Studies on the asymmetrically attached oligosaccharide of rabbit immunoglobulin-G. II. On the biological function of the C2-oligosaccharide.

  • 1 May 1970
    • journal article
    • Vol. 18  (5) , 769-74
Abstract
Rabbit IgG consists of two populations of molecules, one containing and the other lacking the C2-oligosaccharide. Comparison of the properties of the two molecular species has been used to obtain an understanding of the functional role of the carbohydrate moiety. The C2-oligosaccharide does not appear to be involved in secretion of IgG from the biosynthetic cell; it does not contribute to allotypic specificities 1/4, 2/4, and 3/4; it affords the IgG molecule a degree of protection from biological degradation. The presence of the C2-oligosaccharide in an IgG molecule mediates against transfer of the molecule across the placental membrane. Both C2- containing and C2- free IgG molecules are present in purified antibody.