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Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the chemical nature of antibodies. Two general procedures are used for the purification of antibodies. The “nonspecific” methods are based on the physical and chemical properties of the antibody. In contrast to these, specific methods make use of the ability of antibodies to react with one particular antigen. Specific methods make use of the most specific precipitating agent— namely, the antigen to the antibody, which is to be purified. These methods have four steps in common: (1) the combination of the antibody with its antigen; (2) the isolation of the specific precipitate or “agglutinate” by centrifugation and washing in order to remove occluded or combined impurities; (3) the dissociation of the antigen-antibody complex; and (4) the separation of the released antibody from the solution. The chapter characterizes that region of the antibody molecule responsible for its ability to combine with a specific antigen. This region will be referred to as the “antibody combining site.” The antigenic properties of antibodies are discussed. The chapter explores those different antibodies that give rise to the production of different anti-antibodies. It is evident from the serological reactions between antibodies and antiglobulin sera, the antibody combining site makes no appreciable contribution to the antigenicity of the antibody. |
