title: Relationship of VH and VL genes encoding three idiotypic families of anti-p-azobenzenearsonate antibodies.
abstract: We describe here an intrastrain, cross-reactive idiotype (CRI), CRID, associated with anti-p-azobenzenearsonate antibodies of the A/J strain of mouse and distinguishable, by some but not by all of its idiotopes, from the major anti-p-azobenzenearsonate idiotype (CRIA). Molecules carrying the CRID idiotype have heavy chain variable-segment sequences that are identical or nearly identical to that of the germ-line-encoded heavy chain variable sequence of CRIA. Their light chain variable sequences are very similar to those present in a third idiotypic family, CRIC, that is a minor CRI in the A/J strain but a major CRI in BALB/c. This appears to represent a form of combinational diversity, in which the heavy and light chain variable region genes of two unrelated idiotypic families interact to form a third family, all involving antibodies of the same antigen-binding (anti-p-azobenzenearsonate) specificity. The D region of CRID, in the six monoclonal representatives studied (three IgMs, three IgGs), is unusual in that it comprises a single amino acid--arginine or serine; there are eight amino acids in the D region of CRI+A antibodies. Three different heavy chain joining regions, JH1, JH2, and JH3, are utilized. A serological reagent was developed that identifies CRID; it was used to show that the idiotype is present in relatively high concentration, comparable to that of CRIA, in anti-p-azobenzenearsonate antibodies taken soon after primary immunization. In serum taken later CRIA greatly predominates, but CRID persists at low levels.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haba
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nisonoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005796:Genes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000276:immunology*; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D010132:p-Azobenzenearsonate / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001391:Azo Compounds; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010132:p-Azobenzenearsonate