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.
S R
SR
Krystek
J A
JA
Dias
L E
LE
Reichert
T T
TT
Andersen
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