Question

In: Biology

The current estimate is that mammalian b cells are capable of producing 1010 different immunoglobulins, each...

The current estimate is that mammalian b cells are capable of producing 1010 different immunoglobulins, each with a different hypervariable region. Explain the immunological consequence of this generation of diversity.

Solutions

Expert Solution

B cells secrete immunoglobulins (antibodies) which defend us against infections. In mammals, B cells produce five classes of antibodies which differ in their biological properties, functional locations and mediates a specific biological response following antigen binding. Hypervariable region (HVR, sites within the nuclear or mitochondrial DNA which have nucleotide repeats or substitutions) forms the antigen binding site, are found in both light and heavy chains and contributes to the specificity of each antibody.

Antibodies are proteins encoded by genes. Mammalian B cells are able to produce several different immunoglobulins due to the presence several genes in B cells. Moreover, the production of HVR of light and heavy antibody genes by DNA rearrangement also results in antibody diversity. Immunoglobulin light chains are encoded by V and J gene segments. Immunoglobulin heavy chains are also encoded by V and J gene segments, with additional diversity provided by D gene segment. Hence, the recombination of V, J, and D gene segments produce many variable domains.

Immunoglobulin diversity is achieved by following mechanisms:

  • Somatic recombination to make a complete V region gene.
  • Combinational diversity due to random recombination of V, J, and D gene segments
  • Gene conversion
  • Somatic mutation

Thus, combination of all these diversity mechanisms results in a vast repertoire of antibody specificity from limited number of genes which results in the several variations and possible combinations having vast diversity of unique antigen-binding sites. Hence, even with relatively small number of antibody genes successful recognition and eradication of different varieties of microbes is made possible.


Related Solutions

match the names of tissue cells to the best definition A. cartilage producing cells B. the...
match the names of tissue cells to the best definition A. cartilage producing cells B. the most abundant skeletal cartilage C. contain stretch elastic fibers and can withstand repeated bending D. Blastocytes E. Osteoclasts F. The cells responsible for the early stages of endochodral ossification. G: Area where bone longitudinal growth takes place definitions; chondrocytes hyaline cartilage breaks down bone epiphyseal plate elastic cartilage bone forming cells
1) Most cells are capable of____________ a) pinocytosis b) phagocytosis - Can you explain this?
1) Most cells are capable of____________ a) pinocytosis b) phagocytosis - Can you explain this?
Which specific type of T cells is involved in the clonal selection of antibody-producing B cells?
Which specific type of T cells is involved in the clonal selection of antibody-producing B cells?
Describe the different regions of the mammalian kidney and the function of each region. Describe how...
Describe the different regions of the mammalian kidney and the function of each region. Describe how filtration occurs in mammalian kidneys.
You are to prepare a cost estimate for producing 1000 assemblies. Each assembly consists of a...
You are to prepare a cost estimate for producing 1000 assemblies. Each assembly consists of a cylindrical tube, two identical end covers, and a purchased bracket. The brackets cost $8.25 each. Each tube costs $180 for the casting and requires 2.5 standard hours of machining. It requires 12 hours to set up the machining operations and a setup is good for the machining of 500 castings. The end covers are produced on a punch press that requires 1.2 hours per...
What ultimately characterizes different cells from each other? What makes neurons different from immune cells vs....
What ultimately characterizes different cells from each other? What makes neurons different from immune cells vs. kidney cells, etc.?
What ultimately characterizes different cells from each other? What makes neurons different from immune cells vs....
What ultimately characterizes different cells from each other? What makes neurons different from immune cells vs. kidney cells, etc.?
(A) How do cancer cells get the hallmarks/skills of cancer? (B) Do different cancers get the...
(A) How do cancer cells get the hallmarks/skills of cancer? (B) Do different cancers get the hallmarks/skills of cancer in the same way? Why or why not? (C) Do different cancers get the hallmarks/skills of cancer in the same order? Why or why not?
Light from three different lasers (A, B, and C), each with a different wavelength, was shined...
Light from three different lasers (A, B, and C), each with a different wavelength, was shined onto the same metal surface. Laser A produced no photoelectrons. Lasers C and B both produced photoelectrons, but the photoelectrons produced by laser C had a greater velocity than those produced by laser B. Arrange the lasers in order of increasing wavelength.
Light from three different lasers (A, B, and C), each with a different wavelength, was shined...
Light from three different lasers (A, B, and C), each with a different wavelength, was shined on the same metal surface. Laser A produced no photoelectrons. Lasers B and C both produced photoelectrons, but those produced by B had a greater velocity than those produced by C. Arrange the lasers in order of increasing wavelength. If A didn't produce any photoelectrons, Wouldn't it just be a straight line with the highest frequency? And to have a greater velocity would that...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT