478
JOHN E. CUSHING
addition, gel diffusion and immunoelectrophoretic comparisons werc
made, as were characterizations obtained from antibodies eluted from
an immunoabsorbent column. The results showed that fish anti-BSA
was at least as specific as rabbit anti-BSA and possibly more so (in this
sample), since fish antibody did not cross-react with sheep serum albumin whereas rabbit did. Differences observed between the two kinds
of antibodies included the following: ( 1 ) The goldfish antibodies had
three equivalence points with homologous antigen, whereas the rabbit
antibodies used had only one; ( 2 ) the fish serum had a larger amount
of low avidity antibody than did the rabbit; and ( 3 ) the fish antibodies
migrated electrophoretically more slowly than did those of the rabbit.
The observation concerning low avidity antibody agrees with that of
Suran et al. (1967) on that of the leopard shark. Here both phageneutralizing and hemocyanin-precipitating antibodies were less effective
than those of rabbits.
Clem and Sigel (1966) have shown that two specics of shark, the
margate, Halmulon album, the gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus, as well
as the gar, Lepisoteus platyrliincus, are capable of production precipitating antibodies for bovine serum albumin. In contrast to the sharks and
the goldfish (rcferred to above), the marine teleosts appeared to produce
only ,M-like antibodies as far as could be detected by electrophoretic
and other methods. Gar serum included two protein fractions of ,G
type. However, these did not increase during prolonged immunization of
this fish with BSA.
Chuba et al. (1968) have shown that the brown bullhead, Zctalurus
nebulosus, immunized with appropriate human secretor saliva, responds
by producing potent fractions of agglutinating anibodies specific for
human A, B, and 0 blood types. While precipitating antibodies are not
yet under investigation, these studies demonstrate that this species is
excellent material for further work on the specific competence of the
combining sites of fish antibodies. The value of the brown bullheads
is enhanced because of the ease with which they are cultured, and the
fact that they are known to have blood grouping antigens of their own
(Cushing and Durall, 1957) that should make specific study of iso-antibodies possible. Further studies on the rcsponses of this species to human
antigens are discussed in Section V on blood groups.
Consideration of the studies reviewed in this section shows that fish
offer favorable niaterial for the investigation of the evolution of the
specific competence of the antibody combining site. It also shows, however, that much work will need to be done before generalities will emerge
in this area. Finally, it shows that great care will be necessary to dis-
JOHN E. CUSHING
addition, gel diffusion and immunoelectrophoretic comparisons werc
made, as were characterizations obtained from antibodies eluted from
an immunoabsorbent column. The results showed that fish anti-BSA
was at least as specific as rabbit anti-BSA and possibly more so (in this
sample), since fish antibody did not cross-react with sheep serum albumin whereas rabbit did. Differences observed between the two kinds
of antibodies included the following: ( 1 ) The goldfish antibodies had
three equivalence points with homologous antigen, whereas the rabbit
antibodies used had only one; ( 2 ) the fish serum had a larger amount
of low avidity antibody than did the rabbit; and ( 3 ) the fish antibodies
migrated electrophoretically more slowly than did those of the rabbit.
The observation concerning low avidity antibody agrees with that of
Suran et al. (1967) on that of the leopard shark. Here both phageneutralizing and hemocyanin-precipitating antibodies were less effective
than those of rabbits.
Clem and Sigel (1966) have shown that two specics of shark, the
margate, Halmulon album, the gray snapper, Lutjanus griseus, as well
as the gar, Lepisoteus platyrliincus, are capable of production precipitating antibodies for bovine serum albumin. In contrast to the sharks and
the goldfish (rcferred to above), the marine teleosts appeared to produce
only ,M-like antibodies as far as could be detected by electrophoretic
and other methods. Gar serum included two protein fractions of ,G
type. However, these did not increase during prolonged immunization of
this fish with BSA.
Chuba et al. (1968) have shown that the brown bullhead, Zctalurus
nebulosus, immunized with appropriate human secretor saliva, responds
by producing potent fractions of agglutinating anibodies specific for
human A, B, and 0 blood types. While precipitating antibodies are not
yet under investigation, these studies demonstrate that this species is
excellent material for further work on the specific competence of the
combining sites of fish antibodies. The value of the brown bullheads
is enhanced because of the ease with which they are cultured, and the
fact that they are known to have blood grouping antigens of their own
(Cushing and Durall, 1957) that should make specific study of iso-antibodies possible. Further studies on the rcsponses of this species to human
antigens are discussed in Section V on blood groups.
Consideration of the studies reviewed in this section shows that fish
offer favorable niaterial for the investigation of the evolution of the
specific competence of the antibody combining site. It also shows, however, that much work will need to be done before generalities will emerge
in this area. Finally, it shows that great care will be necessary to dis-