AM(1), THE FIRST GENETIC MARKER OF HUMAN IMMUNOGLOBULIN A*
Abstract
The genetic markers of human immunoglobulins have significantly contributed to the understanding of the molecular biology of antibody synthesis. Like the Gm markers of IgG, the first genetic marker of serum IgA, a major immunoglubulin of exocrine secretions, has now been defined and termed Am(1). It is inherited as a Mendelian dominant trait and is independent of the Gm and Inv allotypes. Am(1) is localized in the α-chains of the γA2 subclass and is independent of the serum γA2 levels. Its polymorphism makes it suitable for studies in population genetics and the molecular biology of IgA globulin.
Footnotes
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↵ * This work was supported in part by training grant (HE-05677) and research grants (HE-05997 and AM-08527) from the U.S. Public Health Service, American Cancer Society grant (T-386A), contract Nonr-3656(12) from the Office of Naval Research, and the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund.
