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These two types of glycoproteins are distinguished by structural differences that give them their names. Glycoproteins vary greatly in composition, making many different compounds such as antibodies or hormones. [4] Due to the wide array of functions within the body, interest in glycoprotein synthesis for medical use has increased. [5]
An antibody can be called monospecific if it has specificity for a single antigen or epitope, [75] or bispecific if it has affinity for two different antigens or two different epitopes on the same antigen. [76] A group of antibodies can be called polyvalent (or unspecific) if they have affinity for various antigens [77] or microorganisms. [77]
In immunology the particular macromolecule bound by an antibody is referred to as an antigen and the area on an antigen to which the antibody binds is called an epitope. In some cases, an immunoassay may use an antigen to detect for the presence of antibodies, which recognize that antigen, in a solution.
Humoral immunity is the aspect of immunity that is mediated by macromolecules – including secreted antibodies, complement proteins, and certain antimicrobial peptides – located in extracellular fluids. Humoral immunity is named so because it involves substances found in the humors, or body fluids. It contrasts with cell-mediated immunity.
The immunologically active gamma globulins are also called "immunoglobulins" or "antibodies". As stated, globulins have different sizes, but the sex hormone-binding globulin has a molecular weight of 90 kDa. In certain subjects the sizes of the sex hormone differed from each other; some globulins had the size of 49 kDa, 52 kDa, and 56 kDa.
Chemical structure of a polypeptide macromolecule. A macromolecule is a very large molecule important to biological processes, such as a protein or nucleic acid. It is composed of thousands of covalently bonded atoms. Many macromolecules are polymers of smaller molecules called monomers.
An illustration that shows how antigens induce the immune system response by interacting with an antibody that matches the molecular structure of an antigen. In immunology, an antigen (Ag) is a molecule, moiety, foreign particulate matter, or an allergen, such as pollen, that can bind to a specific antibody or T-cell receptor. [1]
Antibodies are an example of proteins that attach to one specific type of molecule. Antibodies are composed of heavy and light chains. Two heavy chains would be linked to two light chains through disulfide linkages between their amino acids. Antibodies are specific through variation based on differences in the N-terminal domain. [44]