Crystal structures of an antibody to a peptide and its complex with peptide antigen at 2.8 angstroms

Article Abstract:

Antibodies are molecules that preferentially bind (join) to antigens (foreign molecules), and understanding the antigen-antibody complex so formed can reveal much about the immune system's humoral division, which manufactures antibodies. Do antibodies associate with their antigens in a manner similar to a 'lock and key', or in a manner more like a handshake? Peptides are short segments of amino acids (the 'building blocks' of proteins) that can contain sequences identical to amino acid sequences that are part of large proteins. Such peptides, when injected into animals, can cause the production of antibodies that bind to both the peptide and the much larger protein, yet the mechanisms that allow this to happen are largely unknown. The immune system processes larger antigens into short peptides before they are presented to T cells (a white blood cell of the cellular immune system). Presentation is done by antigen-presenting cells (another type of blood cell), which have on their surface special proteins called MHC (major histocompatibility) proteins. It is possible that T cells recognize antigen in a manner similar to that of antibodies. A report of the structure of an antibody to one peptide, part of the structure of myohemerythrin, is provided. The technical details are discussed. With such structural data in hand, researchers are better equipped to understand how immune recognition occurs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Binding sites (Biochemistry), Active sites (Biochemistry), Antibodies, Immunospecificity

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Floyd Bloom: the next editor-in-chief of Science

Article Abstract:

Floyd Bloom began a career in brain research at the National Institute of Mental Health following medical school. He specialized in the chemical basis of brain function and has since worked at the Salk Institute and the Scripps Research Institute. He will become editor of Science in May 1995.

Officials and employees, Biography, Personalities, Brain research, Science (Periodical), Bloom, Floyd

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Another twist to MHC-peptide recognition

Article Abstract:

Recent research provides understanding in how pH levels control how major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules replace the place- holding molecule CLIP with foreign peptides, the target of the immune response.

Major histocompatibility complex, Peptide separation

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