Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Determining the Ice-binding Planes of Antifreeze Proteins by Fluorescence-based Ice Plane Affinity
Published on: January 15, 2014
Adsorption of IgG onto hydrophobic teflon. Differences between the F(ab) and F(c) domains
A W Vermeer1, C E Giacomelli, W Norde
1Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 6, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands. ronald.vermeer.rv@bayer-ag.de
The effect of differences in the degree of hydrophobicity of protein patches/fragments on the adsorption behaviour of the protein is investigated. The adsorption isotherm of a monoclonal mouse anti-human immunoglobulin G (isotype 2b) onto hydrophobic Teflon particles is measured using a depletion method. The adsorption-induced denaturation of the immunoglobulin as a function of the adsorbed amount is studied by differential scanning calorimetry, and the corresponding rearrangements in the secondary structure of the whole IgG molecule and its F(ab) and F(c) fragments are determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The effects of adsorption on the F(ab) and F(c) fragments in the intact IgG molecule occur independently. Adsorption of the whole IgG molecule leads to denaturation of the F(ab) fragments, whereas the F(c) fragment remains unperturbed; adsorption of the isolated fragments results in structural changes in both F(ab) and F(c). The surface hydrophobicity of the isolated fragments was studied by HPLC. These experiments support the hypothesis that differences in the degree of denaturation between F(ab) and F(c) are due to the higher degree of hydrophobicity of the F(ab) fragment. The adsorption-induced changes in the secondary structure are more prominent for the isolated fragments as compared to intact IgG. This is ascribed to the higher flexibility of the isolated fragment, as compared to the fragment in the whole molecule.
The effect of differences in the degree of hydrophobicity of protein patches/fragments on the adsorption behaviour of the protein is investigated. The adsorption isotherm of a monoclonal mouse anti-human immunoglobulin G (isotype 2b) onto hydrophobic Teflon particles is measured using a depletion method. The adsorption-induced denaturation of the immunoglobulin as a function of the adsorbed amount is studied by differential scanning calorimetry, and the corresponding rearrangements in the secondary structure of the whole IgG molecule and its F(ab) and F(c) fragments are determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The effects of adsorption on the F(ab) and F(c) fragments in the intact IgG molecule occur independently. Adsorption of the whole IgG molecule leads to denaturation of the F(ab) fragments, whereas the F(c) fragment remains unperturbed; adsorption of the isolated fragments results in structural changes in both F(ab) and F(c). The surface hydrophobicity of the isolated fragments was studied by HPLC. These experiments support the hypothesis that differences in the degree of denaturation between F(ab) and F(c) are due to the higher degree of hydrophobicity of the F(ab) fragment. The adsorption-induced changes in the secondary structure are more prominent for the isolated fragments as compared to intact IgG. This is ascribed to the higher flexibility of the isolated fragment, as compared to the fragment in the whole molecule.
More Related Videos
09:04Covalent Binding of Antibodies to Cellulose Paper Discs and Their Applications in Naked-eye Colorimetric Immunoassays
Published on: October 21, 2016
07:53Activated Cross-linked Agarose for the Rapid Development of Affinity Chromatography Resins - Antibody Capture as a Case Study
Published on: August 16, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Antibody Structure
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Antibody Structure
Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins (Ig), are essential players of the adaptive immune system. These antigen-binding proteins are produced by B cells and make up 20 percent of the total blood plasma by weight. In mammals, antibodies fall into five different classes, which each elicits a different biological response upon antigen binding.
The Y-Shaped Structure of Antibodies Consists of Four Polypeptide Chains
Antibodies consist of four polypeptide chains: two identical heavy...
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Antibody Structure and Classes
The basic structure of an antibody consists of four protein chains: two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. These chains are held together by disulfide bonds and other non-covalent interactions, forming a Y-shaped structure.