Sandbox Reserved 1773: Difference between revisions

The BCR is anchored to the membrane through the transmembrane regions and its interactions. Upon antigen binding, the BCR will undergo a unique structural conformation change that will allow transmission of the signal through the extracellular regions and the cell membrane to elicit an intracellular response. Interaction with a foreign antigen occurs at hyper-variable loop regions and causes the separation of Fab fragments (citation). This structural, conformational change will be transmitted through the heavy chains to the interface of heavy chain 1 and the Iga/ Igb complex. A shifting of interactions and overall conformational changes due to binding will then carry the signal through the Iga/ Igb complex through the membrane and into the cell. This will trigger intracellular signaling that will elicit subsequent production of free antibodies to recognize and target the foreign antigen. Therefore, any improper functioning of one of these regions will lead to improper functioning of the BCR and lessen the immune response as a whole.