General introduction: Synthesis and degradation of antibody

Abstract

The scanty knowledge of the mechanisms of synthesis and degradation of antibody is reviewed 'as an appropriate introduction to the wide range of interests covered in this symposium. As data accumulate, most of them fall in line with the findings on other proteins in mammals and microorganisms. These similarities will be stressed. STABILITY O F THE ANTIBODY MOLECULEAfter antibody appears in the serum, it undergoes a constant degradation into its component amino acids, which in turn become available f o r the synthesis of more antibody and of other proteins. Thus, at the organismal level, the synthesis and degradation of antibody are a part of the dynamic equilibrium between anabolism and catabolism of body proteins. I n ,marked contrast, as long as the antibody molecule retains its specific immunological reactivity, it is chemically stable to the extent that its amino acids and certain of its constituent atoms are not in a dynamic state with similar amino acids or atoms in other compounds of the host. The first of these characteristics is important in the dynamics of the rise and fall of antibody during immunization and the second one is vital in interpreting some of the data obtained with isotopically labeled antibody.

The Formation and Properties of Poliovirus-Neutralizing Antibody

“…There is good evidence that antibody is synthesized de novo from the amino acid pool (29). Consequently, when the antigen is administered intravenously the rate of antibody rise, corrected for antibody decay, reflects the rate of antibody formation.…”

Blood Volume Regulation

“…Regarding IZJ in the rat the liver is the sole source of albumin and a num ber of the globulins (37,38), but the plasma cells and other reticuloendo thelial cells make most of the gamma globulins (39,40). To appreciate the contribution of a single cell (41), note that the 1.7 kg.…”

The Induced Synthesis of Proteins

“…In this case, the antigen, usually a macromolecule, evokes the de novo synthesis of an apparently unlimited number of new species of related molecules of the yglobulin fraction (217, 245). It has, for example, been suggested in antibody synthesis that the antigen superimposes a complementary structure on the antibody.…”