Sandbox Reserved 1787: Difference between revisions
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===Significance and Background=== | ===Significance and Background=== | ||
The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_immune_system adaptive immune response] possessed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrate vertebrate] animals owes much of its function to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_cell B cells]. These specialized immune cells produce [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody antibodies] and | The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_immune_system adaptive immune response] possessed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vertebrate vertebrate] animals owes much of its function to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_cell B cells]. These specialized immune cells produce [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antibody antibodies] and immunoglobulins (Ig), the membrane bound equivalent to antibodies. B cells can produce a variety of Ig compounds including [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_G IgG], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_A IgA], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_E IgE], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_D IgD], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunoglobulin_M IgM]. These antibodies and Ig compounds bind to specific compounds called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antigen antigens]. When an IgM combines with a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-cell_receptor B cell receptor] (BCR), it can then send a signal in the form of a conformational change through the B cell membrane to stimulate the production of more antibodies that recognize that antigen. | ||
The structure of the IgM BCR complex was determined by two research groups using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryogenic_electron_microscopy Cryo EM]. They also determined the structure of IgG. | The structure of the IgM BCR complex was determined by two research groups using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryogenic_electron_microscopy Cryo EM]. They also determined the structure of IgG. | ||
