Immunoglobulin Fragmentation - 6
Outcomes from
fragmentation experiments:
eall basic Ig molecules (monomeric forms) have 2
separate antigen-binding sites (FAB) each containing VL and VH pair
eeach VL - VH pair serves as an independent antigen- binding site
ethe secreted form of IgM contains five monomeric
units - thus 10 separate antigen-binding sites
ethe hinge region of an Ig molecule provides
flexibility which determines how many of the ab=s
antigen-binding sites will bind with epitopes on antigens
ethe location and functions of the Fc portion of the
Ig are separate from that of the FAB region
