Phylogenetic cross-reactivity
Definition
The reaction of an antiserum with proteins from non-target species whose proteins are structurally similar due to shared evolutionary ancestry. Cross-reactivity intensity is proportional to taxonomic closeness: a human antiserum reacts more strongly with gorilla serum than with cow serum.
Related terms
- Absorption
- The purification technique in which a crude antiserum is mixed with antigen preparations from cross-reacting species. Cross-reactive antibodies bind those antigens and...
- Adjuvant
- A substance co-administered with an antigen to amplify the immune response. Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA), containing killed mycobacteria in mineral oil, is...
- Antiserum
- Serum collected from an immunised animal containing antibodies directed against a specific antigen or group of antigens. In species identification, antiserum raised...
- Monospecific antiserum
- An antiserum that reacts exclusively with proteins from the target species after absorption against all cross-reacting species has been performed and verified....
- Titre
- The concentration of antibody in a solution, expressed as the reciprocal of the highest dilution at which agglutination is still visible. A...
Explained in
- Antisera Production, Standardisation, and Cross-ReactivityThe reaction of an antiserum with proteins from non-target species whose proteins are structurally similar due to shared evolutionary ancestry. Cross-reactivit...