hapten /hap·ten/ (hap´ten) partial antigen; a specific nonprotein substance which does not itself elicit antibody formation but does elicit the immune response when coupled with a carrier protein.hapten´ic
hapten
hapten [hap´ten]
hapten (hap´t
n),
hap·ten (h p t n)n. A substance that is capable of reacting with a specific antibody but cannot induce the formation of antibodies unless bound to a carrier protein or other molecule. Also called incomplete antigen, partial antigen. |
hapten
[hap′tən]
Etymology: Gk, haptein, to grasp
a nonproteinaceous substance that acts as an antigen by combining with particular bonding sites on an antibody. Unlike a true antigen, it does not induce the formation of antibodies. A hapten bonded to a carrier protein may cause an immune response. Also called haptene [hap′tēn] .
hapten [hap´ten]
a small molecule, not antigenic by itself, that can react with specific antibodies and elicit the formation of such antibodies when conjugated to a larger antigenic molecule, usually a protein, called in this context the carrier. Antibody production involves activation of B lymphocytes by the hapten and helper T cells by the carrier.
hapten (hap´t
n),n a nonproteinaceous substance that acts as an antigen by combining with particular bonding sites on an antibody. Unlike a true antigen, it does not induce the formation of antibodies. A hapten bonded to a carrier protein may induce an immune response. Also called
haptene.
haptene.
hapten, haptene
a small-molecular-weight either inorganic or organic molecule that alone is not antigenic but which when linked to a carrier protein, e.g. albumin, is antigenic; the antibody so produced will react with the hapten alone.
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