Accession Number:

ADA276041

Title:

Progress Report for the First Year (1 January-31 December 1992) on Contract N00014-93-C-0019 (Hawaii Biotechnology Group, Inc.)

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

HAWAII BIOTECHNOLOGY GROUP INC AIEA

Personal Author(s):

Report Date:

1994-02-10

Pagination or Media Count:

30.0

Abstract:

Immunoglobulin A IgA is the predominant immunoglobulin present in secretions such as milk and saliva and may be the first specific defense against natural infection. In serum, the molecule is present as a monomer whereas, in secretions, IgA is present predominantly as dimers, although trimers, tetramers, and pentamers also exist. When in the dimeric form, the IgA monomers are covalently linked via intermolecular disulfide bonds between the heavy chain constant regions of the IgA monomers. Polymerization of IgA is initiated by a 14 kilodalton protein, designated J-chain, which binds to the C-terminal cysteine of one of the monomers. In addition, a 70 kilodalton protein known as secretory component is linked to the macromolecule by either covalent or non-covalent forces.

Descriptors:

• *ANTIBODIES
• *IMMUNIZATION
• *ASCITES
• ENZYMES
• MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
• RABBITS
• HYBRIDOMAS
• LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES
• IMMUNOGLOBULINS
• SHIGELLA
• INFECTIOUS DISEASES
• ESCHERICHIA COLI

Subject Categories:

• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE