Conformation and sequence dependent antigenic determinants in human low molecular weight kininogen

Conformation and sequence-dependent antigenic determinants were investigated using a kinin-free low molecular weight kininogen isolated from Cohn's plasma fraction IV. This antigen contains the determinants of the apparently intact heavy chain common to the high molecular weight and low molecular weight kininogens. Straightforward reduction and carboxymethylation destroyed the immunoreactivity of this molecule. Antiserum prepared against the reduced protein recognized both reduced and unreduced antigen showing the presence of both types of antigenic determinant. The corresponding antibodies were separated using immunoadsorbent columns. As shown by the higher avidity of the antibodies, the conformation-dependent determinants dominate the antigenic structure.