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Related Concept Videos

Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Antibody Structure01:10

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...
Cross-reactivity00:42

Cross-reactivity

Overview
Antibody Structure and Classes01:25

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.
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity01:20

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing
08:51

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing

Published on: March 15, 2019

Variable region identical immunoglobulins differing in isotype express different paratopes.

Alena Janda1, Ertan Eryilmaz2, Antonio Nakouzi1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461.

The Journal of Biological Chemistry
|August 30, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Antibody constant regions influence antibody specificity. This study shows how constant regions alter antibody structure, impacting immune responses and vaccine efficacy.

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T and B Cell Receptor Immune Repertoire Analysis using Next-generation Sequencing
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T and B Cell Receptor Immune Repertoire Analysis using Next-generation Sequencing

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing
08:51

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing

Published on: March 15, 2019

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay
06:15

Characterization of Thymus-dependent and Thymus-independent Immunoglobulin Isotype Responses in Mice Using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

Published on: September 7, 2018

T and B Cell Receptor Immune Repertoire Analysis using Next-generation Sequencing
08:59

T and B Cell Receptor Immune Repertoire Analysis using Next-generation Sequencing

Published on: January 12, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Antibody (Ab) constant (C) region's influence on fine specificity is known but mechanistically unclear.
  • This phenomenon is crucial for vaccine responses and antibody diversity generation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the molecular mechanism by which antibody C regions affect paratope structure and antigen binding.
  • To test the hypothesis that C regions impose conformational constraints on variable (V) regions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized (15)N-labeled peptide mimetics to probe the antibody paratope.
  • Employed Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and fluorescence emission spectroscopy.
  • Compared variable region-identical IgG isotypes (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3) to identify isotype-specific effects.

Main Results:

  • Observed isotype-related differences in fluorescence emission spectroscopy.
  • Detected temperature-dependent variations in peptide mimetic binding and cleavage.
  • Demonstrated that C regions can modify V region conformation.

Conclusions:

  • The antibody C region actively modulates V region structure, altering the paratope.
  • This provides a molecular explanation for how antibody isotype influences antigen specificity.
  • Highlights the role of isotype switching in generating functional antibody diversity.