[Effect of dehydration on interdomain interactions in immunoglobulin G and its fragments]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2026

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
Abstract:
Influence of urea on the structure of human IgG and isolated Fab and Fc-fragments was investigated by temperature-perturbation difference spectroscopy and circular dichroism. It was shown that 2M urea caused non-denaturational changes of IgG quaternary structure, localized in Fab-fragments. The same changes occur in solutions with ethylene glycol and glycerine as well. Apparently the main cause of these changes is dehydration. It is possible that the investigated effects model the conformational changes which appear in immunoglobulins after antigen binding.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Humoral Immune Responses
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...
Affinity and Avidity
Protein Denaturation
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.
Antibody Actions
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...

