Immunogenetic analysis of proteins ofParameciumVI. Additional evidence for the expression of several loci in animals of a single antigenic type

A paramecium generally bears on its surface but one immobilization antigen from among the many it may have the potentiality for expressing. By assaying soluble extracts of whole cells, it had been demonstrated previously that animals of the E serotype may possess the cross-reacting G antigen. Now the existence of these secondary antigens—immobilization antigens undetected byin vivotests—has been extended to include unrelated antigens, e.g. G antigen in animals of C serotype. The amount of these cryptic immobilization antigens varies from stock to stock; also within a stock cultures harvested at different times may have quite different quantities. The secondary and primary G antigens appear to be indistinguishable by the criteria of antigenic specificities, immunoelectrophoretic mobilities sedimentation rates and ammonium sulfate solubilities. As to their distribution within the cell, both secondary and primary antigens are located primarily on or within the cilia.