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Role of Non‐Surface Antigens in Controlling Paramecium Surface Antigen Synthesis *
Author(s) -
FINGER IRVING,
ONORATO FRED,
HELLER CAROL,
DILWORTH LINDA
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1969.tb02227.x
Subject(s) - antigen , antiserum , paramecium aurelia , antibody , biology , serotype , paramecium , paramecium caudatum , pan t antigens , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , immunology , monoclonal antibody
SYNOPSIS.Paramecium aurelia exposed to antisera prepared against cells of a different surface antigenic type are often induced to transform to a new serotype. One possible explanation is that paramecia that are so affected have antigens related to the ciliary antigens, but not accessible to immobilizing antibodies. It is these secondary antigens that are bound by the antibodies, thereby forcing the cells to alter their pattern of antigen synthesis. Examination of affected paramecia has disclosed that secondary antigens are often present but the specificity of these antigens cannot account for the activity of the antisera. It is therefore proposed that antibodies directed against substances other than the immobilization antigens may induce transformation. Two kinds of antiserum, neither of which contains immobilizing antibodies of any sort, are able to markedly alter the expression of the serotypes. One was obtained by immunizing rabbits with culture fluid in which paramecia had been growing. The 2nd was made by injecting rabbits with normal sera from other rabbits.