Antibodies - Diebel Flashcards
What is the H chain?
2 identical residue chains linked by disulfide bonds at the hinge region 5 kinds that define the class of antibody: gamma alpha mu epsilon delta
What is the L chain?
2 identical residue chains linked to heavy chain by disulfide bonds Two different types: kappa lambda
What is a variable domain?
Antigen Binding Sites
domain that is different in sequence between antibodies of different specificities
N-terminal of both heavy chain (VH) and light chain (VL)
What is a constant domain?
region of each chain type that is essentially identical no matter what the specificities of the antibodies are
1 in light chains up to 4 in heavy chains
What are hypervariable regions?
most amino acid sequence variability in the V domain is in 3 areas = hypervariable regions
amino acids in the hypervariable regions comprise the actual antigen-binding site Complementarity-determining regions (CDRs)
What is the Fab?
2 identical branches (split pieces of the "Y") of an antibody cut at hinge region not linked Includes 2 heavy chains 2 light chains
What is the FC?
bottom trunk/stalk of antibody if cut at the hinge region with papain
Composed of:
2 heavy chains
What is the F(ab’)2?
two antigen-binding F(ab) portions linked together by disulfide bonds
retain some of hinge region
What are the five classes of antibodies?
IgG - three constant domains in heavy chain
IgA - three constant domains, forms dimer connected by J-chain, with secretory portion
IgM - four constant domains, forms pentamer, connected by J-chain
IgD - three constant domains, only in B-cells, membrane bound
IgE - four constant domains, only secreted in monomeric form
What is the function of IgG?
neutralizes toxins and blood-borne viruses
binds bacteria and facilitates their destruction by:
activating complement
binding them to phagocytic cells
What is the function of IgA?
present in mucosal areas
secretory component protects it from proteolysis
allows for translocation of the dimer through epithelial layers
What is the function of IgM?
neutralizes toxins and blood-borne viruses
binds bacteria and facilitates their destruction by:
very efficient complement activator
first antibody to appear in serum after immunization
has not gone through class switching recombination
What is the function of IgD?
Uncertain
possiby functions mainly as a receptor on naïve B-cells
What is the function of IgE?
confers resistance to worms and other parasites
causes Type I Immunopathology = immediate hypersensitivity/allergy
What is antibody valence?
number of antigenic determinants (epitopes) an antibody molecule can theoretically bind
IgG = 2 IgA = 4 (because it is a dimer) IgM = 10 (because it is a pentamer) Fab = 1 F(ab')2 = 2 isolated VL = 0 (does not fxn alone) isolated VH = 0 (does not fxn alone)
What are antibody isotypes?
subclasses of antibodies
e.g. IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4
constant domain regions are slightly different, but the variable domain stays the same
How many antibody isotypes are there all together in all five classes of antibodies?
10
What are antibody allotypes?
minor allelic differences in the sequence of immunoglobulins between individuals
determined by the allotypes of your parents (Mendelian fashion)
e.g. comparing two IgG1 molecules, but one is from a gene from one parent, and the other is from a gene from the other parent
What are antibody idiotypes?
unique combining region (variable regions)
made up of the CDR amino acids of its Light and Heavy chains
What is the relative concentration of IgG in the serum?
1000 mg/dL
What is the relative concentration of IgA in the serum?
200 mg/dL
What is the relative concentration of IgM in the serum?
100 mg/dL
What is the relative concentration of IgD in the serum?
5 mg/dL
What is the relative concentration of IgE in the serum?
0.02 mg/dL
What part of antibodies does kappa and lambda refer to?
kappa refers to one of the constant light chain possibilities
lambda refers to the other constant light chain possibility
Which antibody isotypes have the highest serum half life?
IgG = 8-23 days
IgA = 6 days
IgM = 5 days
Which antibody isotype can cross the placenta?
IgG
Which antibody isotype is the largest (molecular weight)?
IgM = 900 kD
IgA = 150-600kD, IgE = 190kD
Which antibody isotype is the best for complement fixation?
IgM