SEROLOGICAL DIFFERENTIATION OF STERIC ISOMERS (ANTIGENS CONTAINING TARTARIC ACIDS)

Abstract

In continuation of studies on the stereochemical specificity of serum reactions, antigens were examined containing the acyl radicals of the levo-, dextro-, and meso-tartaric acids. It was found that in this case also, immune sera can readily be obtained which differentiate sharply the three antigens identical in every other respect but possessing stereoisomeric groups. Since the tartaric acids by their chemical constitution belong to the same class of substances as sugar acids the results have a bearing upon the question of the specificity of natural antigens containing carbohydrates such as have been described by Avery and Heidelberger.