The VK gene expressed by BALB/c ABPC48 cross-reactive idiotypes induced by anti-idiotypic immunization is identical to that of BALB/c anti-oxazolone and A/J anti-arsonate antibodies.
Anti-idiotypic immunization triggers the production of antibodies that are structurally related to the idiotype. We have shown that the heavy chain variable regions of antibodies produced after anti-ABPC48 (A48) anti-idiotypic immunization of BALB/c mice are homologous to that of A48, except for the third hypervariable region. We present here partial light chain sequences of A48 and of antibodies induced by anti-idiotypic immunization. Nearly perfect homology is found, suggesting that these chains are the products of genes derived from a unique VK germ-line gene. These observations indicate that the H and L hypervariable regions contribute to define the structure of A48 idiotopes. Remarkably, the VK sequence we identify is the same as that described for anti-arsonate and anti-oxazolone antibodies. We discuss the relative importance of particular amino acids for idiotype expression and antigen-binding activity.
D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D000916:Antibody Diversity; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005796:Genes; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics*; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000276:immunology*; D010081:Oxazolone / Q000276:immunology*; D010132:p-Azobenzenearsonate / Q000276:immunology*
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001391:Azo Compounds; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D007147:Immunoglobulin Light Chains; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D007145:Immunoglobulin kappa-Chains; D009194:Myeloma Proteins; D010080:Oxazoles; D010081:Oxazolone; D010132:p-Azobenzenearsonate