epitope /ep·i·tope/ (ep´ĭ-tōp) an antigenic determinant (see under determinant ) of known structure.
epitope
determinant [de-ter´mĭ-nant]
ep·i·tope ( p  -t p )n. The surface portion of an antigen capable of eliciting an immune response and of combining with the antibody produced to counter that response. |
epitope
[ep′itōp]
Etymology: Gk epi + topos, place
determinant [de-ter´mĭ-nant]
a factor that establishes the nature of an entity or event.
antigenic determinant a site on the surface of an antigen molecule to which a single antibody molecule binds; generally an antigen has several or many different antigenic determinants and reacts with many different antibodies. Called also epitope.
Antigens contain antigenic determinants (epitopes) and antibodies contain antibody combining sites (paratopes). From Copstead and Banasik, 2000.
hidden determinant an antigenic determinant located in an unexposed region of a molecule so that it is prevented from interacting with receptors on lymphocytes, or with antibody molecules, and is unable to induce an immune response; it may appear following stereochemical alterations of molecular structure.
immunogenic determinant the part of an immunogenic molecule that interacts with a helper T cell in triggering antibody production as opposed to the antigenic determinant or hapten, which interacts with B cells.
epitope
see antigenic determinant.
continuous epitope
contiguous amino acid sequences in a linear array.
discontinuous epitope
one in which amino acids are in close proximity in the folded protein, but distant when unfolded.
epitope
Immunology Any site on a molecule–an antigenic determinant that can evoke antibody formation. See Idiotype, Immunogenicity.
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