Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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

Antibody Structure

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.

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

SRC-mediated phosphorylation of UBC9 regulates inflammatory and metabolic signaling in alcohol-associated liver disease.

Science advances·2026

Same author

A small molecule inhibitor of ARF GTPase protein 1 limits liver and colon cancer cell growth and metastasis.

Cell death & disease·2026

Same author

Butyrophilin 2A2 promotes T cell immunoregulation via CD45 phosphatase activation and protects against murine autoimmune glomerulonephritis and pregnancy loss.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

HDAC4/MybL1/YAP novel signaling axis is required for pancreatic cancer metastasis to the liver.

International journal of biological sciences·2025

Same author

ONECUT2: a validated drug target and lineage plasticity driver in prostate cancer and other malignancies.

Endocrine-related cancer·2025

Same author

Modulation of the PTPRS proteoglycan switch by antibodies binding to the membrane-proximal fibronectin-type III domain.

The Journal of biological chemistry·2025

Same journal

Correction: Jiménez-Sánchez et al. Antioxidant Enzymes Genetic Variants Associated with Urticaria/Angioedema Induced by Cross-Reactive Hypersensitivity to Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. <i>Pharmaceuticals</i> 2026, <i>19</i>, 522.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same journal

Correction: Zhao et al. Multifunctional Gel Films of Marine Polysaccharides Cross-Linked with Poly-Metal Ions for Wound Healing. <i>Pharmaceuticals</i> 2022, <i>15</i>, 750.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same journal

Intravenous Immunoglobulin Reveals a Novel Protective Mechanism: Targeting the GBP5-Driven Pyroptosis Axis in Experimental Colitis.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same journal

Icariin Attenuates Renal Injury in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats with and Without Adenine-Induced Chronic Kidney Disease.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same journal

AI-Assisted Identification of a Putative Allosteric Ligand Targeting the CDK4/Cyclin D1 Protein-Protein Interface.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

Same journal

Development and Study of Hydrophilic Ointment Compositions with a Dextrin/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Iodine Complex (D/PVA/I).

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Split-and-pool Synthesis and Characterization of Peptide Tertiary Amide Library

Split-and-pool Synthesis and Characterization of Peptide Tertiary Amide Library

Published on: June 20, 2014

Structure based antibody-like peptidomimetics.

Ramachandran Murali¹, Mark I Greene

¹Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, D5091 Davis Building, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. muralir@csmc.edu.

Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

|November 30, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers are developing smaller biologic drugs, like antibodies, to reduce costs without losing effectiveness. These new small molecule drugs and diagnostics show promise for treating diseases, including cancer.

More Related Videos

Peptide Scanning-assisted Identification of a Monoclonal Antibody-recognized Linear B-cell Epitope

Peptide Scanning-assisted Identification of a Monoclonal Antibody-recognized Linear B-cell Epitope

Published on: March 24, 2017

Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets

Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets

Published on: November 2, 2011

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Split-and-pool Synthesis and Characterization of Peptide Tertiary Amide Library

Split-and-pool Synthesis and Characterization of Peptide Tertiary Amide Library

Published on: June 20, 2014

Peptide Scanning-assisted Identification of a Monoclonal Antibody-recognized Linear B-cell Epitope

Peptide Scanning-assisted Identification of a Monoclonal Antibody-recognized Linear B-cell Epitope

Published on: March 24, 2017

Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets

Solid-phase Submonomer Synthesis of Peptoid Polymers and their Self-Assembly into Highly-Ordered Nanosheets

Published on: November 2, 2011

Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Immunology
Drug Discovery

Background:

Biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), are effective therapeutics but are costly.
Reducing the size of biologics like antibodies and receptors is crucial for cost-effective therapies.
Existing smaller biologics include single-chain antibodies and Fv fragments.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the development of small-size peptidomimetics from proteins with immunoglobulin folds.
To investigate the potential of these smaller molecules as diagnostic agents and therapeutics.
To discuss the prospects of reduced monoclonal antibodies as cancer drugs.

Main Methods:

Structure-based approach to design peptidomimetics.
Utilizing three-dimensional protein structures (e.g., CD4, antibodies).
Identifying small, high-affinity peptides through phage screening.

Main Results:

Developed small-size peptidomimetics that mimic parental macromolecule functions.
Constrained peptides offer insights into protein-protein interactions.
Demonstrated potential for small molecule drug development.

Conclusions:

Small peptidomimetics derived from biologics can retain biological efficacy.
These molecules present a viable platform for developing new drugs and diagnostics.
Prospects are promising for cancer treatment and diagnostics using reduced antibody formats.