, K., Tanaka, T., Nakanishi, M., & Arata, Y. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 5727-5733]. The Fv fragment obtained is stable at room temperature and retains its full antigen-binding capability. It has been shown that selective deuterium labeling of the Fv fragment, which is half the size of the Fab fragment, provides 1H NMR spectral data at a sufficient resolution for a detailed structural analysis of the antigen-combining site. NOESY spectra of an Fv analogue, in which all aromatic protons except for His C2'-H and Tyr C3',5'-H had been deuterated, were measured in the presence of varying amounts of dansyl-L-lysine. On the basis of the NOESY data obtained, it was possible to assign all the ring proton resonances for the dansyl group that is bound to the Fv fragment. It was also possible to obtain information about His and Tyr residues of the Fv fragment in the absence and presence of the antigen. On the basis of the NMR data obtained, we have shown that at least two Tyr residues along with one of the amide groups are directly involved in antigen binding. The mode of interaction of the dansyl ring with these residues in the Fv fragment has briefly been discussed.

Immunoglobulin- or multiple myeloma-associated amyloidosis has been distinguished by the tissue deposition of Congophilic, fibrillar protein consisting of light chains or light-chain fragments (AL amyloidosis). We now report the isolation and characterization of another form of immunoglobulin-associated amyloid obtained from a patient who had extensive systemic amyloidosis and in whom the amyloid deposits consisted not of light chains but rather of an unusual form of heavy chain. This component, isolated from splenic amyloid extracts, represented an internally deleted IgG1 heavy chain as evidenced by immunochemical, electrophoretic, and amino acid sequence analyses. A comparable immunoglobulin-related monoclonal protein, consisting only of IgG heavy chains, was present in the patient's urine. Based on serologic reactivity with a battery of anti-immunoglobulin antisera, these two immunoglobulin-related components were antigenically identical; however, when compared to normal IgG, both were deficient in Fc-associated gamma-chain determinants. The structural abnormality of the amyloid gamma-chain protein was further evidenced by SDS/PAGE and immuno-blotting analyses: An unusually low molecular mass of approximately 22 kDa was found for this material vs. the expected value of approximately 55 kDa for a normal gamma heavy chain. Despite the lack of certain Fc determinants, the amyloid and urinary heavy-chain proteins expressed the IgG1 subclass allotype marker G1m(a) located on the third constant region (CH3) domain of the internally deleted IgG1 heavy chains. That the amyloid protein contained an intact CH3 domain was established through amino acid sequence analyses of cyanogen bromide fragments and peptides generated by a lysine-specific protease. These studies also revealed that the gamma-chain amyloid protein contained the complete heavy-chain variable (VH) domain [including the diversity (DH) and joining (JH) segments] that was contiguous with the CH3 domain. The low molecular mass of the protein resulted from the total absence of the first (CH1), hinge, and second (CH2) heavy-chain constant regions. Such extensive CH deletions and the presence of a complete VH distinguish this amyloid-associated heavy chain from all other heretofore characterized gamma-heavy-chain disease proteins. This heavy-chain-related form of immunoglobulin-associated amyloidosis is tentatively designated AH amyloidosis.

Human rhinoviruses are the major causative agents of the common cold in humans and have been divided into major and minor groups based on receptor specificity. cDNAs encoding the light and heavy chains of a murine monoclonal antibody that recognizes the major group receptor were cloned, abundantly expressed in Escherichia coli, and renatured into Fab fragments that blocked virus binding and protected HeLa cell monolayers from rhinovirus infection. Elimination of the cysteines normally bridging the heavy and light chains yielded molecules indistinguishable from wild-type Fab fragments in virus binding assays. Single-chain antibodies with covalently linked light and heavy variable domains were also expressed and showed receptor binding and cell protection activities. These recombinant antibody fragments are potentially useful in preventing or treating common colds in humans.

The immunoglobulin of the hagfish, Eptatretus burgeri, one of the most primitive vertebrates extant, was isolated from the serum of non-immune normal adult hagfish in a pure form. Analysis of the immunoglobulin by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under reducing condition indicated that the immunoglobulin was composed of heavy (H) and light (L) chains. The mol. wt of the H-chain was 68,000, slightly smaller than that of the human mu-chain. The L-chain of the immunoglobulin appeared as 2 bands on SDS-PAGE, with mol. wts of 25,000 and 22,000. These findings were confirmed by gel filtration of reduced-alkylated immunoglobulin in 5 M guanidine-HCl. The H:L molar ratio of the immunoglobulin was roughly 1:1. Gel filtration of the immunoglobulin in non-dissociating buffer indicated that the mol. wt of the intact immunoglobulin was 150,000-160,000. Thus, the subunit chain composition of the immunoglobulin was assumed to be H2L2, identical with the fundamental structure of immunoglobulins. The instability of the hagfish immunoglobulin was ascertained by the fact that it dissociated into heterogeneous mol. wt components ranging from approx. 90,000 to 160,000 upon SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions. However, almost no free or monomeric H- or L-chains were dissociated from the immunoglobulin by this procedure and also by gel filtration in 5 M guanidine-HCl. Theses results indicated that the hagfish immunoglobulin is unusually labile in its tertiary structure but has disulfide binding between at least more than 2 subunit chains.

