[Phylogeny of the e allotypic system of rabbit immunoglobulins: study of determinants recognized on ochotona IgG by anti-e15 antisera]

Abstract

The phylogenetic studies of Cgamma allotypes already made in the Leporidae was extended to another family of lagomorphs, the Ochotonidae. The d allotypic system is only found in rabbits; thus, it appeared late in the lagomorphs evolution. The e system has two alleles (e14 and e15, present in rabbits and in another Leporidae genus (Sylvilagus). Previous studies on hare IgG showed that e15 pattern is composed of at least two " determinants " (or group of determinants) i and j. The hare has three allotypic patterns i+j+, i+j- and i-j-. All the studied ochotonae (from Afghanistan and Iran) possess the i determinant. From comparisons between results obtained with various genera of lagomorphs, and hypothetical scheme is proposed for the evolution of the Cgamma gene on the basis of the series allotypes.