The Variation and Adaptive Expression of Antibodies

George P. Smith

Published by Harvard University Press 1973

The Variation and Adaptive Expression of Antibodies

George P. Smith

https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674365148

Overview
Contents

About this book

During the past ten years, several theories have been proposed on the origin of the diversity of antibodies. George P. Smith presents a critical study of these theories in this detailed treatment of immunological problems from the point of view of molecular genetics.

Mr. Smith uses a new and simplifying approach to this long-standing controversy. By a comprehensive computerized analysis of antibody amino acid sequences (particularly the myeloma proteins), the author traces their evolution and matches his results against the expectations of the various theories of diversity. He discusses at length the other types of evidence as well.

Mr. Smith also deals with the clonal specialization of cells to produce a single antibody, and the relationship of this specialization to the somatic joining of antibody half-genes, which is one of the immune system's most important peculiarities.

Introductory material is provided to make this work understandable to molecular geneticists not versed in immunology and to immunologists not versed in molecular genetics.

This is a timely book offering a succinct and coherent summary of the various lines of evidence in a confused and controversial field.

Author information

Smith George P. :

George P. Smith is a Helen Hay Whitney Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Topics

General Interest

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	vii
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Tables and Figures Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	xi
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Immune Response Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
Chapter 2. The Basic Structure of Immunoglobulins Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	12
Chapter 3. Reconstructing Protein Evolution Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	38
Chapter 4. The Evolution of C Regions Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	50
Chapter 5. Theories of Antibody Diversity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	62
Chapter 6. The Evolution of V Regions: The Case for the Germline Theory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	75
Chapter 7. Species Specificity and Allotypes in V Regions: Evidence against the Germline Theory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	113
Chapter 8. The Clonal Selection Theory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	127
Chapter 9. The Joining of V and C Regions: Theories of Cell Commitment Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	147
Appendixes. References. Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	163
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	195
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	217

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Copyright year: 1973
Edition: Reprint 2014
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Front matter: 12
- Main content: 219
Illustrations
- Illustrations: 43
- Tables: 33
Keywords: Immunogenetics.; Immunoglobulins.; Antibody Formation; SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Biology

eBook

Published: October 1, 2013
ISBN: 9780674365148

Hardcover

Published: February 5, 1973
ISBN: 9780674365131