EPITOPE AND PARATOPE
Here's a more detailed table elaborating on the
characteristics, definitions, and examples of epitopes and paratopes:
|
Concept |
Definition |
Characteristics |
Examples |
Location |
|
Epitope |
- Also known as an antigenic
determinant. |
- Specific region on an antigen
that binds to an antibody. |
- Amino acid sequences, small
molecular structures. |
- Surface of antigens. |
|
- The part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune
system. |
- Can be a structural feature on proteins, lipids, or
carbohydrates. |
- Peptide fragments, sugar molecules. |
- On the surface of pathogens, cells, or molecules. |
|
|
- Triggers an immune response
when recognized by antibodies. |
- Variable in size and structure. |
- Unique to specific pathogens or
molecules. |
- Protein, glycoprotein,
glycolipid surfaces. |
|
|
- Often involves amino acid sequences. |
- Essential for the specificity of immune responses. |
- Viral coat proteins, bacterial cell wall components. |
||
|
- Multiple epitopes can exist on
a single antigen. |
- May induce the production of
different antibodies. |
- Conformational epitopes, linear
epitopes. |
||
|
Paratope |
- Also known as the antigen-binding site. |
- Region on an antibody that binds to a specific epitope. |
- Located on the variable regions of antibody chains. |
- On the antibody molecule. |
|
- Complementary to the shape of
the epitope. |
- Highly specific to the
structure of the recognized epitope. |
- Variable regions of heavy and
light antibody chains. |
||
|
- Determines the specificity of the antibody. |
- Part of the antibody responsible for binding to
antigens. |
- Antibody Fab region. |
||
|
- Crucial for antigen-antibody
interactions. |
- Exhibits specificity and
selectivity for certain epitopes. |
- Recognition of viral proteins, and
bacterial antigens. |
||
|
- Variability in the paratope allows for diverse antibody
responses. |
- Includes hypervariable loops in variable regions. |
- Antibody-antigen binding in immune responses. |
Key Points:
- Epitope:
The antigenic determinant on the surface of an antigen that triggers an
immune response.
- Paratope:
The antigen-binding site on an antibody, complementary to the epitope,
determining the specificity of the immune response.
This table provides a more comprehensive overview, including
definitions, characteristics, and examples, to help understand the roles of
epitopes and paratopes in immune responses.