Molecular mapping of idiotopes of anti-arsonate antibodies.

As part of understanding molecular function in structural terms, we have been attempting to map the idiotypic topography of specific anti-arsonate (Ars) antibodies. A panel of anti-Ars hybridomas of which the complete primary sequences are known were used. These molecules show a varied reactivity profile with a panel of monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies. By judicious chain recombination experiments and chemical modifications that altered this reactivity profile, we were able to identify particular amino acid residues or discreet regions of anti-Ars antibodies as having crucial roles in the expression of idiotypic determinants. Idiotopes were mapped to the heavy chain second hypervariable region and D segment, and to the light chain first and third hypervariable regions.