Purification of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) in the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Pooled dolphin sera (provided by Marine Animal Productions, Gulfport MS)
were processed to separate and purify IgG, IgA, and IgM. Following an initial partial
purification by ammonium sulfate precipitation methods, IgG was purified using Affigel-Blue
affinity chromatography. After the precipitated sample was applied to the column, 45 fractions
(3 ml/fraction) were collected. IgG came off the column with O.lM NaCl in 0.02M Tris buffer (pH
7.4) in fractions 17 to 22 with a peak at fraction 19. IgA and IgM were separated on the basis
of molecular weight by Sephacryl-400 gel chromatography. Using 0.5M NaCl in 0.02M Sodium
Phosphate (pH 7.3), IgM eluted from the column in fractions (1 ml/fraction) 26 to 31 with a
peak at 31. IgA eluted in fractions 32 to 33 with a peak at 33. The trailing edge of the IgM
peak caught the leading edge of the separation of IgA. Agarose electrophoresis was used to
further check the purification. Individual rabbits were immunized by standard protocol with the
purified immunoglobulins or whole serum. Specificity of the resulting antisera was determined
by Graber-Williams immunoelectrophoresis and by ELISA. Any cross-reacting antibodies were
removed by immunoabsorption.