| immunoglobulin gm allotypes | Hereditary allotypic markers associated with the heavy chain of IgG. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| immunoglobulin G subclass deficiency | A rare inherited disorder in which there are reduced levels of one or more IgG subclasses resulting from defective heavy chain genes or an abnormality in the regulation of immunoglobulin isotype switching. (05 Mar 2000) |
| immunoglobulin idiotypes | Unique, genetically controlled determinants present on antibodies whose specificity is limited to a single group of proteins (e.g., another antibody molecule or an individual myeloma protein). The idiotype appears to represent the antigenicity of the antigen-binding site of the antibody and to be genetically codetermined with it. The idiotypic determinants have been precisely located to the variable regions of both immunoglobin polypeptide chains. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunoglobulin inv allotypes | Hereditary allotypic markers associated with the light chain of IgG. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunoglobulin isotypes | The classes of immunoglobulins found in any species of animal. In man there are nine classes that migrate in five different groups in electrophoresis; they each consist of two light and two heavy protein chains, and each group has distinguishing structural and functional properties. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunoglobulin joining region | Segment of light and heavy chains of mouse and human immunoglobulins where the genes for the variable region upstream join those of the constant region downstream (an important part of the antibody diversity mechanism). In the joining region of the light chain are the genes coding for amino acids 96 to 107. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunoglobulin M | <immunology> An immunoglobulin M molecule (970 kD) is built up from five immunoglobulin G type monomers joined together, with the assistance of J chains, to form a cyclic pentamer. Immunoglobulin M binds complement and a single molecule bound to a cell surface can lyse that cell. Immunoglobulin M is usually produced first in an immune response before immunoglobulin G. The human red cell isoantibodies are immunoglobulin M antibodies. Heavy chain (mu chain) is rather larger than the heavy chains of other immunoglobulins. (30 Mar 1998) |
| immunoglobulin superfamily | <immunology> A large group of proteins with immunoglobulin like domains. most are involved with cell surface recognition events. Sequence homologyy suggests that immunoglobulins, MHC molecules, some cell adhesion molecules and cytokines receptors share close homology and thus belong to a multigene family. (30 Mar 1998) |
| immunoglobulin switch region | Site on a segment of a B-cell immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene where recombination or rearrangement can occur, expressed as isotype or allotype switching, maturation of immune response, or recombination of DNA molecules. It is found on genes encoding all five immunoglobulin heavy chains. (12 Dec 1998) |
| immunoglobulin variable region | That region of the immunoglobulin (antibody) molecule that varies in its amino acid sequence and composition, confers the antigenic specificity, and is thought to comprise the binding site for the antigen. It is located at the n-terminus of the fab fragment of the immunoglobulin. It includes hypervariable and framework regions, vh family subgroups, and the complementarity-determining region. (12 Dec 1998) |
| intravenous immunoglobulin | <pharmacology> A sterile solution of concentrated antibodies extracted from healthy people. IVIG is used to prevent bacterial infections in people with low or inappropriate antibody production. Injected into a vein or muscle. (09 Oct 1997) |
| tetanus immunoglobulin | <protein> A protein antibody to tetanus toxin, given as passive immunity for those lacking any prior tetanus vaccination. (27 Sep 1997) |
| thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin | <protein> A test that measures the amount of an antibody (thyroid stimulating antibody) which is directed against a receptor for TSH on the thyroid gland. This antibody acts like TSH and stimulates the thyroid to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. The presence of this antibody generally indicates Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism). (27 Sep 1997) |
| A chain | A polypeptide component of insulin containing 21 amino acyl residues, beginning with a glycyl residue (NH2-terminus); insulin is formed by the linkage of an A chain to a B chain by two disulfide bonds; the amino-acid composition of the A chain is a function of species. Synonym: glycyl chain. In general, one of the polypeptides in a multiprotein complex. (05 Mar 2000) |
| alpha chain disease | A vague or indefinite term; could be used for alpha-heavy-chain disease (a lymphoplasma cell proliferative disease usually seen in Mediterranean men, characterised by intestinal involvement with steatorrhoea, often progressive with fatal outcome) or a thalassaemia (a genetic abnormality in the alpha globin chain of haemoglobin). (05 Mar 2000) |