E1j, A quantitative variant atcholinesterase locus 1: immunological evidence

The sera containing the Eli allele showreduced numbers ofimmunologically active cholinesterase molecules. Thisfinding isconsistent withthepreviously advanced hypothesis thatEli results inreduced numbers ofcirculating 'usual' (E,u) molecules. Whetherthis reduction istheresult ofthelowrateofsynthesis orofan increased rateofdegradation ofthe cholinesterase remains tobedetermined. Intheimmediately preceding paperafamily was presented whosegenetic and biochemical data strongly suggest thepresence ofarareallele (Eli) at cholinesterase locus1 (Garry etal,1976).The dataareconsistent withthehypothesis thattheEli genecauses reduced numbersofcirculating usual (Elu) enzymemolecules. Inthepresent paperwe offer immunological evidence insupport ofthis hypothesis.