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Antibody Structure

Antibody Structure

Overview
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 and Classes

Antibody Structure and Classes

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are produced by B cells in response to foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. These proteins are critical for recognizing and neutralizing these substances, protecting the body from potential harm.
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.

Oligosaccharide Assembly

Oligosaccharide Assembly

Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...

Antibody Actions

Antibody Actions

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...

Chemistry of Carbohydrates

Chemistry of Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are an essential part of the diet in humans and animals. Grains, fruits, and vegetables are natural sources of carbohydrates that provide energy to the body, particularly through glucose, a simple sugar that is a component of starch and an ingredient in many staple foods. The stoichiometric formula (CH2O)n, where n is the number of carbons in the molecule represents carbohydrates. In other words, the ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is 1:2:1 in carbohydrate molecules. This...

Hybridoma Technology

Hybridoma Technology

Hybridoma technology is used for the large-scale production of monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies bind to only a single antigenic determinant or epitope. Such antibodies are used in research, diagnostics, and disease therapy. The hybridoma technology established in 1975 by Georges Köhler and Cesar Milstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1984 for revolutionizing research and therapy.
Hybridoma Selection
Commonly used fusion techniques — electroporation, polyethylene glycol...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study

Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study

Published on: June 29, 2016

THE ANTIBODY-FORMATION BY POLYSACCHARIDS.

¹Kitasato Institute for Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.

The Journal of Experimental Medicine

|October 30, 2009

Summary

Polysaccharides like inulin, starch, and dextrin can stimulate antibody production in rabbits. Proteins may act as vehicles in this immune response, though further research is needed.

Area of Science:

Immunology
Biochemistry

Background:

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates with diverse biological roles.
The antigenic properties of polysaccharides are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the immunogenicity of inulin, soluble starch, and dextrin.
To determine the role of proteins in polysaccharide-induced antibody production.

Main Methods:

Complement fixation tests were used to detect specific antibodies.
Precipitation reactions were employed to assess immune sera.
Protein color reactions were performed to analyze nitrogen content.

Main Results:

Inulin, soluble starch, and dextrin elicited specific antibodies in rabbit sera.

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Printed Glycan Array: A Sensitive Technique for the Analysis of the Repertoire of Circulating Anti-carbohydrate Antibodies in Small Animals

Printed Glycan Array: A Sensitive Technique for the Analysis of the Repertoire of Circulating Anti-carbohydrate Antibodies in Small Animals

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Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study

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No precipitation reactions were observed with the immune sera.

Partially decomposed dextrin lost its antigenic property.

Inulin demonstrated the strongest antigenicity, followed by soluble starch and dextrin.

Nitrogen content was detected in all polysaccharides, with protein contributing significantly to soluble starch's nitrogen.

Conclusions:

Inulin, soluble starch, and dextrin are capable of inducing antibody formation.
Proteins may function as vehicles in the immune response to these polysaccharides.
Further studies are required to confirm the role of proteins in this process.