Summary: | The carbohydrate moiety of cod serum IgM was analysed using oligosaccharide sequencing techniques. The carbohydrate moiety constituted about 10% of the molecular weight of cod IgM, was associated with the constant region of the heavy chains (Fc), and was composed of N-linked complex type oligosaccharides. Considerable heterogeneity was observed. Sixteen different glycan structures were identified, over 60% were sialylated and 40% contained core fucose. The carbohydrate moiety of cod IgM was shown to provide protection against protease digestion, and partial deglycosylation abolished the antigen binding property of natural cod anti-TNP-BSA antibody.
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