Genetic Control of Immune Response against Random Copolymers of Glutamic Acid and Alanine (GA) and Tyrosine (GT) in Inbred Mice

An immune response (lr) gene(s) controlling responses to synthetic random copolymers of two amino acids of glutamic acid and alanine (GA) in mice has been well documented. This specific lr gene is linked to the major histocompatibility complex of the species. Mice of the H-2a,b,d,f,k,r and s haplotypes produce high titer antibodies and thus are high responders; whereas mice of the H-2 haplotypes j, ja, p and q produce no detectable antibody and are non responders. The response is "all or none" and high response is dominant. Attempts to detect an Ir-GT gene (glutamic acid and tyrosine) after immunization with two GT random copolymers were unsuccessful. However, GT-antibody could be produced after immunization with GT-methylated bovine serum albumin aggregates.