Antibodies

Abstract

Antibodies belong to the family of macromolecules known as immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins are glycoproteins which are present at 12–15 mg/ml in the blood serum, nearly one fifth of its total protein content. Antibodies are able to bind their specific antigens by paratopes located on the Fab fragment, to specifically bind some proteins (Staphylococcusprotein A, complement or cell receptors) on their Fc portion and to bind non-specific supports such as plastic vessels and nitrocellulose filters. All these properties explain why antibodies can be very useful, powerful and highly selective reagents in immunoassays.