Immunochemistry of 7 S domain of type IV collagen.

The 7 S domain of type IV collagen was isolated from various basement membranes by pepsin and bacterial collagenase digestion. The antibodies were raised in rabbits against human placental 7 S and bovine cortex 7 S. The antisera were studied for their binding to 7 S samples. The results showed a lack of tissue specificity to 7 S from the same species. In contrast no cross-reactivity was found between 7 S from different species. A set of peptides from 7 S were also prepared and tested for their binding to antiserum, showing retention of some antigenic sites.