CATALYTIC ANTIBODY Meaning and
Definition
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A catalytic antibody is a type of protein molecule that possesses both antigen-binding properties and enzymatic activity. Unlike traditional antibodies that primarily function to recognize and bind specific antigens, catalytic antibodies are capable of catalyzing chemical reactions. They are also known as "abzymes", which is a combination of the words antibody and enzyme.
These antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to the presence of certain antigens, such as transition state analogs or haptens, which mimic the transition state of a chemical reaction. The binding of such antigens triggers a conformational change in the antibody, allowing it to adopt an active conformation with catalytic activity.
Catalytic antibodies exhibit a wide range of enzymatic activities, including peroxidase, esterase, hydrolase, and protease-like activities. This enables them to participate in various chemical reactions, such as hydrolysis, oxidation, and reduction, as well as molecular rearrangements. Their catalytic abilities can accelerate reactions by several orders of magnitude.
The discovery and development of catalytic antibodies have significant implications in fields like biotechnology, medicine, and environmental science. For instance, they can be engineered to selectively target and destroy specific molecules involved in disease processes, such as cancer cells or toxic substances, making them potential therapeutic agents. Additionally, they can be employed in the design of novel catalysts for synthetic chemistry, enabling the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly chemical processes.
Common Misspellings for CATALYTIC ANTIBODY
- xatalytic antibody
- vatalytic antibody
- fatalytic antibody
- datalytic antibody
- cztalytic antibody
- cstalytic antibody
- cwtalytic antibody
- cqtalytic antibody
- caralytic antibody
- cafalytic antibody
- cagalytic antibody
- cayalytic antibody
- ca6alytic antibody
- ca5alytic antibody
- catzlytic antibody
- catslytic antibody
- catwlytic antibody
- catqlytic antibody
- catakytic antibody
- catapytic antibody
Etymology of CATALYTIC ANTIBODY
The term "catalytic antibody" is composed of two parts: "catalytic" and "antibody".
1. "Catalytic" refers to the ability of a substance or molecule to accelerate a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. The word "catalytic" comes from the Greek word "katalytikos", which means "able to dissolve".
2. "Antibody" refers to a protein produced by the immune system in response to foreign substances called antigens. The term "antibody" dates back to the late 19th century and is a combination of "anti-" (meaning against) and "body", referring to the defense mechanism against invading substances.
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