The genetic control of antibody formation

Studies of the molecular biology of lymphoid cells have markedly increased our understanding of how millions of different antibodies can be synthesized by a single animal. To date, the most detailed understanding has been achieved for the mouse, primarily because of the relatively greater experimental availability of this species. These studies, as well as those involving other species, have shown that the complete genes for antibody polypeptide chains are assembled from disparate genetic elements which are originally widely separated in the genome. The assembly process itself, together with the coding information present in the germ line genetic elements, contributes to the diversity of structure (and thus combining specificities) shown by mature antibody molecules. Specifically, the diversity of structure characteristic of antibody variable regions is due to three distinct mechanisms: innate variability of germ line genes; mismatching of individual gene segments during their somatic rearrangement leading to junctional diversity; and somatic mutation in variable region genetic material during or after the rearrangement. These processes lead to the wide array of combining specificities that permit the humoral immune system of a mature animal to interact with essentially any non-self antigen which it encounters. Complex genetic rearrangements are also responsible for the class switching phenomenon long known to be characteristic of the humoral immune response. A form of homologous recombination between constant region genes, possibly mediated by specific "switching" enzymes, is now believed to be involved in this phenomenon. It is also currently believed that the restriction of gene rearrangement processes to one of the two possible chromosomes of a diploid pair in each cell is responsible for the phenomenon of allelic exclusion that has long been associated with the normal functioning of mammalian B-cells.     

THE ADSORPTION OF LINURON, ATRAZINE AND EPTC BY MODEL ALIPHATIC ADSORBENTS AND SOIL ORGANIC PREPARATIONS

Summary. Model adsorbents were prepared by treating cellulose phosphate powder with a series of alkyltrimethylammonium compounds in which the size of the alkyl group was varied from C₈to C₁₈. The adsorption of linuron, atrazine and EPTC by these materials was found to increase logarithmically with increasing chain length. The extent of the adsorption was large compared with the adsorption of these herbicides by a humic acid and by a preparation made by removing the bulk of the inorganic constituents of a peat soil with a mixture of HCl and HF. Since soil organic matter is thought to contain alkyl groups, it is concluded that the possible influence of such groups should be considered in any discussion of the mechanisms involved in the adsorption of organic molecules by soils.
Adsorption du linuron, de I'atrazine de l'EPTC par des adsorbants de la série aliphatique et des préparations organiques de sol     

THE BASIS OF THE DIFFERENTIAL PHYTOTOXICITY OF 4-HYDROXY-3,5-DI-IODOBENZONITRlLE*

Summary. Entry of ioxynil-¹⁴C into portions of leaves was greater with mustard than with barley or pea and was unrelated to stomatal density. Measurement of ioxynil content of sprayed plants showed that by increasing the concentration of ioxynil and adding a surfactant, almost as much ioxynil could be made to enter barley as entered mustard from a lower concentration without surfactant. Auto radiographs showed that a limited amount of ¹⁴C was translocated to a small extent in plants following localized application of ioxynil-¹⁴C. An experiment comparing leaf removal by cutting with destruction of equivalent leaf areas by ioxynil treatment suggested a greater translocated effect of ioxynil with mustard than with pea or barley. Les principes de la phytotoxicité différentielle du 4-hydroxy-3,5-di-iodobetZonitrile II. Absorption et migration     

ADSORPTION AND DESORPTION OF SIMAZINE BY SOME ROTHAMSTED SOILS

Summary. The adsorption of simazine from, and subsequent desorption into, 0–01 M calcium chloride solution was investigated using twenty-three Rothamsted soil samples from sites differing greatly in cropping history and manurial treatment. Organic carbon content was the only factor related to the ability of the soils to sorb simazine; this accounted for 90% or more of the variation between soils Equilibrium was attained during adsorption in from fewer than 2 to more than 24 hr. Equilibrium during desorption was only occasionally attained within 24 hr. Differences between theoretically predicted and measured concentrations of simazine in solution following desorption were least for soils that attained equilibrium fastest during adsorption. Differences in adsorption and desorption kinetics between soils could not be related to soil pH, organic carbon content or cropping and manuring history. Comparisons of unlimed and limed soils suggested that no simnazine was lost by acid hydrolysis during the experiments.
Adsorption et désorption de la simazine par quelques sols de Rothamsted