Six BALB-c IgA myeloma proteins that bind beta-(1-6)-D-galactan. Partial amino acid sequences and idiotypes.

Six IgA myeloma proteins of BALB/c origin which bind antigens containing beta-(1 --> 6)-D-galactan side chains have been isolated by affinity chromatography on galactoside-BSA-Sepharose columns. Partial amino acid sequences of of the light chains to residue Cys23 and the heavy chains to reside 30 were determined on the automated sequencer. No differences were found among the six V(K) sequences. Among some 50 partial V(K) sequences that have thus far been determined these six chains are the only ones thus far identified in this subgroup; at least 25 V(K) subgroups in the mouse have been identified so far. The heavy chain partial sequences were also very closely related but two differences were found. One protein differed from the other five by having isoleucine instead of leucine at position 5, a second protein differed from the others by having an unidentified amino acid at position 19. Using the highly sensitive inhibition of hemagglutination method it was found that each of the proteins possessed a unique inidividual antigenic determinant.