The structure of a myelin basic protein-associated idiotope.

A cross-reactive idiotope (CRI) has been previously described on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for encephalitogenic peptides from myelin basic protein (MBP). The anti-CRI mAb, F25F7, binds an idiotope (Id) localized to the light chains of an anti-MBP peptide 1-9 mAb, denoted F23C6, and an anti-MBP peptide 80-89 mAb, denoted 845D3. It is the purpose of this study to further delineate the CRI being recognized by F25F7. To this end, we have found a structural correlation between the CRI and the antigen, a small synthetic peptide, denoted PBM 9-1, used to elicit the anti-Id mAb. Sequence comparison between the light chain of F23C6 and PBM 9-1 reveals a region of homology in CDR 2/FWK 3. The configuration of this site in the VL, as determined by comparison with a mAb, HyHEL-10, whose structure has been determined and is 97% homologous to the light chain of F23C6, conforms to the rules used to define antigenic determinants or Ids. A synthetic peptide having the F23C6 VL CDR 2/FWK 3 sequence inhibited the binding of F25F7 to F23C6 and 845D3. Taken together, these data suggest the Id recognized by F25F7 is defined, in part, by the PBM 9-1-like sequence of F23C6.