Postmortem fixed tissue sections of the lymphoid and digestive systems of eight consecutive leukemic patients dying of various diseases after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) were analyzed for the presence of the heavy chains gamma, alpha, mu, delta, and epsilon and light chains kappa and lambda, with the use of a standard immunoperoxidase method. Two distinct types of plasma cell populations were found. The first type was a widely distributed polyclonal plasma cell population, lacking IgD-positive plasma cells and germinal centers. The second type of plasma cell population, found in 6 of 8 patients, was a group of monoclonal plasma cell populations positive for the heavy chains gamma, alpha, mu, or delta. Recent immunohistologic observations of the human lymph node suggest that the first type of polyclonal plasma cell population could arise from a nonspecific expansion of sIgM+, sIgD- B lymphocytes. The lack of germinal centers, a structure closely involved in specific-antibody production, may correlate with the poor specific-antibody response documented in patients after BMT. The monoclonal plasma cell populations, found with an unexpectedly high frequency, are probably related to a functional T-cell defect.

Procedures are described for the isolation and purification of turkey immunoglobulins. Partial characterization of IgM and IgG is presented. Purification was by Sephadex G-200 and DEAE chromatography. IgM and IgG had respective average S values of 16.8-16.9 and 7.4 with 5-20% sucrose density gradients. Selective absorption of turkey sera, containing Mycoplasma meleagridis antibodies, by heavy-chain specific antisera and antibody absorption and elution studies demonstrated IgM and IgG to have activity against M. meleagridis. Information is presented on the distribution of IgM and IgG in body fluids. Evidence for the presence of a 16.1 S molecule believed to be IgA is discussed.

A deletion of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) pseudo-gamma, gamma-2, gamma-4, epsilon, and alpha-2 constant region gene segments was found to segregate unchanged in three generations of a family. The IgG1 locus on the IgH allele carrying the deletion was expressed to the same extent as its normal counterpart. One individual who was heterozygous for the deletion had an IgG2 deficiency, whereas the four other heterozygous individuals had serum levels of IgG2 and IgG4 within the normal ranges. IgA2 levels were low or below the normal range in all heterozygous individuals. The data indicate that the expression of some Ig isotypes can be decreased by hemizygous deletions, possibly due to a lower probability for switching.

Hyperimmune horse serum from a single animal (horse 46) immunized with group B (strain B-11) meningococcal vaccine provides a standardized, readily available diagnostic reagent used in primary isolation medium and for serogrouping of meningococci. Identification of the heavy-chain isotypes of specific anticapsular polysaccharide and anti-lipopolysaccharide isolated from horse 46 serum revealed a differential distribution in the occurrence of immunoglobulin classes. Meningococcal anticapsular antibodies of horse 46 serum were restricted predominately to the immunoglobulin M (IgM) class, with only trace amounts of IgGa present, whereas anti-lipopolysaccharide concomitantly produced showed a heterogeneity in its heavy-chain isotypes, consisting of IgM, IgGa, IgGb, moderate amounts of IgB, and a small amount of IgA.

The entire variable-region sequence of the heavy chain from ABE-47N, a BALB/c inulin-binding myeloma protein, has been determined. This protein is unusual in that the third complementarity region (H3) is extremely short, consisting of at the most three and probably only one amino acid. A comparison of the heavy-chain hypervariable regions from mouse, human, and rabbit proteins shows that the variability in length of H3 is greater than that seen in the first or second hypervariable regions. This variability in H3 length suggests a specialized function for this region.

Complementary DNA of human IgE Fc epsilon fragment (residues 226-480) lacking the C epsilon 4 domain was expressed in Escherichia coli and the product was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography on a monoclonal antibody (E12 0.02)-Affi-Gel 10 column. About 1.8 mg of an apparent dimer and 5.9 mg of a monomer were obtained from 65 g E. coli cells with 9.3% recovery. The purified products were found to lack more than half of the COOH-terminal portion of the C epsilon 3 domain. The apparent dimer showed high immunological specific activity (3.6 x 10(6) U/mg protein) comparable to that of natural human IgE when measured by commercial human IgE determination kits.

Eight full length cDNA were isolated from EBV transformed human PBL derived from different normal individuals. Five were derived from antibodies with the characteristics of natural polyreactive antibodies. Three were either monoreactive or bireactive. The most striking feature of the structure of these molecules was their utilization of VH families. Although three used the large VHIII family and one used the large VHI family, the other four used genes derived from two of the recently defined small human VH families VHIV and VHV. Three of the molecules represent VHIV expressed sequences and one is the first example of a VHV gene used in an antibody of defined specificity. The nucleotide sequences of some of the molecules were remarkably similar in their VH gene segments to previously described VH genes. The data suggest that natural autoantibodies may use a restricted portion of the VH repertoire, and, in addition, that some polyreactive antibodies may be germ line encoded. The implication of these findings for the origin and diversity of the human B cell repertoire is discussed.

The complete sequence of the rat immunoglobulin gamma 2c heavy chain constant region has been determined by cDNA cloning and by mRNA sequencing. Comparison with other heavy chain genes reveals a high degree of homology (87%) to mouse gamma 3 and suggests that rat and mouse gamma genes separated from a common set of three ancestral genes.

