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Molecules in earthworm coelomic fluid that bind anti-IgA and anti-IgG, but not anti-IgM
1Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430.
Coelomic fluid from the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris is known to contain immunoactive cells and molecules involved in immune defense. To assess the ability of such molecules to form precipitating complexes with anti-human immunoglobulins, radial immunodiffusion experiments were conducted. Anti-human IgG, anti-human IgA, and anti-human IgM were the three immunoglobulins examined. Earthworm coelomic fluid was found to contain molecules that bind anti-IgA and anti-IgG. No precipitation reactions were observed with anti-IgM. Earthworm coelomic fluid diluted 1:8 still formed precipitating complexes with anti-IgA and anti-IgG. Elucidation of the earthworm binding site on anti-IgG and anti-IgA could make earthworm coelomic fluid a valuable reagent in immunological, chemical and biological research.
Coelomic fluid from the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris is known to contain immunoactive cells and molecules involved in immune defense. To assess the ability of such molecules to form precipitating complexes with anti-human immunoglobulins, radial immunodiffusion experiments were conducted. Anti-human IgG, anti-human IgA, and anti-human IgM were the three immunoglobulins examined. Earthworm coelomic fluid was found to contain molecules that bind anti-IgA and anti-IgG. No precipitation reactions were observed with anti-IgM. Earthworm coelomic fluid diluted 1:8 still formed precipitating complexes with anti-IgA and anti-IgG. Elucidation of the earthworm binding site on anti-IgG and anti-IgA could make earthworm coelomic fluid a valuable reagent in immunological, chemical and biological research.