The Nature of the Antigenic Site Responsible for the Detection of γM Globulins of Type K or L with Antisera Specific for γM Globulins

Abstract

Monoclonal gamma M-globulins of type K and L were reduced under mild conditions to their subunits gamma Ms and alkylated. The same gamma M-globulins were also treated with 0.01[image] and 0.04[image] sodium decyl sulfate or 8[image] urea. Antisera specific for gamma M-globulins of either type K or L were used to determine the effects of the chemical treatment on the antigenic determinants responsible for this specificity. The mild reduction and alkylation as well as treatment with 0.04 [image] sodium decyl sulfate destroyed the specific precipitinogens of the gamma M-globulins, whereas 8[image] urea did not. Sodium decyl sulfate unlike reduction and alkylation destroyed the combining capacity of the macroglobulin with its specific antibodies. The specific antigenic determinants involved in the typing of gamma M-globulins with antisera lacking antibody against the light chains may reside at the juncture of the heavy (u) chains and the light chains.