Can an antibody-combining site be mimicked synthetically? The possible surface simulation synthesis of two antibody-combining sites complementary to two antigenic sites of lysozyme. 1977

M Z Atassi, and W Zablocki

Our recent determination of the complete antigenic structure of native lysozyme was made possible by our introduction of the "surface simulation" synthetic concept. The remarkable success afforded by this strategy in the synthetic construction of antigenic sites prompted us to investigate whether it can be applied to mimic antibody-combining sites. Two peptides, designed to be complementary to antigenic sites 2 and 3 of lysozyme, were synthesized and their immunochemistry was studied. Each of the two complementary peptides exhibited an appreciable inhibitory activity towards the reaction of lysozyme with its antisera. Peptide immunoadsorbents bound only lysozyme and not antibody or myoglobin. Neither of the two peptides had any immunochemical activity in the myoglobin or bovine serum albumin immune systems. Furthermore, it was shown that three control synthetic peptides of myoglobin, of similar charge but different sequence, had no inhibitory effect on the lysozyme immune reaction. The evidence indicates that the antibody-combining sites sgainst antigenic sites 2 and 3 of native lysozyme were successfully mimicked synthetically, at least in terms of binding function.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007164 Immunosorbents An insoluble support for an ANTIGEN or ANTIBODIES that is used in AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY to adsorb the homologous antibody or antigen from a mixture. Many different substances are used, among them SEPHAROSE; GLUTARALDEHYDE; copolymers of ANHYDRIDES; polyacrylamides, etc. Immunoadsorbent,Immunoadsorbents,Immunosorbent
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
D009842 Oligopeptides Peptides composed of between two and twelve amino acids. Oligopeptide
D010446 Peptide Fragments Partial proteins formed by partial hydrolysis of complete proteins or generated through PROTEIN ENGINEERING techniques. Peptide Fragment,Fragment, Peptide,Fragments, Peptide
D000941 Antigens Substances that are recognized by the immune system and induce an immune reaction. Antigen
D001666 Binding Sites, Antibody Local surface sites on antibodies which react with antigen determinant sites on antigens (EPITOPES.) They are formed from parts of the variable regions of FAB FRAGMENTS. Antibody Binding Sites,Paratopes,Antibody Binding Site,Binding Site, Antibody,Paratope

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