Specific recognition of protein carboxy-terminal sequences by natural IgM antibodies in normal serum

Our previous study indicated that normal serum contains complement-fixing n atural IgM antibodies reacting with a large variety of randomly generated p rotein carboxy-termini. Here we show that the "carboxy-terminal" IgM (C-IgM ) antibodies specifically react with short peptide sequences located immedi ately at the protein carboxy-terminus. The specificity of C-IgM-peptide int eractions is tentatively defined by three to four amino acid residues. All carboxy-terminal peptides in a large peptide library apparently react with C-IgM antibodies. Immobilized synthetic peptides also react with C-IgM anti bodies. No interaction of C-IgM antibodies with internal peptide sequences has been observed. C-IgM antibodies are present in germ-free and in athymic adult rats and are absent in newborn rats. The natural ubiquity of protein carboxy-termini in biological structures suggests that C-IgM could play an important role in antigen clearance and presentation to the immune system. From a practical viewpoint, the recognition of carboxy-terminal peptides b y complement-fixing C-IgM antibodies has profound implications for the use of peptide- and protein-derivatized delivery vehicles and artificial materi als.