Reversilble Blocking of T2 Bacteriophage Antiserum with Polyelectrolytes

During the course of our studies on the effect of polyanions upon the viability of bacteriophage T2 (1, 2), we noticed that the ability of specific antiserum to neutralize this virus can be blocked by a small amount of anionic polyelectrolyte. It is well established that complementary structure plays a role in the specific fit of antigen and antibody in the complex, and it is thought currently that the forces which hold the complex together are mainly of hydrophobic character. However, it is of interest to study the effect of polyelectrolytes on the interaction of antigen and antibody molecules. The previously reported effects of pH and salt concentration on the neutralization rate of bacteriophage by specific antiserum suggest that the collision frequency between antibody and virus and the rate of virus inactivation may be controlled by Coulomb attraction or repulsion forces (3). I f a third charged macromolecular component such as a strong polyanion is present together with the virus, and then the antibody is added, preferential formation of complexes may occur between the polyelectrolyte and the amphoteric antibody, thus preventing inactivation of the virus. If the forces holding the antibody and the polyelectrolyte together are electrostatic in nature, it should be possible to dissociate this complex, and the antibody should then recover its virus-neutralizing ability. Reversible inactivation of T2 bacteriophage antiserum by polyelectrolytes is the subject of this communication.