Immunochemical studies on bacteriophage deoxyribonucleic acid. III. Specificity of the antibodies.

Abstract

Several rabbit antisera to ruptured T2, T4 and T6 bacteriophage contained antibodies to DNA. With all of the antisera, denatured DNA was more effective serologically than native DNA. Of 41 different DNA preparations tested with an antiserum to T4 DNA, only DNA isolated from T2, T4 or T6 bacteriophage fixed C′. The specificity of the antibodies as measured by cross-reactivity is described. The antigenic determinant groups of T-even bacteriophage DNA include, in part, the glucosyl residue of the DNA.