Membrane Molecules Determined by the H-2 Associated Immune Response Region: Isolation and Some Properties

Membrane associated molecules that are probably glycoproteins could be specifically precipitated from NP-40 detergent solubilized extracts of radiolabeled mouse spleen or lymph node cells by antisera produced in congenic strain combinations differing only in the Ir gene region which is linked to the H-2 genes. These Ir region products were designated Lna (lymph node antigen) to conform to previous serological work.Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of unreduced specific immune precipitates revealed the presence of a possible dimer form, while reduced samples showed only a single peak equivalent to 30,000 daltons. Thus the Lna molecules are clearly distinct from the H-2D and H-2K molecules, which are about 45,000 daltons. Anti-Lna antibodies of different specificity can be present in a single serum; there were at least two separate antigen molecules present in one haplotype tested.