Analysis of the anti-azobenzenearsonate response at the molecular level

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 V H gene. Antibody molecules express the idiotype regardless of their light chains or the J H 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 V H genes in A/J and BALB/c mice. The nucleotide sequences of the V H 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. Les anticorps anti-azonate de souris A/J et BALB/c qui expriment l'idiotype dérivent tous d'un seul gène V H par mutations somatiques. L'expression de l'idiotype ne dépend ni de la nature des chaînes légères, ni des segments J H. Par contre le segment D semble essentiel. Les anticorps, anti-arsonate qui expriment l'idiotype mineur (36–60) sont codés par des gènes V H qui sont hautement homologues entre les souches A/J et BALB/C, puisqu'ils ne diffèrent que par 2 nucléotides. Toutefois, chez la souche BALB/c, l'idiotype 36–60 est dominant dans la population d'anticorps anti-arsonate.