Abstract The immunoglobulins which are present on the membrane of B lymphocytes of different species are mobile in the plane of the membrane itself. This mobility results in the formation of spots of immunoglobulins when the cells are treated with divalent antibodies against immunoglobulins; the spots then combine into polar caps. The process of spot formation is not inhibited by different substances that inhibit cell metabolism, but is markedly inhibited in the cold. The formation of caps is followed by the disappearance of immunoglobulins from the cell membrane but, if the cells are not left in contact with the anti‐immunoglobulin antiserum, there is a rapid resynthesis of new membrane immunoglobulins. It appears that the percentage of lymphocytes that resynthesize immunoglobulins is identical to that of cells originally carrying immunoglobulins, but the amount of surface immunoglobulins of each cell is increased after antiserum treatment. Many other membrane antigens behave in a similar way after treatment with the corresponding antisera; the possible role of the mobility of membrane proteins for the immunological functions of lymphocytes is discussed.
Loor et al. (1972) studied this question.