Interspecific distribution of allotypic mink (Mustela vison) IgG antigens.
The antigenic specificities of six (1--6) IgG allotypes of the domestic mink were tested in the sera of closely related species of Mustelidae family and distant mammalian species. It was found that allotypes 1 and 5 are ancient. Their antigenic specificities were established not only in Mustelidae, but also in other taxonomic orders of mammals. Allotypes 3 and 2 are phylogenetically younger; they were detected only in Mustelidae. Allotypes 4 and 6 appear to be unique to the domestic mink. The instantaneous evolutionary emergence of complex allotypes 4 and 6 is difficult to explain by a rapid accumulation of gene point mutations during phylogenesis. Activation in the domestic mink of those immunoglobulin genes, which are silent or poorly expressed in closely related Mustelidae, is suggested as a more plausible explanation.
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D000939:Epitopes; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008907:Mink / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity
D000939:Epitopes; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes