Immunochemistry of purified polysaccharide type antigens of group B streptococcal types Ia, Ib, and Ic. 1975

H W Wilkinson

The HCl-extracted purified polysaccharide type antigens of group B Streptococcus types Ia and Ib were composed of galactose and N-acetylglucosamine in a molar ratio of 3:1 for the Ia antigen and 2:1 for the Ib antigen. Immunochemical data were the same for the Ia antigens of type Ia, purified in this study, and type Ic, purified earlier. Glucosamine inhibited the Ib quantitative precipitin reactions more effectively than did N-acetylglucosamine, whereas the reverse was true of the Ia reaction. Ouchterlony studies were consistent with these observations and also revealed two type-specific precipitin bands with the HCl-extracted Ia antigens. All saline-extracted type antigens, however, formed single Ouchterlony bands that were only partially identical to the corresponding HCl antigens. Purification of the saline antigens was accomplished by treatment with cold trichloroacetic acid and by fractional ethanol precipitation. Immunoelectrophoresis experiments showed that the saline antigens were more negatively charged than the HCl antigens. The presence of sialic acid in the saline antigens probably accounted for their net negative charge and the fact that they were partially degraded by mild acid hydrolysis. The same serological specificities were observed with saline- and with HCl-extracted antigens.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007122 Immunoelectrophoresis A technique that combines protein electrophoresis and double immunodiffusion. In this procedure proteins are first separated by gel electrophoresis (usually agarose), then made visible by immunodiffusion of specific antibodies. A distinct elliptical precipitin arc results for each protein detectable by the antisera.
D009113 Muramidase A basic enzyme that is present in saliva, tears, egg white, and many animal fluids. It functions as an antibacterial agent. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in peptidoglycan and between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in chitodextrin. EC 3.2.1.17. Lysozyme,Leftose,N-Acetylmuramide Glycanhydrolase,Glycanhydrolase, N-Acetylmuramide,N Acetylmuramide Glycanhydrolase
D011135 Polysaccharides, Bacterial Polysaccharides found in bacteria and in capsules thereof. Bacterial Polysaccharides
D011233 Precipitin Tests Serologic tests in which a positive reaction manifested by visible CHEMICAL PRECIPITATION occurs when a soluble ANTIGEN reacts with its precipitins, i.e., ANTIBODIES that can form a precipitate. Precipitin Test,Test, Precipitin,Tests, Precipitin
D002855 Chromatography, Thin Layer Chromatography on thin layers of adsorbents rather than in columns. The adsorbent can be alumina, silica gel, silicates, charcoals, or cellulose. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Chromatography, Thin-Layer,Thin Layer Chromatography,Chromatographies, Thin Layer,Chromatographies, Thin-Layer,Thin Layer Chromatographies,Thin-Layer Chromatographies,Thin-Layer Chromatography
D005696 Galactosidases A family of galactoside hydrolases that hydrolyze compounds with an O-galactosyl linkage. EC 3.2.1.-. Galactosidase
D005779 Immunodiffusion Technique involving the diffusion of antigen or antibody through a semisolid medium, usually agar or agarose gel, with the result being a precipitin reaction. Gel Diffusion Tests,Diffusion Test, Gel,Diffusion Tests, Gel,Gel Diffusion Test,Immunodiffusions,Test, Gel Diffusion,Tests, Gel Diffusion
D006241 Haptens Small antigenic determinants capable of eliciting an immune response only when coupled to a carrier. Haptens bind to antibodies but by themselves cannot elicit an antibody response. Hapten,Contact-Sensitizing Agents,Agents, Contact-Sensitizing,Contact Sensitizing Agents
D000042 Absorption The physical or physiological processes by which substances, tissue, cells, etc. take up or take in other substances or energy.
D000942 Antigens, Bacterial Substances elaborated by bacteria that have antigenic activity. Bacterial Antigen,Bacterial Antigens,Antigen, Bacterial

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