heavy chains

Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Financial, Encyclopedia.

heavy chains

The large polypeptide chains of antibodies.

heavy chains

Polypeptides forming the main part of the Y structure of an ANTIBODY, including the stalk and the inner edges of the two upper arms. Each heavy chain contains one variable region and three or four fixed domains. Attached to the outer side of the upper arm parts of the heavy chains are the two LIGHT CHAINS. The area between the free upper ends of the two pairs of chains is known as the N terminal. This is the antigen combining site and is the variable part of the antibody allowing for the enormous range of different specificities.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

References in periodicals archive ?

The theoretical search for this region in the retrieved amino acid sequences of proteins indicated that this peptide could be sourced to myosin heavy chains (238239, 669-670, 1604-1605, 1819-1819, and 1839-1840), actin (211-212), and troponin T (38-39).

Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity and Antioxidant Properties of Cryptides Derived from Natural Actomyosin of Catla catla Using Papain

HLA-B*27 is one of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules that consist of a heavy chain (a-chain) and [beta]-micro globulin ([beta]2m).

Targeted Delivery of the HLA-B*27-Binding Peptide into the Endoplasmic Reticulum Suppresses the IL-23/IL-17 Axis of Immune Cells in Spondylarthritis

In contrast, the cell surface HLA class I antigens were not detectable, and yet the cytoplasmic [[beta].sub.2]m and HLA class I heavy chains were stained with moderate intensity in the tumor lesions from which the HLA class I-negative sHCC29 and sHCC63 cell lines were derived.

Total HLA Class I Antigen Loss with the Downregulation of Antigen-Processing Machinery Components in Two Newly Established Sarcomatoid Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines

Control of myosin heavy chain expression: interaction of hypothyroidism and hindlimb suspension.

Association analysis of myosin heavy-chain genes mRNA transcription with the corresponding proteins expression of longissimus muscle in growing pigs

This painting, Untitled, 2011, depicts a facsimile castle wall and tower buttressed by a scanty scaffold and anchored to a bright-green platform with heavy chains. A ramp at the bottom of the composition leads up to a circular sandpit marked with a pink flag.

Amelie Bertrand: semiose galerie

Private idiotypes located on light and heavy chains of human myeloma proteins characterized by monoclonal antibodies.

Production and characterization of mouse monoclonal antibodies recognizing human Pan-IgG specific conformational or linear epitopes

(9,10) It was found that dynein molecule, especially from the outer arms, of protists consists of three heavy chains with three corresponding "heads", (11) while that of animals consists of only two heavy chains with two corresponding heads, (12) together with several intermediate chains and light chains.

Tubulin-dynein system in flagellar and ciliary movement

Sunder was rocking gently - typical behaviour by such an animal under stress - with all four legs shackled by heavy chains.

Sir Paul fights for tortured elephant

Last week when we visited he was in the dark of a windowless shed, rocking gently, legs shackled by heavy chains.

MACCA'S JUMBO; Beatle begs: Free Sunder from agony

Normal immunoglobulins (Ig) consist of heavy chains (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE) and light chains (kappa or lambda).

Non-IgE-mediated allergic response

Wearing sunglasses, a black TShirt with shiny, heavy chains around his neck, Tinchy, bobbed around Liverpool's O2 Academy 2 on the first night of his Rollercoaster tour.