Antigenic Analysis of an N-Terminal Fragment of a Type κ Bence Jones Protein

Abstract

Summary A fragment of type κ Bence Jones (BJ) protein has been isolated from the urine of a patient with multiple myeloma. Peptide map analysis has established its origin from the N-terminal half of the monomer and devoid of any “constant spots” of type κ BJ proteins. Using antisera specific for the type κ common determinants and for the unique determinants of this particular BJ protein, the fragment is found to have all the unique antigenic determinants together with some common determinants. The relationship of common antigenic determinants of type κ BJ proteins to constant amino acid sequences of the variable half of the chain are discussed.