Prediction of antigenic sites in follicle-stimulating hormones: difference profiles enhance antigenicity prediction methods.
A method of predicting antigenic sites in proteins using only the information provided by primary structure has been reported. The basis of this method is that hydrophilic regions of a polypeptide should contain antigenic sites, since hydrophobic sites should be buried and inaccessible. However, if the antigen is homologous with a naturally occurring polypeptide in the immunized animal, the immune system may not recognize the predicted antigenic site as non-self. Therefore, a modification of the prediction scheme has been developed which can simultaneously examine a protein and its homolog. This method would predict as epitopes those sites that are hydrophilic (accessible) and unrelated to the host homolog (non-self). A computer program has been developed to compare polypeptides and generate difference profiles for antigenic sites. The method has been used to distinguish the antigenic determinants of ovine and human FSH.
Krystek
S R
SR
Dias
J A
JA
Reichert
L E
LE
Andersen
T T
TT
D000818:Animals; D002268:Carboxypeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000276:immunology*; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior / Q000276:immunology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000276:immunology; D011817:Rabbits; D012756:Sheep; D012984:Software; D013045:Species Specificity
D000939:Epitopes; D015292:Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit; D007106:Immune Sera; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010908:Pituitary Hormones, Anterior; D011388:Prolactin; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002268:Carboxypeptidases; C022633:serine carboxypeptidase