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variable region

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
variable region
n.
The portion of the amino terminal of an immunoglobulin's heavy and light chains having a variable amino acid sequence.

variable region,
the part of an immunoglobulin in which the amino acid sequence can differ among molecules of that class of immunoglobulin. The variable region includes the antigen-binding site. Compare constant region.

variable region
the N-terminal portion of heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin molecules in which the amino acid sequence varies as a consequence of somatic mutation and recombination during ontogeny of B lymphocytes and also occurring after antigen exposure. The variable amino acid sequence which provides more than 107 different antibody molecules is responsible for the antigen-binding specificity.


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