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Three-Dimensional Structure of Antibodies

Three-Dimensional Structure of Antibodies The general principles of the genetic control and the three-dimensional structure of antibody molecules have been worked out in the last 20 years. This very exciting period has seen the unraveling of the mechanisms that generate diversity in a molecule which participates in an adaptive response to varied environmental conditions. This diversity is superimposed on a pattern of genetic transmission of constant hereditary traits and, in molec­ ular terms, a constant molecular structure. The antibody molecule has thus been repeatedly presented as a paradigm of biological flexibility; its functional and structural individuality is superimposed on a carefully conserved structure. However, not all the problems posed by antibody function and specificity a detailed understanding of the structural bases of specifcity i physicochemical characterization of antibody action at the molecular level are only beginning. Ways of approaching these problems have been cleared by recent developments in the characterization of immune processes and of the cells and molecules that are the effectors of those processes. In addition to that research, there is a continuing search for a molecular definition of immunogenicity and antigenicity, for new uses of antibody molecules in regulating immune responses, in mimicking foreign antigens, and in delivering therapeutic http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Annual Review of Immunology Annual Reviews

Three-Dimensional Structure of Antibodies

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References (67)

Publisher
Annual Reviews
Copyright
Copyright 1988 Annual Reviews. All rights reserved
Subject
Review Articles
ISSN
0732-0582
eISSN
1545-3278
DOI
10.1146/annurev.iy.06.040188.003011
pmid
2454644
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The general principles of the genetic control and the three-dimensional structure of antibody molecules have been worked out in the last 20 years. This very exciting period has seen the unraveling of the mechanisms that generate diversity in a molecule which participates in an adaptive response to varied environmental conditions. This diversity is superimposed on a pattern of genetic transmission of constant hereditary traits and, in molec­ ular terms, a constant molecular structure. The antibody molecule has thus been repeatedly presented as a paradigm of biological flexibility; its functional and structural individuality is superimposed on a carefully conserved structure. However, not all the problems posed by antibody function and specificity a detailed understanding of the structural bases of specifcity i physicochemical characterization of antibody action at the molecular level are only beginning. Ways of approaching these problems have been cleared by recent developments in the characterization of immune processes and of the cells and molecules that are the effectors of those processes. In addition to that research, there is a continuing search for a molecular definition of immunogenicity and antigenicity, for new uses of antibody molecules in regulating immune responses, in mimicking foreign antigens, and in delivering therapeutic

Journal

Annual Review of ImmunologyAnnual Reviews

Published: Apr 1, 1988

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