Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
An epitope, also known as antigenic determinant, is the part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells. The part of an antibody that binds to the epitope is called a paratope .
In immunology, epitope mapping is the process of experimentally identifying the binding site, or epitope, of an antibody on its target antigen (usually, on a protein). [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Identification and characterization of antibody binding sites aid in the discovery and development of new therapeutics , vaccines , and diagnostics .
Recognition of epitopes in a linear fashion. Note: the same (colored) segment of protein can be a part of more than one epitopes. In immunology, a linear epitope (also sequential epitope) is an epitope—a binding site on an antigen—that is recognized by antibodies by its linear sequence of amino acids (i.e. primary structure).
Antigen-antibody interaction, or antigen-antibody reaction, is a specific chemical interaction between antibodies produced by B cells of the white blood cells and antigens during immune reaction. The antigens and antibodies combine by a process called agglutination.
Note how the segments widely separated in the primary structure have come in contact in the three-dimensional tertiary structure forming part of the same epitope [1] In immunology, a conformational epitope is a sequence of sub-units (usually amino acids) composing an antigen that come in direct contact with a receptor of the immune system.
A non-specific immune cell is an immune cell (such as a macrophage, neutrophil, or dendritic cell) that responds to many antigens, not just one antigen. Non-specific immune cells function in the first line of defense against infection or injury.
Epitope spreading, also known as determinant spreading, is another common way in which autoimmunity can occur which uses the molecular mimicry mechanism. Autoreactive T cells are activated de novo by self epitopes released secondary to pathogen-specific T cell-mediated bystander damage. [16]
The first use of epitope tagging was described by Munro and Pelham in 1984. [4] The FLAG-tag was the second example of a fully functional, improved epitope tag, published in the scientific literature. [1] [5] [6] and was the only epitope tag to be patented. [7] [8] It has since become one of the most commonly used protein tags in laboratories ...