Uses
Purified IgG may be used as a reference antigen, standard, blocking agent or coating protein in a variety of immunoassays including ELISA, dot immunobinding, Western immunoblotting, immunodiffusion, immunoprecipitation and immunoelectrophoresis. Other applications include starting materials for the preparation of immunogens and solid-phase immunoadsorbents.
General Description
IgG consists of four isotypes IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4. It contains four polypeptide chains, made of two identical 50 kDa γ heavy (H) chains and two identical 25 kDa κ or λ light (L) chains, which are connected by inter-chain disulfide bonds.
Biochem/physiol Actions
IgG mediates transplacental transport and participates in the secondary immune response. IgG activates the classical pathway of the complement system. It neutralizes virus particles and toxins. IgG plays a key role in antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis. It might be linked to allergy. It has the longest serum half life.
