What is the role of the variable regions of an antibody? Of the constant regions?
What is the role of the variable regions of an antibody? Of the constant regions?
ANtibodiesare also known as Immunoglobulins, these are immune system-related proteins. They are developed against specific antigens by the B cells. The antibodies are composed of four polypeptides which have two heavy chains and two light chains, together they form a Y-shaped molecule.
The upper region of the antibody is known as the variable region as it consists of 110-130 amino acid sequences that s responsible for providing specificity for the binding antigen. The regions of this variable zone are the ends of the light and heavy chains. The variable region of an antibody ae different for each antigen and hence different for each antibody. Treating the antibody with a protease can cleave this region, produce fragment antigen-binding that includes the variable ends of an antibody.
The other region of the antibody is the constant region, this region determines the mechanism which is used to destroy an antigen. The constant region of the antibody determines whether the antibody is IgM, IgG, IgE, IgD, or IgA. It makes sure that the antibody generates an appropriate immune response,
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