immunoglobulin A

immunoglobulin A
immunoglobulin im`mu*no*glob"ulin ([i^]m`m[-u]*n[-o]*gl[o^]b"[-u]*l[i^]n) n. (1953) any one of a class of globular proteins which are antibodies and are produced by the immune system in animals.

Note: The immunoglobulins form a series of related proteins which are each composed of two pairs of polypeptide chains, called heavy (H) and light (L, meaning of lower molecular weight), all linked together by disulfide bonds. They are subdivided on the basis of the structural and antigenic properties of the H chains into four subgroups, {immunoglobulin G} (IgG), {immunoglobulin A} (IgA), {immunoglobulin M} (IgM), and {immunoglobulin D} (IgD). They are divided also into subclasses. Both H and L chains of anny given class and subclass have regions which are of constant structure within that class, as well as regions which are of variable structure. The variable regions impart the ability to recognize and bind to specific molecular structures, thus providing the organism the capacity to recognize and defend itself against the harmful effects of substances foreign to the body. --Stedman

Syn: Ig. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Immunoglobulin A — (IgA) is an antibody playing a critical role in mucosal immunity. More IgA is produced in mucosal linings than all other types of antibody combined. [cite journal |author=S Fagarasan and T Honjo |title=Intestinal IgA Synthesis: Regulation of… …   Wikipedia

  • immunoglobulin — im mu*no*glob ulin ([i^]m m[ u]*n[ o]*gl[o^]b [ u]*l[i^]n) n. (1953) any one of a class of globular proteins which are antibodies and are produced by the immune system in animals. Note: The immunoglobulins form a series of related proteins which… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • immunoglobulin D — immunoglobulin im mu*no*glob ulin ([i^]m m[ u]*n[ o]*gl[o^]b [ u]*l[i^]n) n. (1953) any one of a class of globular proteins which are antibodies and are produced by the immune system in animals. Note: The immunoglobulins form a series of related… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • immunoglobulin G — immunoglobulin im mu*no*glob ulin ([i^]m m[ u]*n[ o]*gl[o^]b [ u]*l[i^]n) n. (1953) any one of a class of globular proteins which are antibodies and are produced by the immune system in animals. Note: The immunoglobulins form a series of related… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • immunoglobulin M — immunoglobulin im mu*no*glob ulin ([i^]m m[ u]*n[ o]*gl[o^]b [ u]*l[i^]n) n. (1953) any one of a class of globular proteins which are antibodies and are produced by the immune system in animals. Note: The immunoglobulins form a series of related… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Immunoglobulin M — Immunoglobulin M, or IgM for short, is a basic antibody that is present on B cells. It is the primary antibody against A and B antigens on red blood cells. IgM is by far the physically largest antibody in the human circulatory system. tructure… …   Wikipedia

  • Immunoglobulin G — (IgG) is a monomeric immunoglobulin, built of two heavy chains γ and two light chains. Each IgG has two antigen binding sites. It is the most abundant immunoglobulin and is approximately equally distributed in blood and in tissue liquids,… …   Wikipedia

  • Immunoglobulin D — (IgD) is an antibody isotype that makes up about 1% of proteins in the plasma membranes of immature B lymphocytes where it is usually coexpressed with another cell surface antibody called IgM. IgD is also produced in a secreted form that is found …   Wikipedia

  • immunoglobulin — immunoglobulin. См. иммуноглобулин. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • immunoglobulin D — n IGD …   Medical dictionary

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