Question

Antibodies are Y-shaped molecules that have two identical binding sites. Suppose that you have obtained an antibody that is specific for the extracellular domain of an RTK. When the antibody binds to the RTK, it brings together two RTK molecules. If cells containing the RTK were exposed to the antibody, would you expect the kinase to be activated, inactivated, or unaffected? Explain

Answer 1

The correct answer is - one of three outcomes takes place activation, inactivation and unaffected.

Explanation:

When cells expressing a particular RTK have come in touch with an antibody that binds itself to RTK one of three outcomes takes place; antibody can cause activation, may block activation or did not affect RTK.

Activation - identical antigen-binding sites or domains of an antigen so that possibly bind a receptor site and leads to dimerization of the RTKs.

Block activation - Blocking of activation could be possible somehow by antigen.

No effect - the antibody could bind anywhere other than a domain that does not affect dimerization.

Thus, the correct answer is - one of three outcomes takes place activation, inactivation and unaffected.