Antigenicity of Polypeptides (Poly Alpha Amino Acids)

Abstract

The response of mice to synthetic linear polypeptides of known composition but random sequence has been studied. Neither Swiss mice nor a number of inbred strains could respond to copolymers of only 2 amino acids (G60L40, G60A40, G90T10). Upon introduction of as little as 4 mole per cent of a third amino acid, good immune responses were obtained, regardless of the nature of the third amino acid. The level of the immune response to a series of glu-lys-ala polymers increased with increasing alanine content of the polymer.

Antigenicity of Polypeptides (Poly Alpha Amino Acids)

“…In contrast to the findings on the poor immunogenicity of so lutions of random polymers of 2 and 3 a amino acids (GA, GAT) in rabbits (16) and mice (19), the GLAT polymer in solution was a fair immunogen. As the complexity of the sequences in the random polymer increased its immunogenicity in rabbits and mice approach ed that of purified proteins.…”

Genetic control of specific immune suppression. II. H-2-linked dominant genetic control of immune suppression by the random copolymer L-glutamic acid50-L-tyrosine50 (GT).

“…Furthermore, the strain distribution of mouse strains bearing the H- Differences in the Specificity of Immune Suppression Stimulated by GT or GAT on Specific PFC Responses to GAT-MBSA or GT-MBSA . GT and GAT are cross-reacting copolymers (4) . Antibody responses to these two antigens can be detected by a hemolytic plaque assay using SRBC coated with GAT as indicator cells.…”

Antigen Binding and Capping by Lymphocytes of Genetic Nonresponder Mice

“…The response of mice to the linear random copolymer (L-gluaOL-ala3OL-tyrlO)n (GAT) is governed by a single dominant gene lying within the H-2 region of the ninth linkage group. Mice possessing the alleles H-2 a, H-2 ~, H-2 d, or H-2 k uniformly respond to immunization with GAT by making antibody in high titer, while mice with the H-2 p or H-28 alleles make no antibody detectable by a sensitive Farr assay in response to the same immunization procedure (2)(3)(4). Considerable evidence has been presented that H-linked Ir genes are necessarily expressed in thymus-derived cells and in some way control their ability to respond to antigens (1).…”