Heterogeneity of rabbit IgM antibody as detected by C'1a fixation

J Exp Med. 1968 Mar 1;127(3):589-603. doi: 10.1084/jem.127.3.589.

Abstract

The C'1a-fixing properties of purified rabbit IgM anti-benzenearsonate antibody were determined. When tested with sheep erythrocytes to which hapten had been coupled by diazo linkage, the number of C'1a molecules fixed was 21% of the number of IgM antibody molecules bound to the erythrocyte surface. This was not due to loss of C'1a-fixing capacity during the purification procedure. Preparative electrophoresis of the antibody concentrated C'1a-fixing molecules in the anodal region so that antibody fractions with greater C'1a-fixing capacity were obtained. The demonstration that C'1a fixation is a property of a subpopulation of IgM molecules provides evidence for previously unrecognized micro-chain heterogeneity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies / analysis*
  • Arsenicals
  • Benzene
  • Chromatography
  • Complement Fixation Tests*
  • Electrophoresis, Disc
  • Erythrocytes
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Immune Sera
  • Immunoelectrophoresis
  • Iodine Isotopes
  • Proteins / analysis
  • Rabbits
  • Ultracentrifugation
  • gamma-Globulins / analysis*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Arsenicals
  • Immune Sera
  • Iodine Isotopes
  • Proteins
  • gamma-Globulins
  • Benzene