Linear epitope
In
tertiary structure
).
An antigen is any substance that the
receptor, only specific segments that form the antigen bind with a specific antibody. Such segments are called epitopes. Likewise, it is only the paratope
of the antibody that comes in contact with the epitope.
primary structure, which typically does not present as simple line of sequential proteins (much like a knot, rather than a straight string). But, when an antigen is broken down in a lysosome, it yields small peptides, which can be recognized through the amino acids that lie continuously in a line, and hence are called linear epitopes.[1]
Significance
While performing molecular assays involving use of antibodies such as in the Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and ELISA, one should carefully choose antibodies that recognize linear or conformational epitopes.[2][3][4]
For instance, if a
beta-mercaptoethanol, and run in SDS-PAGE for the Western blot, the proteins are essentially denatured
and therefore cannot assume their natural three-dimensional conformations. Therefore, antibodies that recognize linear epitopes instead of conformational epitopes are chosen for immunodetection. In contrast, in immunohistochemistry where protein structure is preserved, antibodies that recognize conformational epitopes are preferred.
See also
References
- ISBN 0716749475.
- ^ "EMD - Calbiochem: Technical Tips/Immunochemical Applications". Archived from the original on 2008-04-11. Retrieved 2008-05-06.
- .
- .