Development and application of an efficient procedure for converting mouse IgM into small, active fragments.
A simple method is described for generating active molecules with molecular weights between 110 and 230 kilodaltons from mouse immunoglobulin M. The majority of these molecules have a 1 : 1 ratio of intact heavy and light chains. Approximately 70% of the specific IgM protein will still bind antigen after digestion with only a small decrease in binding affinity. Both anti-kappa and anti-mu chain specific antisera recognize these molecules. These low molecular weight molecules are much more efficient in immunocytochemistry and have localized antigens that could not be detected with undigested IgM.
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000378:metabolism; D007120:Immunochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C / Q000276:immunology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007075:Immunoglobulin M