title: Analysis of the anti-azobenzenearsonate response at the molecular level.
abstract: We have analysed, at the molecular level, the antibodies associated with the anti-azobenzenearsonate response of A/J and BALB/c mice as well as the genes that encode them. All antibodies expressing the predominant idiotype are derived by somatic mutation from a single VH gene. Antibody molecules express the idiotype regardless of their light chains or the JH segments which encode them. The D segment, however, does seem to be important for idiotype expression. The anti-azobenzenearsonate antibodies possessing the minor idiotype (36-60) are encoded by single, highly homologous VH genes in A/J and BALB/c mice. The nucleotide sequences of the VH genes from these two strains show only two nucleotide disparities. However, as opposed to A/J mice, the 36-60 idiotype in BALB/c appears to be the dominant idiotype among anti-azobenzenearsonate antibodies.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D009154:Mutation; D010132:p-Azobenzenearsonate / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D007130:Immunoglobulin Idiotypes; D010132:p-Azobenzenearsonate