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Each antibody binds to a specific antigen in a highly specific interaction analogous to a lock and key.. An antibody (Ab) or immunoglobulin (Ig) is a large, Y-shaped protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily which is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize antigens such as bacteria and viruses, including those that cause disease.
Antibody (or immunoglobulin) structure is made up of two heavy-chains and two light-chains.These chains are held together by disulfide bonds.The arrangement or processes that put together different parts of this antibody molecule play important role in antibody diversity and production of different subclasses or classes of antibodies.
The universal structure of antibody includes the constant regions part of the fragment crystallizable(Fc) region of the antibody (shown in dark blue). It also includes the fragment antigen binding which is composed of one heavy and one light chain (shown as L for light and H for heavy).
Structure of a Fab with light and heavy chains. The fragment antigen-binding region ( Fab region ) is a region on an antibody that binds to antigens . It is composed of one constant and one variable domain of each of the heavy and the light chain .
The IgG, IgE and IgA antibody isotypes are generated following class-switching during germinal centre reaction and provide different effector functions in response to specific antigens. IgG is the most abundant antibody class in the serum and it is divided into 4 subclasses based on differences in the structure of the constant region genes and ...
Antibodies are major components of humoral immunity. IgG is the main type of antibody found in blood and extracellular fluid, allowing it to control infection of body tissues. By binding many kinds of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, IgG protects the body from infection. [citation needed]
An immune complex, sometimes called an antigen-antibody complex or antigen-bound antibody, is a molecule formed from the binding of multiple antigens to antibodies. [1] The bound antigen and antibody act as a unitary object, effectively an antigen of its own with a specific epitope .
An antibody molecule. The two heavy chains are colored red, blue, and purple. The two light chains green and yellow. See also: The immunoglobulin light chain is the small polypeptide subunit of an antibody (immunoglobulin). A typical antibody is composed of two immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chains and two Ig light chains.