Immunoglobulins

Immunoglobulins are plasma proteins which include all antibody molecules. Members of the immunoglobulin superfamily share structural and genetic features with immunoglobulin molecules and contain at least one immunoglobulin domain. An immunoglobulin domain is made of two b-pleated sheets held together by a disulfide bond. The vascular endothelium expresses molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily which act as counter-receptors for leukocyte integrins. Two immunoglobulins which are particularly important in the cascade are Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1) or CD54 and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1).

ICAM-1 | VCAM-1


3-D Structures of Immunoglobulins: Search results of the Protein Data Bank at Brookhaven National Laboratory using the pdblite search query to locate the structures of integrins and immunoglobulins. From the list of possible immunoglobulin molecules, choose the one of interst, and choose "View/Analyze/Save Macromolecule." Then, choose a method to view the molecule. RasMol is the suggested option for 3-D visualization.


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