The isolation, purification and characterization of the rat IR-731 monoclonal immunoglobulin is reported. The molecule is IgD-like, as appreciated from immunochemical and biochemical characteristics. H and L chains, Fab and Fc tryptic fragments have been isolated, analyzed, and partial sequence data have been obtained, including most cysteyl-containing peptides. The heavy chain contains a deletion which encompasses most of the CH2 domain and the beginning of the CH2 domain, and observation which does not reflect the intron-exon organization depicted for some murine heavy chains at the gene level. Basic structural features of the hinge region of the IgD molecule (extreme susceptibility to proteolytic enzymes, presence of basic amino acids near its COOH-terminus) have been found for the IR-731 molecule. In addition, partial sequence of the light chains points to the existence of K subgroups in the rat. Very limited amino acid changes have been identified in the K constant region, suggesting a possible--but limited--polymorphism which might be isotypic and/or allotypic in nature.

Sea star factor (SSF) harvested from the echinoderm Asterias forbesi celomocytes is a potent inhibitor of the primary immune response to T-dependent antigens and also suppresses concanavalin-A-induced mitogenesis. We have isolated and purified a basic protein from this source which has a molecular weight of approximately 38, 000 daltons and is responsible for these biological activities. After complete reduction, SSF was shown to be composed of a single pair of heavy and light chains. Preincubation of spleen cells with concanavalin A does not inhibit binding of SSF; however, specific binding can be inhibited by preincubation with unlabeled SSF. These data suggest that the binding site for SSF is not the same as that for concanavalin A.

In this final paper the complete primary structure of the H-chain of immunoglobulin Nie (IgG1, Gm1+, 17+) is established by overlapping tryptic fragments with chymotryptic peptides. The preceding papers dealt with the purification of the protein, the characterization of the light and heavy chains, the purification and characterization of the cyanogen bromide cleavage products, the location of the disulfide bonds, the isolation of the tryptic peptides and their sequence determination. The gamma1-chain Nie comprises 448 amino acid residues. When the protein is compared with other H-chains, the switch from the variable to the constant part occurs at position 119/120. Based on the amino acid sequence of the variable part, protein Nie belongs to subgroup III of the H-chains. It was the first protein of this subgroup to be sequenced. In the meantime several other proteins are known which have been assigned to the same subgroup on the basis of linked amino acid exchanges in comparison to members of other subgroups. This confirms the evolutionary origin of antibody variability and hence the genetically fixed antibody specific. Furthermore protein Nie is the first completely determined chain with the genetic factors Gm1+, 17+. These factors are inherited codominantly and are localized on the constant part of the gamma1-chain. By comparison with protein Eu, which is Gml-, 4+ and therefore an allele of Nie, these serologically defined factors are correlated with Eu. Besides the amino acid exchanges caused by the Gm-factors we elucidated a series of differences to the constant part of the protein Eu. These differences include 6 amide postions and the sequence from residues 387 to 391. Using the structure of IgG1 Nie as an example some rules for the evolution of immunoglobulin sequences have been described. In particular the "elongation-rule" and the "Disulfide-rule" are discussed. While chain-elongation of the H-chains can simply be explained by repeated gene duplications of a basic unit containing ca 110 amino acids, the location of disulfide bonds is determined partly by gene duplication, which implies multiplication of evolutionary "old" cystein residues and partly by the relatively recent acquisition of "new" cystein in appropriate sites. Most evident is the origin of the "hindge-region" by partial gene duplication on the C-terminal residues of the first homology region.

The mouse myeloma MOPC 315 cell line synthesizes and secretes IgA (lambda 2) immunoglobulin. A spontaneously arising variant of the MOPC 315 line, which had been isolated as apparently oversecreting IgA protein, has been characterized. The variant line has been shown to synthesize and secrete increased levels of heavy chain, light chain, and J chain polypeptide compared to the parental wild-type cells from which it was isolated. The steady-state levels of cytoplasmic mRNA for these polypeptides are increased commensurately in the over-producing line. For the heavy chain, enhanced transcription, and possibly increased gene dosage, appear to be involved. The increased levels of the three individual immunoglobulin polypeptide chains suggest that the variant line displays a coordinate regulation of expression of immunoglobulin genes.

Intact Cmicron4-domain was isolated by molecular exclusion chromatography of reduced and alkylated Fc5 micron prepared by tryptic digestion at 60 degrees C of a monoclonal IgM. Two fragments were obtained of which one contained carbohydrate and the other none. These fragments were successfully separated by chromatography on insolubilised Concanavalin A. Cmicron4-domain was identified by means of amino acid sequence, amino acid composition, molecular weight and immunological analyses. It has a molecular weight of 14,700 daltons and results from tryptic cleavage at Lys-445 of the micron-chain.

The arrangement of disulfide bonds joining secretory component (SC) to the alpha chains in secretory IgA was studied by determining the molecular size of the principal fragments resulting from CNBr digestion of secretory dimeric Fc fragments from IgA (Fc)2alpha fragments). In vitro complexes formed by incubating 125I-free SC and myeloma 131I-(Fc)2alpha fragments were isolated by gel filtration and subsequently digested with cyanogen bromide. The CNBr digests of SC-(Fc)2alpha fragments were analyzed by gel filtration in 5 M guanidine. Two principal fragments were obtained, one containing a monomeric Fc fragment from IgA (Fcalpha) associated with SC (m.w. congruent to 110,000) and a second containing the second Fcalpha monomer (m.w. congruent to 50,000) from the dimeric SC-(Fc)2alpha. Similar results were obtained when secretory (Fc)2alpha fragments isolated from native secretory IgA dimer were subjected to CNBr digestion. The data indicate that SC is disulfide bonded to a single monomer subunit in secretory IgA dimer.

We have used synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding to human VH sequences to analyze sequence variation in human genomic DNA. By using probes 20 to 24 bp long and conditions of hybridization and washing under which identity in 17 to 21 consecutive bp is required for hybridization, it has been possible to dramatically reduce the complexity of hybridization patterns. We have been able to identify unambiguously individual VH elements. Concomitant with the reduction in overall complexity of hybridization patterns has been a marked increase in the variation between hybridization patterns when different individuals are compared. Variation between individuals was detected using probes corresponding to both framework and complementarity determining regions and depended in part on the complexity of the corresponding VH gene family. Probes corresponding to a cDNA clone belonging to the single-member VH6 family, hybridized to a single, invariant, band in all individuals tested. An oligonucleotide probe corresponding to CDR2 of one member of the VH3 family also detected a single, invariant, band in all individuals tested. However, an oligonucleotide probe corresponding to framework region 2 revealed variants of more than 40% of the 22 VH elements it detects. In addition, a panel of 5 oligonucleotide probes corresponding to a second member of the VH3 family revealed variants of 10 of 14 elements detected. The patterns of variation suggest that some VH elements have multiple alleles, whereas some elements are remarkably conserved. The number of variant elements we have detected is evidence that the haplotype arrangement of the human VH locus is probably extremely complex. Importantly, this heterogeneity may contribute directly to disease susceptibility in man.

Rheumatoid factors (RFs) in humans have been studied intensively because of their association with autoimmune and lymphoproliferative diseases. Many human IgM-RFs express cross-reactive idiotypes (CRIs) and have homologous light chains, some of which are encoded by a single V kappa gene, termed V kappa 325. However, although antibody activity generally requires the interaction between heavy and light chain variable regions, much less is known about structural relationships among RF heavy chains. To delineate further the structural and genetic basis of RF autoantibody synthesis, we generated "sequence-dependent" reagents specific for the human heavy and kappa light chain subgroups, and used them to analyze a panel of 27 monoclonal RFs. In addition, these proteins were tested for the expression of a heavy chain-associated CRI (G6), and a light chain-associated CRI (17.109). The results showed that most 17.109-reactive RFs contain heavy chains of the VHI subgroup, which bear the G6 idiotypic marker. However, among the 14 17.109-reactive RFs, two have heavy chains of the VHII subgroup, and another two contain heavy chains of the VHIII subgroup. Previously, we have shown that 17.109 is a phenotypic marker of the human V kappa 325 gene. Accordingly, these results demonstrate that the same human V kappa gene can combine with several VH genes from different VH gene subgroups to generate RF activity.

The genetic basis for the expression of a latent VH allotype in the rabbit was investigated. VH region cDNA libraries were produced from spleen mRNA derived from a homozygous a2a2 rabbit expressing an induced latent VHa1 allotype and, for comparison, from a normal homozygus a1a1 rabbit expressing nominal VHa1 allotype. The deduced amino acid sequences of the nominal VHa1 cDNA were concordant with previously published VHa1 protein sequences. A comparison of two complete VH-DH-JH and six partial VHa1 sequences reveals highly conserved sequence within VH framework regions (FR) and considerable diversity in complementarity-determining regions and D region sequences. Two functional JH genes or alleles are evident. Amino acid sequencing of the N-terminal 15 residues of pooled affinity-purified latent VHa1 H chain showed complete sequence identity with the nominal VHa1 sequences. Possible latent VHa1-encoding cDNA clones, derived from the a2a2 rabbit, were selected by hybridization with oligonucleotide probes corresponding to the VHa1 allotype-associated segments of the first and third framework regions (FR1 and FR3). cDNA sequence analysis reveals that the 5' untranslated regions of nominal and latent VHa1 cDNA were virtually identical to each other and to previously reported sequences associated with VHa2 and VHa-negative genes. Moreover, some latent VHa1 genes encode FR1 segments that are essentially homologous to the corresponding segment of a nominal VHa1 allotype. In contrast, other putative latent genes display blocks of VHa1 sequence in either FR1 or FR3 that are flanked by blocks of sequence identical to other rabbit VH genes (i.e., VHa2 or VHa-negative). These composite sequences may be directly encoded by composite germ-line VH genes or may be the products of somatically generated recombination or gene conversion between genes encoding latent and nominal allotypes. The data do not support the hypothesis that latent genes are the result of extensive modification by somatic point mutation.

Sheep lymphocyte poly(A+) RNA was used as a template for the enzymatic synthesis of cDNA before cloning into the expression vector lambda gt11. Screening of the cDNA library with mAb probes resulted in the isolation of two recombinant phages containing Ig coding sequences of 704 bp and 925 bp. These were inserted into the EcoRI site of pUC18 and named pSLC (sheep Ig L chain) and pSHC (sheep Ig H chain). The insert in pSLC revealed sequence homology by using GenBank to lambda L chain and pSHC revealed sequence homology to IgG sequences from various species. The L chain cDNA contained the full translation sequence and 5' and 3' nontranslating region while the H chain cDNA coded for the secreted form of IgG1 and lacked sequences upstream from the C region. The derived amino acid sequences showed significant homology with various Ig sequences already described for human, mouse, rabbit, pig, and chicken but the degree of homology showed no consistency with established phylogenetic relationships.

Several components of catodic electrophoretic migration in serum and urine are present in normal individuals and in rabbit serum. There also exists in man and in some animals, serum fractions of low molecular weight. These types of serum components may be or may not be related with the IgG. In a previous study we have isolated two components in the slow catodic electrophoretic area of the normal human serum (NHS). One of them was identified as an IgG subclass and the other component presented a clear line of precipitation to gamma heavy chain specific immuno-serum. This latter component was found in the post gamma-globulin area crossing the IgG arc in the I.E. analysis. Its molecular weight was variable from 3700 to 9500. In this paper a differential analysis of the gamma fragment isolated for us, is made and its relationship with Fc subfragments of pepsin-digested IgG is studied. In order to obtain this comparative study, the electrophoresis, gel diffusion immunoelectrophoresis gel chromatography and analytic ultracentrifugation techniques are employed. The post-gammaglobulin fraction has been isolated from total normal human serum without previous manipulation, or with the gammaglobulin fraction precipitated with saturated ammonium sulphate, in Sephadex G-200 chromatography. These two fractions present similar immunelectrophoretical characteristics. The constant sedimentation is 0.90 S and the approximated molecular weight is 7000. Since the pepsin digestion of IgG produced Fc subfragments of low molecular weight, we have isolated and submitted this immunoglobulin to peptic digestion. The G-75 Sephadex filtration shows an isolated post-gamma-globulin of I.E. sedimentation constant and molecular weight whose characteristics are similar to the isolated serum post-gammaglobulin fraction. The antigenical analysis in I.D. shows a total identity between the pepsin digested post-gammaglobulin and the fragment obtained for us from the human serum to an anti-heavy gamma chain immuno-serum and to a rabbit serum anti-fraction produced for us. These events suggest that this isolation post-gamma-globulin fraction corresponds to a Fc subfragment of the IgG.

By sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the heavy chain of the serum immunoglobulin (IgM) of the goldfish (Carassius auratus) differs not only from other studied vertebrate serum IgM heavy chains, but also from other vertebrate lymphocyte membrane IgM heavy chains including those from the goldfish itself. This difference, an increase in apparent Mr of approximately 5000, was investigated by assessing in comparison with the IgM heavy chain of human and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) the following properties: (1) molecular size by gel filtration in denaturing buffers; (2) carbohydrate content, by direct analysis; (3) intrinsic net charge, by isoelectric focusing; (4) net hydrophobicity, deduced from amino acid analysis; and (5) sodium dodecylsulfate binding by direct measurement. Results indicate that goldfish IgM heavy chain is indistinguishable from other IgM heavy chains in terms of (a) its gel-filtration behavior in denaturing conditions, (b) its carbohydrate content (which is similar to trout IgM heavy chain) and (c) its intrinsic net charge and hydrophobicity. However, goldfish IgM does differ from the other proteins studied in its detergent-binding ability and it is this behavior that is concluded to be the cause of its unusual mobility in sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Molecular weight of heavy chains of immunoglobulin G typical of cancer is studied immunoglobulin and may be responsible for manifestation of certain anomalous acid and peptide composition of this protein heavy chains as compared with immunoglobulin G in blood serum of healthy people. Immunochemical methods helped detecting an antigenic determinant (or determinants) which is arranged in the heavy chains of the studied immunoglobulin and may be responsible for manifestation of certain anomalous properties of cancer-typical immunoglobulin G molecules. A set of bromo-cyanogenic fragments differing from the spectrum of these fragments in the heavy chains of normal immunoglobulin G is formed following a specific chemical effect of bromo-cyanogen on the heavy chains of immunoglobulin G typical of cancer. Essential differences are found in dancyl-fingerprints of the heavy chains of the compared proteins. Everything mentioned is a result of changes in the primary structure of the heavy chains of immunoglobulin G typical of cancer.

Three mouse mAb were derived which identified different populations of the approximately 700,000-Da tetrameric Ig of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Immunoprecipitation analyses using the three mAb in various combinations showed that the catfish Ig population identified by each mAb was antigenically distinct. Each Ig population contained both classes of catfish L chains (F and G). Solid-phase binding assays indicated that the mAbs preferentially identified H chains rather than L chains. Comparative peptide mapping analyses of the H chains defined by each mAb indicated that H chains were different, although each had the same apparent mass (approximately 70,000 Da). This structural distinction was not based upon allotypic variation because the analysis of the serum from individual catfish showed the presence of each H chain in fish examined. Therefore, the different H chains represent different isotypes; each representing approximately 20% of the total serum Ig. There is at least one undefined additional H chain isotype found in the serum Ig population. Partial sequence information was obtained on the first variable framework region (FR1) of two of the three H chain isotypes. These results indicated that the variable region associated with each isotype was heterogeneous; two and sometimes three different residues were represented in the majority of positions. The sequence information also showed that the FR1 of one H chain was distinct from the other; there was less than a 50% match of the primary residues. The analyses suggest that the V region genes which code for the FR1 are differently associated with each H chain isotype. Finally, the relative levels of the three H chain isotypes were monitored during the temporal immune response of individual catfish to the dinitrophenyl hapten. These results indicated that one H chain isotype was preferentially expressed early in the immune response (approximately 3 wk) and remained the predominantly expressed isotype during the humoral immune response.

Rearrangements of T cell receptor beta and gamma chain (T beta and T gamma) genes were analyzed by Southern blot method in samples from 30 patients with adult T cell leukemia (ATL) and 17 patients with non-ATL T cell neoplasms. The DNA probes used were the constant and joining region of T beta gene and the joining region of T gamma gene. Rearranged bands of T beta gene on one or both allelic chromosomes were detected in all neoplastic T cells, even those of smoldering ATL, in which only a small percentage of peripheral blood T cells were detected as leukemic. T gamma gene was rearranged in the cells of all but one patient, the exception being one ATL patient. In order to test whether any given variable region (V) of T beta gene was expressed in ATL cells, two functionally rearranged V beta sequences of ATL were compared with a V beta sequence from T cells acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. No significant homologies were noted among the three deduced gene product amino acid sequences, confirming that T beta molecules of ATL cells contained no specific structures in common. The observed heterogeneity of T beta and T gamma gene rearrangements in ATL cells further supported these findings.

Ultrastructural characterization and localization of intracellular immunoglobulin in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a patient with hairy cell leukemia were studied by the direct immunoperoxidase technique. Approximately 20--30% of hairy cells stained positive for gamma-heavy and K-light chains, and this staining was limited to certain rough endoplasmic reticulum profiles. These ultrastructural findings can be considered an additional argument for the B cell origin of hairy cells.

This study was designed to define the relative distribution of lymphocytes (Lc) and plasma cells (Pc) and the nature of cell-associated immunoglobulins (Ig), IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, and IgE, and IgG subclasses IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4, in gingiva from patients with periodontosis (juvenile periodontitis). The patient population consisted of nine persons, eight males and one female between the ages of 18 and 20. Gingival tissues were obtained from the interproximal area associated with either the maxillary or mandibular first molar and the adjacent premolar (autologous control). Histologic and immunofluorescent quantitation of Ig bearing Lc and Ig positive Pc was assessed using 10 consecutive serial sections (3-4 micrometer) from each specimen. Periodontosis lesions were associated with pockets ranging from 6.0 to 11.0 mm and exhibited a mean G.I. = 0.5 Plasma cells were the predominant inflammatory cell present. The quantity and distribution of inflammatory cells increased with clinical severity. Autologous gingival biopsies from areas with a G.I. - 1.0, and pocket depths equal to a mean = 2.6 mm, contained numerous Lc and Pc. Seventy-six percent of the Pc in periodontosis lesions lacked demonstrable cytoplasmic heavy chain Ig determinants typical of such cells. The predominant Ig staining cells present were IgG followed by IgA and IgM. Autologous gingival biopsies contained predominantly Ig-negative Lc and very few Ig-positive Pc. Plasma cells in periodontosis lesions exhibited marked reactivity to kappa and lambda anti-light chain antiserum. The absence of heavy chains in Pc in periodontosis lesions may be another manifestation of the overall pattern of cellular and humoral abnormalities in periodontosis patients.

Protein electrophoresis in a 9-yr-old Libyan boy suffering from intestinal alpha chain disease showed a conspicuous peak in the gamma region. Examination in immunoelectrophoresis with monospecific antisera against IgA revealed a quantitatively important monoclonal gradient. The heavy chain protein in serum, urine and duodenal juice was further analysed immunologically in double diffusion, antigen-antibody crossed electrophoresis and biochemically in gel filtration experiments and SDS PAGE. By these techniques alpha 1 chain aggregates of different molecular weight could be found. Immunofluorescence examination of small intestine biopsies showed abundant plasma cells containing alpha heavy chains but no light chains.

A method was developed for the preparation of a proteolytic fragment of rabbit secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) which contains the variable region of the alpha-chain; this fragment is suitable for primary-sequence studies. The serologically defined subclasses of sIgA are shown to correlate partially with the nature of the binding of a constituent chain of sIgA, called secretory piece. Data are also presented on the relative resistance of sIgA to enzymic and reductive cleavage, compared with immunoglobulin G.

A group of hybridoma antibodies that recognize structurally overlapping epitopes on the influenza virus hemagglutinin have been analyzed for the sequence of their immunoglobulin heavy and light chain variable regions. All VH regions derive from the same gene family, and only two Vk genes, from different families, are involved. The repetitive and restricted use of these variable region genes indicates that considerable structural requirements influence the generation of antibodies specific for this region of the hemagglutinin. The degree of amino acid variability which is permissive for interaction with this region suggests that two thirds of the possible replacement mutations may abolish either antibody function or specificity. Analysis of the somatic mutation which occurred in the individual antibodies indicates that the light chains acquired replacement mutations at the rate predicted for random mutation. The heavy chains, however, accumulated a 3-fold excess of replacement mutations over that predicted for random accumulation, correlating with the dominant role they apparently play in determining fine differences in the specificity of these antibodies. The effect of somatic mutation on the clonal amplification and diversification of these B cell lineages is discussed.

A fragment corresponding to most of the variable domain of the rabbit heavy chain (VH) was obtained by tryptic digestion of the midly reduced and aminoethylated heavy chain from rabbit antibody 3T72. The domain size peptide was purified by gel filtration and shown to extend between residues 11(Leu) and 122(Lys) of the heavy chain by sequence analysis. The molecular size of the fragment (approximately 11 000) was determined by gel filtration under denaturing conditions. Under nondenaturing conditions (20 mM sodium acetate, pH 5.5, 0.1 M NaCl), however, the fragment exists as a mixture of monomeric and dimeric species. The varable-domain fragment retains the allotypic determinants of the heavy chain (a1), as shown by double diffusion on agar plates and radioimmunoassay. Upon recombination of the heavy-chain variable-domain fragment with its homologous light chain, partial recovery of specific binding activity toward the SIII polysaccharide antigen was demonstrated. The method reported here is reproducible (with yields varying between 40 and 60%) and may provide a general method for obtaining the variable region of the heavy chain for antigen binding and allotypic and amino acid sequence studies.

After the cleavage of disulfide bonds of macroglobulin isolated from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), an electrophoretically fast-moving polypeptide, which resembled human J chain, was released. On a Sephadex G-200 column equilibrated in 5 M guanidine, the elution position of the J chain overlapped with the descending part of the L chain peak. Further purification was achieved by DEAE ion-exchange chromatography. The isolated polypeptide, which had a molecular weight of 14,800 +/- 500, as determined ultracentrifugally by sedimentation equilibrium in 5 M guanidine, contained 7% carbohydrate with one residue of fucose, two of mannose, one of galactose, two of glucosamine, and one of sialic acid per chain. A comparison of catfish and human J chain amino acid analyses showed the former to have a higher content of serine, glycine, and phenylalanine and a lower content of aspartic acid, isoleucine, and arginine. Tryptic peptide maps of catfish and human J chains revealed very few common peptides. Rabbit and guinea pig antisera to human J chain did not cross-react with catfish J chain. Untreated, resuced and alkylated, S-sulfonated, or cyanogen bromide cleaved macroglobulin from the gar (Lepisosteus osseus) contained no polypeptide analogous to either catfish or human J chain by the criteria employed in this study.

Cytotoxic T cell (CTL) recognition of influenza virus in conjunction with HLA-A2 was examined in a population study. Virus-infected target cells from three unrelated A2-positive donors were not lysed by virus-immune CTL from any donor matched only for A2. The A2 antigens of these three donors were indistinguishable from the A2 antigens of other A2-positive donors as assessed by extensive serologic analyses; however, isoelectric focusing (IEF) of A2 molecules from these three donors demonstrated that their A2 heavy polypeptide chains are structurally distinct from those of "normal" A2-positive donors. To date 11% of all A2-positive donors tested exhibited a "variant" A2-associated CTL restriction antigen, and IEF of A2 heavy chains from all "variant" A2-positive cells revealed structural differences in each of these polypeptides. These results suggest there may be considerably greater polymorphism of HLA-A gene products than has been revealed by current serologic techniques.

Binding of fluorescyl ligand by five IgG anti-fluorescyl hybridoma proteins (4-4-20, 6-10-6, 20-4-4, 20-19-=1, 20-20-3) was examined. Relative reduction in fluorescence of bound fluorescein, deuterium oxide (D2O)-induced enhancement of fluorescence, and the effects of pH on binding kinetics were measured for each clone. Individual hybridoma proteins (all of which bind fluorescein with relatively high affinity) exhibited significant differences in the relative contribution of various forces (hydrophobicity, hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions) to binding and hence, affinity. The extent of such variations in binding mechanisms among monoclonal antibodies binding the same hapten is indicative of the extreme functional diversity of active sites. In addition, ligand binding by clone 20-20-3 was examined in greater detail. ABsorption spectra of ligand bound by purified intact antibody, Fab fragments, and reassociated heavy and light chains indicated that protonation of the fluorescyl ligand by a residue within the active site contributed significantly to the binding free energy. Comparative dissociation rates of fluorescein and a structural analog, rhodamine 110, were used to quantitatively substantiate the contribution of this interaction. Association and dissociation rate studies with fluorescein and antibody indicated that: 1) the active site appeared to undergo a conformational change upon ligand binding, and 2) neither intact disulfides nor intersite cooperativity affected the dissociation rate of bound ligand. Observed mechanisms of ligand binding are discussed in terms of proposed mechanisms of antibody affinity maturation and diversity.

T6 and M241 antigens are products of the Class I major histocompatibility complex. The T6 and M241 antigens can be detected on human cortical thymocytes and on dendritic cells in the skin by monoclonal antibodies. Here we report a method of purification of the T6 and M241 antigens. Amino acid sequence data of purified antigens indicate that the heavy chains are blocked at their N-termini, whereas the partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the light chains is identical to that of the human beta 2-microglobulin. In order to obtain sequence data from the heavy chains a method is described for isolation of purified cyanogen bromide fragments by electrophoretic methods.

Two rabbit germ-line VH gene segments have been isolated from a recombinant phage DNA library. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicates that both of the genes share structural and regulatory features common to mouse and human VH genes, although one appears to be a pseudogene. Comparison of the protein sequences encoded by these genes to the protein sequences of rabbit immunoglobulin V regions indicates that both genes encode VH a-negative-like molecules. Quantitative genomic blot analysis with a VH probe capable of recognizing most, if not all, germ-line VH genes indicates that there are approximately 100 VH genes in the haploid genome of rabbits. The average spacing between the germ-line VH genes was determined to be approximately 6 kb. The molecular basis for the allelic inheritance of rabbit VH allotypes is discussed in view of the structural organization of germ-line VH genes.

We have investigated the process of protein glycosylation in an attempt to answer the question of whether glucosamine and mannose are added to nascent chains prior to chain completion or only to completed chains after release from the ribosome. The MPC 11 mouse plasmacytoma cell line used in these studies synthesizes a glycosylated gamma2b heavy chain which accounts for 12% of the total protein synthesis. Nascent chains were separated from completed chains by ion-exchange chromatography of solubilized ribosomes on QAE-Sephadex. Our results indicate that both glucosamine and mannose are incorporated into nascent heavy chains prior to chain completion and release from the ribosome. Gel analysis of specifically immunoprecipitated nascent chains indicates that the carbohydrate moiety can be added to the nascent heavy chains very soon after the presumptive asparaginyl glycosylation site (CH2 domain) is synthesized on the ribosome.

The basis for rheumatoid factor (RF) production in autoimmune or lymphoproliferative diseases cannot be understood without defining the molecular factors that dictate RF structure and specificity. Recently three different mAb (6B6.6, 17.109, and G6) have been developed that define cross-reactive idiotypes (CRI) on intact L or H chains of human monoclonal RF cryoglobulins. However, the true incidence of these CRI among RF and their relationship to each other have not been delineated. In the present experiments, a panel of 163 randomly selected IgM paraproteins was evaluated for the expression of the two kappa L chain CRI, 6B6.6 and 17.109, and the H chain CRI, G6. Among the paraproteins with kappa L chains, 14% expressed the 17.109 CRI, and 9% expressed the 6B6.6 CRI. Both ELISA and Western immunoblotting experiments showed that the two L chain CRI were mutually exclusive. Anti-IgG activity was documented in 22 of the IgM-kappa paraproteins, among which mAb 6B6.6 reacted with 7 (32%) and mAb 17.109 with 6 (27%). Both CRI were expressed exclusively by L chains within the kappaIII variable gene subgroup. Although 17.109 CRI+ paraproteins had kappaIIIb L chains, none of the 6B6.6 CRI+ paraproteins possessed L chains with this kappa sub-subgroup specific Ag. The G6 CRI was found predominantly among RF paraproteins and was frequently yet not exclusively associated with the 17.109 CRI+ L chains. Additional experiments were performed on a panel of normal adult human sera and documented the presence of 6B6.6 and 17.109 CRI on a small percentage (0.1 to 2.0%) of IgM from most individuals. These data indicate that 1) the mAb 6B6.6 and 17.109 identify two major and distinct CRI among IgM-RF paraproteins, 2) both CRI are associated exclusively with kappaIII L chains, 3) kappaIIIb and kappaIII non-b L chains are equally prevalent among IgM-RF, 4) the G6 H chain CRI is frequently associated with 17.109 CRI+ L chains, but not with 6B6.6 CRI+ L chains, and 5) although the ability to make 6B6.6 and 17.109 CRI+ kappa L chains is common in humans, these CRI are present in low concentrations in normal IgM.

Rapid and reliable molecular weight estimations of reduced and alkylated immunoglobulin heavy or light chains were performed by high speed gel filtration in 6 M guanidinium chloride using a short (30 cm X 7.5 mm) TSK 3000 SW type column. Molecular weight estimations based on Kav values of eluted polypeptides and glycopolypeptides were generally unaffected by protein bound carbohydrate. Rapid separation of immunoglobulin H and L chains was also achieved during high speed gel filtration.

The echidna represents the lowest stage in phylogeny at which molecules clearly homologous to IgG antibodies appear to occur. We provide evidence that a fraction of gamma chains possess an unblocked N terminal sequence comparable to the VHIII sub-group of human gamma chains and that glycine is the C-terminal residue. Statistical comparison of amino acid composition of the component chains with other immunoglobulin heavy chains suggests that echidna gamma chains are more closely related to eutherian gamma chains than to the 7S Ig heavy chains from amphibia or aves. The results are consistent with our view that true gamma-type heavy chains did not appear in evolution until after the mammalian line diverged from the stem reptiles.

The protein fraction in the first peak obtained by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration of normal bovine serum was reduced with 2-mercaptoethanol, alkylated with iodoactamide and recycled on a Sephadex G-200 column. The resultant chromatogram indicated the presence of two peaks the second of which was found to be pure monomeric IgM. Immunization of rabbits with the second peak protein resulted in the production of an antiserum with both heavy and light-chain activity. The light-chain activity was simply removed by absorption of the antiserum with glutaraldehyde-polymerized material obtained from the second peak of the initial Sephadex G-200 eluate, yielding an antiserum monospecific for the heavy chain of the IgM molecule.