General Description
Rabbit IgG is a plasma B cell derived antibody isotype defined by its heavy chain. IgG is the most abundant antibody isotype found in rabbit serum. IgG crosses the placental barrier, is a complement activator and binds to the Fc-receptors on phagocytic cells. The level of IgG may vary with the status of disease or infection.
Immunogold labeling is a technique whereing antibodies, especially secondary antibodies, are labeled with colloidal gold. These gold conjugated antibodies generate electron dense particles that are visable using electron microscopy.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Digestion of IgG by papain results in generation of fragment antigen binding (Fab). Pepsin digestion of IgG results in fragment crystallizable (Fc). Fc regions of IgG antibody have enormous therapeutic potential and are exploited for the development of therapeutic antibodies. IgG1 class is the most abundant and its deficiency results in hypogammaglobulinemia. IgG2 deficiency increases susceptibility to bacterial infections. IgG3 mediates effector functions and IgG4 is associated with asymptomatic infection.
