Immunoprecipitation
Immunoprecipitation (pronounced: im·mu·no·pre·cip·i·ta·tion) is a method that enables the purification of a protein. This technique is used to isolate a particular protein from a complex mixture using an antibody that specifically binds to that particular protein. This process can be used to see what other proteins might bind to the protein of interest, or to raise an immune response in a host organism.
Etymology
The term "Immunoprecipitation" is derived from the words "Immuno-", referring to the immune system, and "precipitation", which in this context refers to the process of converting a substance into a solid from a solution.
Procedure
The procedure of Immunoprecipitation involves several steps. First, a sample containing a mixture of proteins is incubated with an antibody specific for the protein of interest. This forms an Antibody-antigen complex. The complex is then pulled out of the mixture, often using Protein A/G beads that bind to the constant region of the antibody. The beads are then washed to remove any non-specifically bound proteins. Finally, the protein of interest is eluted from the beads and can be analyzed further.
Related Terms
- Antibody: A protein produced by the body's immune system when it detects harmful substances, called antigens.
- Antigen: Any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it.
- Protein A/G: Recombinant fusion proteins that bind to mammalian immunoglobulins.
- Elution: The process of extracting one material from another by washing with a solvent.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Immunoprecipitation
- Wikipedia's article - Immunoprecipitation
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