Question

1) Heavy chain antibodies have major implications for therapeutic purposes because _________.

A) they have smaller variable domains and can be purified more easily

B) they only have heavy chains and no light chains and are more easily engineered

C) nanobodies are easily constructed from the constant regions of these antibodies

D) they are derived from camels and related animals, and there would not be recognized by the human immune system.

E) they recognize much smaller antigens

Answer 1

Heavy chain antibodies with a single variable domain are also known as Nanobodies. First identified that camelidae (camels and llamas) contain heavy chain only antibodies with a single variable domain and two constant domains. These antibodies have the same antigen binding capacity as that of a regular antibody containing both heavy and light chains. They are highly stable, do not cause allergic response in the target and therefore hold lot of promise to be used for therapeutic purpose such as in treatment of cancers etc.

Statement B - they have only heavy chains and no light chains and can easily be engineered is correct