EQUINE ANTIHAPTEN ANTIBODY

Abstract

Anti-p-azophenyl-[beta]-lactoside (Lac) antibody has been isolated from equine antiserum by specific precipitation with Lac-HSA (human serum albumin) and Lac-Hy (hemocyanin). Antibody was separated from antigen by chromatography on DEAE cellulose and zone electrophoresis in solvents containing lactose. Six antigenically distinct immunoglobulins have been identified in purified equine anti-Lac antibody 7S [beta]2A-globulin, 19S gamma-globulin, a 10S gamma1 globulin, and three antigenically distinct 7S gamma-globulins. The specific haptenbinding activity of the 7S [beta]2a-antibody and of the 10S gamma1 -antibody has been demonstrated by equilibrium dialysis and by analytical ultracentrifugation using a combination of schlieren and absorption optics. The 10S gamma1-globulin antibody may be representative of a hitherto undescribed class of immunoglobulins.