The Structure of Antigen-Antibody Complexes

Abstract

Negatively stained aggregates of antigen (polyoma or verruca vulgaris virus) and antibody (from rabbit or goat) were examined in the electron microscope. The antibody molecules appeared as cylindrical rods (often, but not always, showing a beaded appearance) with a long axis of 250 to 270 A and a short axis of 35 to 40 A. The combining sites were at the opposite short ends of the antibody molecules separated by the length of 250 to 270 A of the antibody molecule. Aggregates of antigen and antibody showed regions of orderly arrangements and frequently ring structures of five or more linked virus particles. Sometimes a virus particle in the center of these ring structures was linked to the peripheral particles. In extreme antibody excess, cross-linking was only rarely observed and virus particles were surrounded by a dense aura of antibody molecules. The specificity of the two combining sites of most antibody molecules is identical. This was utilized to examine the antigenic relation between the normal (icosahedral) and aberrant forms of polyoma virus.

Serological studies with human papova (wart) virus

“…2, figs. 1, 2), features of antigen-antibody complexes already described by Almeida, Cinader & Howatson (1963). In some tests with human sera two lines could be seen.…”

Isolation of a New Rhabdovirus in Australia Related to Tibrogargan Virus

“…DPP53 virus was grown in BHK21 roller tubes and a lysed cell preparation was treated with specific rabbit antiserum diluted I in to and I in tOO as described by Almeida et al (1963). Another sample was prepared without antiserum as described by Cybinski et al (1980).…”

Direct observation of immunoreactive sites and antibody molecules by ultrahigh‐resolution scanning electron microscope

“…The complexes used were polyoma or Verruca vulgaris virus antibodies (Almeida et al, 1963), influenza virus antibody (Lafferty and Oertelis, 1963), horse spleen ferritin antibody (Feinstein and Rowe, 1965), and hapten antibody (Valentine and Green, 1967). These studies elucidated the structure and size of the antibody molecule.…”