mimotope

mimotope

A novel peptide sequence which immunologically mimics an antigen’s epitope and has a 3-dimensional conformation, but not sequence homology, similar to the antigenic site. Mimotopes evoke an identical antibody response, and thus are potentially useful in developing vaccines.

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mimotope

, mimetope (mĭm′ŏ-tōp″) [From mim(ic) + (epi)tope]

A small peptide that elicits a stronger antibody response than the polysaccharide or nucleic acid antigen that it is designed to mimic. Polysaccharide and nucleic acid antigens are often weakly immunogenic.

Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners