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a Related Biological Terms:

anticodon

The three-nucleotide sequence of a tRNA molecule that is complementary to a triplet of mRNA (the codon) which specifies a certain amino acid.

anticodon arm

(see cloverleaf)

antifolate

An antimetabolite that blocks the action of tetrahydrofolic acid-dependent reactions, usually by inhibition of folic acid reductase.

antifreeze protein

AFP; a protein, notably present in the blood of Antarctic Ocean FISH, that adsorbs to ice crystals and prevents their growth.Davies, P.L. and Sykes, B.D. (1997) Curr. Opin. Struct. Biol. 7, 828-834

antigen (immunogen)

A substance that causes production of an antibody directed against itself.

antigen presentation

The appearance on the surface of a cell of a foreign protein, e.g. one that arises from viral infection, in a complex with a class I major histocompatibility complex protein. It is this complex that is recognized by killer T-cells. Barinaga, M. (1990) Science 250, 1657-1658

antigenic determinant

(= epitope)

antigenic mimicry

The phenomenon of two proteins having very similar epitopes, so that antibodies raised against one, for instance a foreign protein, will also react with a second, for instance an endogenous protein.Bachmaier, K., Neu, N., de la Maza, L.M., Pal, S., Hessel, A. and Penninger, J.M. (1999) Science 283, 1335-1339

antigenized antibody

An "antigenized antibody" refers to an antibody that has been engineered to carry an antigen within its structure. This concept is part of advanced immunological and biotechnological techniques where antibodies are modified for various research, diagnostic, and therapeutic purposes. Here's an overview of the concept: 1. Structure and Design: In an antigenized antibody, a specific antigen or peptide is integrated into the antibody's framework. This is usually achieved through genetic engineering techniques where the DNA sequence encoding for the antigen is inserted into the DNA sequence of the antibody. The antigen is typically inserted into regions of the antibody that do not interfere with its binding ability. 2. Purpose of Antigenization: The main goal of creating antigenized antibodies is to induce an immune response against the introduced antigen. By linking the antigen to an antibody, the antigen can be more effectively presented to the immune system, potentially leading to a stronger or more specific immune response. 3. Vaccine Development: One of the applications of antigenized antibodies is in the field of vaccine development. Antigens from pathogens (like viruses or bacteria) can be presented by these modified antibodies to elicit an immune response without the need for the pathogen itself, enhancing safety and efficacy. 4. Research Applications: Antigenized antibodies are used in research to study immune responses, including the identification of critical epitopes (the part of the antigen recognized by the immune system) and the development of novel immunotherapies. 5. Therapeutic Potential: In the context of therapeutic applications, antigenized antibodies can be used to target specific immune responses against diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disorders. 6. Customization and Specificity: This technique allows for the customization of antibodies to carry specific antigens, thereby targeting particular aspects of the immune system. The specificity of the immune response can be crucial in the effectiveness of treatments or vaccines. 7. Production: The production of antigenized antibodies involves sophisticated biotechnological processes, including recombinant DNA technology, antibody engineering, and often complex manufacturing and purification processes. In summary, antigenized antibodies represent a merging of immunological and biotechnological techniques to create novel tools for vaccines, therapeutic interventions, and research into immune responses. They exemplify the advancements in genetic engineering and molecular immunology.

antimetabolite

An inhibitor of a key enzyme in metabolism, used to suppress the activity of the cell; often used in chemotherapy.

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