Genetic Control of Deficiencies in _γG Subclasses observed among Families with Hypogammaglobulinaemia

Abstract

SEVERAL research units have studied the genetic mechanisms controlling the synthesis of immunoglobulins and its alteration in hypogammaglobulinaemia. Fudenberg et al.¹ investigated Gm and Inv groups in families with agammaglobulinaemia, and suggested the involvement of two genes in the synthesis of an immunoglobulin: one controlling the synthesis of the heavy chains, the other that of the light chains. Burtin et al.² applied the same principle in their studies on “non sex-linked atypic hypogammaglobulinaemia”, and postulated the existence of abnormal alleles leading to an impaired synthesis of the heavy chains of one or several immunoglobulins.