Not Only Immunoglobulins, C-Reactive Protein Too
Document Type
Note
Publication Date
12-31-2013
Description
The purpose of this letter is to expand a discussion, published recently in Molecular Immunology, on the post-secretion gain of function by immunoglobulins. It was reported that some circulating IgG molecules in all healthy individuals acquire novel antigen-binding specificity after exposure to conditions that change protein conformation, such as acidic pH. Another protein, C-reactive protein, also acquires novel ligand-binding specificity post-secretion after a switch from its native pentameric conformation to non-native pentameric conformation. Thus, that the functions of a protein depend upon its alternate structural states, and therefore on the surrounding milieu, is a more general phenomenon for some ancient molecules of the immune system than previously thought.
Citation Information
Agrawal, Alok. 2013. Not Only Immunoglobulins, C-Reactive Protein Too. Molecular Immunology. Vol.56(4). 561-562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molimm.2013.05.234 PMID: 23911413 ISSN: 0161-5890
