title: Analysis of an evolutionarily conserved antigenic site on mammalian cytochrome c using synthetic peptides.
abstract: Two synthetic peptides inclusive of the NH2-terminal N-acetyl-Gly-Asp-Val-Glu tetrapeptide of mammalian cytochrome c (cyt c) were used in this study to address the question of whether mammals can respond immunologically to an evolutionarily conserved region of a protein. These peptides were assessed for their capacity (i) to act as immunogens for the production of anti-self cyt c antisera and (ii) to bind rabbit anti-rodent cyt c antibody. The findings from these studies indicate the existence of an immunogenic determinant in an evolutionarily conserved region of cyt c that contains residues 1-4. This determinant can induce anti-self cyt c antibodies whether presented as a peptide on a carrier protein or in the context of the intact molecule as polymerized mammalian cyt c.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jemmerson
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Morrow
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Klinman
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Paterson
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D005075:Biological Evolution; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D000939:Epitopes; D009842:Oligopeptides