title: The Biochemical Properties of Antibodies and Their Fragments.
abstract: Immunoglobulins (Ig) or antibodies are powerful molecular recognition tools that can be used to identify minute quantities of a given target analyte. Their antigen-binding properties define both the sensitivity and selectivity of an immunoassay. Understanding the biochemical properties of this class of protein will provide users with the knowledge necessary to select the appropriate antibody composition to maximize immunoassay results. Here we define the general biochemical properties of antibodies and their similarities and differences, explain how these properties influence their functional relationship to an antigen target, and describe a method for the enzymatic fragmentation of antibodies into smaller functional parts.
authors.affiliation: Produce Safety and Microbiology Unit (PSM), Western Regional Research Center (WRRC), Pacific West Area (PWA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA, 94710, USA, Robert.hnasko@ars.usda.gov.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hnasko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D000941:Antigens / Q000737:chemistry; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity / Q000379:methods*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D050440:Immunoglobulin Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010206:Papain / Q000737:chemistry; D011485:Protein Binding; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D000939:Epitopes; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D050440:Immunoglobulin Subunits; D013205:Staphylococcal Protein A; D010206:Papain