Epitopes

Definition

Epitopes are specific regions on an antigen that are recognized and bound by antibodies or T-cell receptors. They play a crucial role in the immune response by allowing the immune system to detect and target pathogens.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Epitopes can be either linear, consisting of a sequence of amino acids, or conformational, formed by amino acids brought together in the folded protein structure.
2. Each epitope is specific to a particular antibody or T-cell receptor, which ensures precise targeting of pathogens.
3. The binding affinity between an epitope and its corresponding antibody or T-cell receptor determines the strength of the immune response.
4. A single antigen can have multiple epitopes, enabling it to be recognized by different antibodies or T-cells simultaneously.
5. The diversity of epitopes is generated through genetic recombination and somatic hypermutation processes in B-cells.

Review Questions

• What is the difference between linear and conformational epitopes?
• How does the specificity of an epitope contribute to the immune response?
• Why can a single antigen have multiple epitopes?

Related terms

Antigen: A substance that induces an immune response by being recognized as foreign by the immune system.

Antibody: A protein produced by B-cells that binds specifically to an epitope on an antigen to neutralize or mark it for destruction.

T-cell Receptor (TCR): A molecule found on T-cells that recognizes and binds to specific epitopes presented by MHC molecules on antigen-presenting cells.